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Stolpersteine 204: Remembering The Eisenstädt Family – Gunter Demnig at work

Stolpersteine Berlin 204: In memory of Kurt Eisenstädt, Käte Eisenstädt and Berl Eisenstädt (Erkelenzdamm 9)

On 28 March I ticked a very important item off my to do list when I saw Gunter Demnig at work laying Stolpersteine in Berlin.  Three Stolpersteine were placed outside Erkelenzdamm 9 in Kreuzberg in memory of Kurt Eisenstädt, Käte Eisenstädt and Berl Eisenstädt.

I got to witness these Stolpersteine being laid because one of the stones, the one for Berl Eisenstädt, was sponsored by NotMs Parker of the wonderful Kreuzberg’d blog.

It was clear to the small group gathered at Erkelenzdamm 9 just how much the laying of these memorials to the Eisenstädt family meant to NotMs Parker.

Gunter Demnig holding a Stolperstein outside Erkelenzdamm 9 in Berlin Kreuzberg

She told us that she had come across Berl Eisenstädt’s name in a list of Jews transported to Auschwitz, where he was murdered shortly after his second birthday.  The proximity of his age to that of her own sons at the time had touched her deeply.  Knowing of Gunter Demnig’s Stolpersteine initiative she was determined that others should know the fate of this little boy.

As explained on Kreuzberg’d in the post Stolperstein For The Little Berlin Eisenstädt, what she was not aware of at the time was that Berl’s parents’ fate had been discovered by two other people, who had also requested Stolpersteine.

Gunter Demnig digging a hole to lay Stolpersteine in memory of the Eisenstädt family outside Erkelenzdamm 9 in Berlin Kreuzberg

Gunter Demnig enlarging a hole to lay Stolpersteine in memory of the Eisenstädt family outside Erkelenzdamm 9 in Berlin Kreuzberg

Gunter Demnig laying Stolpersteine in memory of the Eisenstädt family outside Erkelenzdamm 9 in Berlin Kreuzberg

Gunter Demnig sweeps a newly laid group of Stolpersteine in memory of the Eisenstädt family outside Erkelenzdamm 9 in Berlin Kreuzberg

You can see more about the Stolpersteine at Erkelenzdamm 9 on Kreuzberg’d.

If you’re wondering what Stolpersteine are and would like to know more about the project check out my first Stolpersteine post.

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3 Responses to Stolpersteine 204: Remembering The Eisenstädt Family – Gunter Demnig at work

  1. Lesley 22 April, 2013 at 08:46 #

    I’ve always wondered about the process behind the laying of these stones – thanks for elaborating. Hoping I can make it to a ceremony in the future.

    • andberlin 22 April, 2013 at 09:12 #

      If you’re on Twitter there are 2 accounts @_Stolpersteine_ and @Stolpersteine_B that occasionally tweet about Gunter Demnig’s whereabouts.

  2. Mandi | No Apathy Allowed 10 April, 2014 at 18:07 #

    What a wonderful post and series! I spent this morning polishing Stolpersteine here in Bremen as part of a volunteer effort. I think the Stolpersteine are an incredibly moving attempt to forge a connection between the present and the past. So cool that you were able to be present for the installation process!

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