Egon Jacks

This memorial commemorates Egon Jacks, who was born in 1923, and whose life was tragically cut short. The inscription identifies that he was deported on 15 August 1942 to Riga, where he was subsequently murdered on 18 August 1942. This small, yet significant, memorial serves as a poignant reminder of an individual lost due to historical atrocities. It ensures that his name and fate are not forgotten, honouring the personal tragedy amidst the broader historical context of mass deportations and killings.

This memorial, known as a 'stolperstein' (stumbling stone), is part of a widespread European art project designed to commemorate individual victims of national socialist persecution. These brass-plated cobblestones are typically installed in front of the last known voluntary residence of the victims, providing a personal connection to the historical events. While it stands in Berlin, a city indelibly marked by the Cold War and the Berlin Wall's division between 1961 and 1989, this specific memorial harks back to an earlier, equally devastating period, emphasizing the city's complex historical layers.

The memorial for Egon Jacks is located in Berlin, embedded within the pavement. As a stolperstein, it is designed to be encountered by chance, a small brass plate that quietly bears witness at ground level. Visitors can find it at the address which was once Egon Jacks's home. These memorials are openly accessible in public spaces, inviting all who pass by to pause, read, and reflect on the individual stories they represent. No special access arrangements are needed to visit this type of memorial.