Henri-Goldstein-Haus

In 1936, a small, unassuming building was erected on the edge of Himmelmoor, Germany, near the site of a former peat factory. This building, now known as the Henri-Goldstein-Haus, would become a place of immense suffering and, ultimately, remembrance. The Henri-Goldstein-Haus initially housed prisoners from various prisons. However, its darkest chapter began in 1942. Until May 1945, over 50 Jewish prisoners of war were forced to perform back-breaking labor in the peat bogs under inhumane conditions. Henri Goldstein, the man whose name now graces this building, was one of those prisoners. Born in Brussels in 1920 to a Jewish family, Goldstein’s life took a dramatic turn when he was captured as a prisoner of war near Bruges, Belgium, in 1940. He was transferred to Germany and spent time in seven different POW camps, including the Arbeitskommando 7000 in Hamburg’s free port. In November 1944, Goldstein arrived at his final destination, the Kriegsgefangenen-Arbeitskommando 1416 at Himmelmoor. The Henri-Goldstein-Haus was part of this camp. He vividly described the cramped conditions in the small building where he and 53 other Jewish POWs were housed. Three-tiered bunks were packed tightly together, leaving barely any space to move. A small stove, a few tables, and benches occupied the remaining space. Every day, Goldstein and his fellow prisoners were forced to work in the moor, digging peat. He endured frequent violence and hardship. His captivity finally ended with the arrival of British troops in Quickborn on May 4, 1945. Goldstein’s story, and those of the other prisoners held at the Henri-Goldstein-Haus, is a stark reminder of the brutality and suffering endured during World War II. Today, the Henri-Goldstein-Haus stands as a memorial and educational center. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of those imprisoned here and to promoting understanding and tolerance. The building is a testament to their resilience and a solemn reminder of the importance of never forgetting the past.