We took a group picture after the placing of the stones and our program. It truly was a meaningful experience. I say that because I was the one who dreamed this whole thing up, wrote and gave the presentation. In Amsterdam, because that's where it HAD to be. We were placing a stolpersteine (stumbling stone) at the last address of the David Baumann, including his wife Marta, son Lothar and also his in-laws. In the picture, Rabbi ten Brink (who we engaged to participate in the ceremony) is right front. Back left is neighbor Ted. The rest at all of us, family members and some friends. We came early, the Amsterdam city workers came and made quick work of the installation. I talked about the members of the family, my sister sang, we read the statements of some who couldn't attend. I talked about how this related to my relatives in the US. Rabbi made some comments, saying as I had mentioned that this was now the final resting place of this family. He also led a kaddush.
These attractive apartment blocks were built in 1937, considered an upper middle class neighborhood. Half a block from a canal. They must have been new when the Baumann family moved in. I worry about Marta, her only child deported and then her husband and parents, leaving her until she also was deported to Auschwitz.
But we were here for them on this day. When I found out, I told my cousin Maryann (center front) "we must place a stolperstein for this family. We must. If we don't do it, nobody will, it's our Obligation."
She agreed and, nine years later, here we are. Bearing witness.
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