Discovering Stolpersteine in Amsterdam: A Hidden Holocaust Memorial
While wandering a quiet residential street in Amsterdam, Carol and I noticed three small brass plaques embedded in the brick sidewalk. We stopped to read them and realized we had come upon Stolpersteine in Amsterdam—part of a quiet, citywide memorial to Holocaust victims.
The moment caught us off guard. What began as an ordinary walk became a deeply personal encounter with history, and with lives lost too soon.
These were no ordinary markers. They are part of a remarkable memorial project—one that transforms the sidewalks of Europe into places of remembrance. A simple glance downward reveals the names and fates of individuals who once lived on that very street, now remembered in silence underfoot.
What Are Stolpersteine?
The plaques we found are called Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones.” These small, hand-installed brass memorials were created by German artist Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. Each Stolperstein is placed in front of the last freely chosen residence of a Jewish person—or other persecuted individuals—before they were arrested or deported by the Nazis.
More than 100,000 of these stones now lie scattered across Europe, making it the world’s largest decentralized Holocaust memorial. The goal is quiet but powerful: to return names, faces, and dignity to those who were stolen from history.
Visitors today often encounter Stolpersteine in Amsterdam, Berlin, and dozens of other European cities—always in front of homes, never in museums.
To learn more about the project’s history and global reach, visit the Stolperstein Wikipedia page.
The Jacobowitz Family of Amsterdam
The three plaques we discovered were for members of the Jacobowitz family—Ernst, Julia, and their infant daughter Renée. The inscriptions, in Dutch, tell a heartbreaking story:
- ERNST JACOBOWITZ
Born: 1906
Deported: 1942, from Westerbork
Murdered: 16 August 1942, Auschwitz - JULIA JACOBOWITZ–JASLOWITZER
Born: 1907
Deported: 1942, from Westerbork
Murdered: 17 July 1942, Auschwitz - RENÉE JACOBOWITZ
Born: 8 May 1942
Deported: 1942, from Westerbork
Murdered: 17 July 1942, Auschwitz
Julia and Renée were murdered on the same day. Renée was just over two months old.
There’s no plaque for a grave. There’s no monument with grandeur. Just these brass tiles, polished by the steps of thousands of passersby, whispering the stories that must never be forgotten.
Travel That Touches the Soul
We’ve been fortunate to explore the beauty of Europe’s grand cities, savor world-class cuisine, and cruise through scenic landscapes—but sometimes, it’s the quietest corners that leave the deepest impression.
Our encounter with Stolpersteine in Amsterdam reminded us that some of the most meaningful travel moments aren’t found in museums—they’re found in quiet places where memory lives in the open air.
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