How many stories whisper from this seemingly ordinary street corner? This is the Dr. Moritz Jacobsohn Plaque. It stands here at the corner of Belßstraße and Marienfelder Allee. It commemorates a man who served his community. The Dr. Moritz Jacobsohn Plaque honors Dr. Moritz Jacobsohn. He was a physician who lived and worked in this area.
Moritz Jacobsohn’s story is one of service, displacement, and resilience. Born in 1880, he trained as a doctor. By 1910, he had established his practice. It was at Bismarckstraße, which is now Belßstraße. He became a well-regarded practical doctor and obstetrician. His dedication endeared him to the local population. Especially the poor.
During World War I, Jacobsohn served as the head physician. He worked at the military hospital in the Marienfelde monastery. He received awards for his service.
However, Jacobsohn’s life took a tragic turn. In 1938, due to his Jewish heritage, he was forced to emigrate. He fled first to England and then to Cuba. Finally, he found refuge in the United States.
Even in his 60s, Jacobsohn’s commitment to medicine persisted. The Quakers helped him get a professorship at Goddard College in Vermont. He passed his medical exams again in New York. He then established a country practice in Hampton, Connecticut. He was married and had four children. They all lived in the USA.
The Dr. Moritz Jacobsohn Plaque stands as a reminder of the injustices suffered. It remembers Jewish citizens during the Nazi era. The plaque was initiated by a local historian. Hans-Werner Fabarius suggested it. It was erected in 1989 or 1990 by the Evangelical Church community of Marienfelde. Family members attended the dedication.
Interestingly, Jacobsohn resisted attempts to erase his identity. After the street was renamed after a Nazi, he still used Berliner Straße in his address. This act of defiance shows his spirit. The Dr. Moritz Jacobsohn Plaque is more than a memorial. It is a symbol of resistance. It represents resilience. It is a story etched in stone. It reminds us of a life dedicated to healing. It serves as a call to remember those who were persecuted.