“Who was Hermann Federmann?” a child once asked. Today, we stand near Wagenerstrasse. Here, a Stolperstein commemorates Hermann Federmann’s life. It marks where he last lived freely. These stones recall those persecuted by the Nazis.
Hermann was born in Hanover on March 18, 1930. His parents were Abraham and Charlotte Federmann. Abraham was a tailor from Poland. Charlotte was from Hanover. Hermann had a younger brother, Rafael. The family lived nearby in Calenberger Neustadt. Their home was close to the Jewish community’s synagogue.
Sadly, Hermann’s health was poor. He suffered from epilepsy and had mental disabilities. At two, he was admitted to Langenhagen mental hospital.
The Federmanns planned to leave Germany early. However, Hermann’s care needs made it difficult. They worried about moving to a new country with a disabled child. Eventually, they decided to place Hermann in Langenhagen mental hospital. They hoped he would be safe. In July 1937, his parents and brother emigrated to Argentina. Hermann was left behind at just seven years old.
In March 1938, Hermann was moved to the von Bodelschwingh Institutions in Bethel. He lived in Patmos House. Initially, an uncle in Hanover kept in contact. Later, Josef Meyer from Bielefeld became his guardian. From 1940, the Hanover synagogue community paid for his care.
A photo remains of Hermann, taken by the Gadderbaum local police. The photo and the official language showed disdain for him. He was called “completely stupid.” The language reflected contempt for humanity.
In September 1940, Bethel received a decree. All Jewish mentally ill people had to be moved to a collection center. This was part of the Nazi euthanasia program. The goal was to murder people with disabilities. Hermann Federmann was among eight sent to Wunstorf on September 21, 1940.
One week later, Hermann and 157 others were deported to Brandenburg an der Havel State Nursing Home. This was a death camp. On September 27, 1940, Hermann Federmann was murdered there in a gas chamber. He was just ten years old.
The Stolperstein here reminds us of Hermann’s suffering. It acknowledges his murder. The City of Hanover laid the stone on October 7, 2011. Staff from Haus kirchlicher Dienste held a prayer service in 2013. Now, flowers are placed here on his birthday and death anniversary. This keeps Hermann Federmann’s memory alive. We must remember Hermann Federmann.