Honorary stumbling block dedicated to Gerhard Voss in Reinickendorf

Honorary stumbling block dedicated to Gerhard Voss in Reinickendorf

On September 26, 2025, a stumbling block for Gerhard Voss was laid in Berlin-Reinickendorf. This memorial event took place at Eichborndamm 238 and was attended by numerous interested parties and supporters of the Stolperstein initiative. District mayor Emine Demirbüken-Wegner (CDU) gave a moving speech in this context. Gerhard Voss was recognized not only as a neighbor, but also as a person from the city.

The visibility of the Voss name in society was emphasized during the ceremony. The stumbling block symbolizes the memories of the stories behind the names of victims of National Socialism, which are often forgotten. The initiative to relocate the stumbling block was supported in particular by the commitment of the students of the Georg-Herwegh-Gymnasium.

Details about the memorial event

The event took place at 11:00 a.m. and was part of a broader memorial project. There is also a history laboratory on Eichborndamm, which was set up by the Reinickendorf Museum. Numerous sponsorship projects are implemented here. One of them, “My Dear Child,” was initiated in 2018 with the artist Karen Scheper. This project enables students to sponsor children who were murdered in the former “children's department” of the “municipal mental hospital”.

The story of Gerhard Voss is tragic. Born on March 9, 1943, he suffered from significant health problems in infancy. At the age of two months he was admitted to the “children's specialist ward” where his condition was described as poor. Unfortunately, he died on December 3, 1944 after experimental studies.

Culture of remembrance and social challenges

The importance of remembering the victims of National Socialism is emphasized by various institutions. The memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin and the “Citizens on the Move” monument in front of the Humboldt Forum are central places of remembrance. Despite the numerous memorial sites and initiatives, the culture of remembrance of the Nazi regime represents an ongoing challenge, even more than 30 years after reunification. It remains important to learn the lessons of history to counter discrimination and xenophobia.

After the stumbling block was laid, those present had the opportunity to take part in a public tour of the memorial rooms. This tour conveyed the stories of individual patients' fates and deepened the understanding of the historical background.

The Stolperstein initiative and the commitment of the population underline the continued relevance of remembering the past. In order to sensitize future generations, it is essential to preserve historical places and actively promote engagement with the past.