Stumbling Stones Antoniuslaan 37

These brass memorial plaques (Stolpersteine or stumbling stones) commemorate:
FLORENTINE MAYER-STEINHARDT (born 1856, died 31 August 1942 Venlo)
THEODOR MAYER (born 1896, murdered 28 February 1943 Auschwitz)
STEPHAN HIRSCHBERGER (born 1891, murdered 31 August 1942 Venlo)
SELMA HIRSCHBERGER-MAYER (born 1884, murdered 31 August 1942 Auschwitz)
ERICH HIRSCHBERGER (born 1922, murdered 27 January 1945 Müllmen/Wierzch)

These people were also refugees from Germany. Many of their relatives settled in Venlo. With family members and associates, they operated the Venlo clothing factory, which at its peak employed 150 workers. In 1942, when anti-Jewish measures in the Netherlands increasingly restricted the lives of Jews, fear struck them. Even Stephan's actions in World War I, could not save them. Although some family members were seriously ill and stayed in the hospital, this could not save them either. Selma and Stephan were murdered in Auschwitz on August 31, 1943. Dina Steinhardt died at St. Joseph's Hospital; because Jews had to abide by a curfew, no one could be with her.

All five family members received a tripstone today. None survived the war. Their names are back in Blerick, forever this time. On Antonius Avenue they lie, in front of the house that would be their last known home address.

These Stolpersteine lie here for Jewish war victims, persecuted, deported and/or murdered in World War II.

"Stolpersteine" is an art project for Europe by Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims of National Socialism (Nazism). Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) are small, 10x10cm brass plaques placed in the sidewalk in front of a residence of (usually Jewish) victims of the Nazis. Each plaque is provided with the name of the victim, date of birth and the fate of these people. By doing this, Gunter Demnig gives an individual memorial to each victim. One stone, one name, one person. He cites the Talmud: "A human being is forgotten only when his or her name is forgotten."

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Source

• Text: Herdenken in Venlo
• Photos: Herdenken in Venlo
• Florentine Mayer-Steinhardt | Joods Monument
• Theodor Mayer | Joods Monument
• Stephan Hirschberger | Joods Monument
• Selma Hirschberger-Mayer | Joods Monument
• Erich Hirschberger | Joods Monument