Friedenau, Berlin – “The memorial stones initiative in Stierstraße” delivered the following message regarding the desecration of the memorial stones that were recently laid in Stierstraße: “an attack instigated by the extreme right, on the memorial stones that were just recently placed in Stierstraße and in Fregestraße in Friedenau.”
In the presence of many of the neighborhood inhabitants a first doorsill was inaugurated in the place where a small synagogue was located in Stierstraße in Berlin, as well as 10 memorial stones in Fregestraße. Rabbi Daniel Alter delivered a speech and said the Kadish prayer. The ceremony was also accompanied by music playing; later on 10 new memorial stones were inaugurated in Fregestraße and in Wilhelm-Hauff Straße. Some of the participants had arrived from Jerusalem to attend the ceremony. The members of the initiative group read the biographies of the Jews that had been murdered or deported. Dr. Sibyll Klotz, who is in charge of the health and wellness portfolio in the municipality, also attended the ceremony. In the meeting that took place at the Literaturhotel Friedenau following the ceremony, thanks were expressed to the donors and especially to Mayor Angelika Schötler and to the Tempelhof‑Schöneberg district council.
At night, unknown people destroyed the doorsill and most of the memorial stones in Stierstraße and in Fregestraße. Black paint is now covering the doorsill’s gilded brass surfaces and the stepping stones.
We are shocked and saddened but we will not go back on our commitment. They will not succeed in silencing us.
Petra Fritsche of the memorial stones initiative in Stierstraße.
