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Stumbling Stones Matthäusplatz 2

These memorial stones (Stolpersteine or stumbling blocks) commemorate:
* Josef Lebenstein, born 1886, fled to Holland 1938, interned at Westerbork, deported 1943, murdered 1944 in Auschwitz.
* Paula Lebenstein née Friedman, born 1894, fled to Holland 1938, interned at Westerbork, deported 1943, murdered 1944 in Auschwitz.
* Günter Lebenstein, born 1928, fled to Holland 1938, interned at Westerbork, deported 1943, murdered in Auschwitz.
* Herta Münzer née Lebenstein, born 1923, fled to Holland 1938, interned at Westerbork, deported 1943, murdered 1944 in Auschwitz.
* Peter Münzer, born 1943, born in Westerbork camp, deported 1943, murdered 1944 in Auschwitz.

Josef and Paula were the parents of Günter and Herta. The month after Kristallnacht, the four moved to Amsterdam and lived on Waterlooplein, where they felt safe. Herta married Werner Münzer. The five were then forced to Westerbork, where Herta and Werner’s son Peter was born. He was deported with the others to Auschwitz. Of the six, only Werner survived Auschwitz; he emigrated eventually to the US.

In many other cities and villages, mainly in Germany but also in other European countries, the memorials also can be found. There are already many thousands of these plaques and their number is still counting. Almost all Stolpersteine are laid by the German artist himself, Gunter Demnig.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

  • Text: Fedor de Vries & Anne Palmer
  • Photos: Jens-Erik Janke

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