A poignant silence hangs in the air. Before you stands the Albert Stone a sobering memorial. This unassuming stone isn’t just a rock. It represents a life a man a surgeon who navigated the tumultuous waters of the 20th century. Albert Salomon. His name echoes through history. He was a prominent surgeon in Berlin. He pioneered mammography an innovative technique for cancer treatment. He was internationally renowned for his expertise.
Albert Salomon’s life took a devastating turn with the rise of Nazism. His teaching authorization was revoked in 1933. He was then only allowed to treat Jewish patients. The horrors of Kristallnacht in 1938 led to his arrest. He was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. His wife Paula worked tirelessly to secure his release. She managed to free him after just under a month.
Emaciated and traumatized Albert and Paula fled to Amsterdam. They sought refuge in a city far from the shadow of the Nazi regime. Their escape was fraught with danger. They left behind all their possessions. These were later seized by the authorities. They arrived in Amsterdam in 1939. They carried only the hope of a new beginning.
Life in Amsterdam was not without its challenges. German medical qualifications weren’t recognized in the Netherlands. Albert had to relearn medicine. He had to master the Dutch language. He had to rebuild his life from scratch. Tragically in 1943 both Albert and Paula were arrested and deported to Westerbork. They worked as auxiliary helpers in the camp infirmary. Remarkably they managed to escape. They survived the war in hiding in southern Holland. After the war they returned to Amsterdam. They learned of the tragic death of their daughter Charlotte in Auschwitz.
Despite the unimaginable loss Albert Salomon resumed his medical practice. He never returned to Germany. He and Paula embraced Dutch nationality. He continued practicing medicine until his death in 1976. He is buried in Hoofddorp near Amsterdam. The Albert Stone stands as a testament to his resilience his contributions to medicine and the harrowing realities of the Holocaust. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of unspeakable cruelty hope and survival can prevail. The Albert Stone invites reflection on his legacy a life of healing dedication and perseverance.