“Waren mijn ogen een bron van tranen” These words etched into the black granite of the Verzetsmonument Stone pierce the Amsterdam air. Right here before us stands a powerful testament. It remembers the Jewish resistance fighters who perished during World War II.
The Verzetsmonument Stone is more than just a monument. It’s a poignant tribute. It honors the memory of those who fought bravely against unimaginable odds. This towering black granite column is a sobering reminder of their sacrifice. The inscription in Hebrew and Dutch speaks volumes. It honors the Jewish citizens who fell between 1940 and 1945.
Sculptor Joseph Glatt created this masterpiece. He was a stone mason specializing in Jewish tombstones. He poured his heart into this project. The design is striking. The stone tablets are prominently displayed. A quote from the prophet Jeremiah is carved into the side. It speaks of unending grief for the fallen fighters of his precious people.
The monument wasn’t always here. There was a debate over its location. Some preferred a spot near the Mozes and Aäron Church. Others believed it belonged closer to the Waterlooplein. The final decision placed it at its current location on the corner of the Amstel and Zwanenburgwal. The choice might seem arbitrary. However this spot stands near the Stopera and near where many acts of resistance took place.
The Verzetsmonument Stone wasn’t erected without effort. The Stichting Comité Joods Verzet 1940-1945 spearheaded the project. Benny Bluhm and Herman Natkiel founded this organization in 1986. Sadly Bluhm died shortly after the foundation’s establishment. He didn’t live to see the monument’s unveiling. Newspaper advertisements raised money for the project. The monument’s unveiling took place on October 16 1988. Dick Dolman the Speaker of the House of Representatives unveiled it. Hundreds attended including Mayor Ed van Thijn.
From 2009 to 2015 the monument also served as a site for Kristallnacht commemorations. This annual event remembered the horrific events of November 9 and 10 1938. This was a time when synagogues burned and Jewish businesses suffered destruction across Germany. Sadly disagreements ended these commemorations in 2015.
Even today the Verzetsmonument Stone remains a place of solemn remembrance. A place to reflect on the courage of the Jewish resistance. It stands as a powerful symbol of hope and remembrance. It’s a place for the living to never forget. It’s a solemn promise to ensure such horrors are never repeated.