In a poignant recounting of family history and remembrance, a recent meeting highlighted the unveiling of a memorial dedicated to the only Jewish family in the town of Gross Roestorff, who perished during the Holocaust. The speaker shared harrowing details about their fate, indicating that they were likely transported to the Sobibor concentration camp in Poland, where they faced grim circumstances due to their age.

The memorial, unveiled on November 9, 2008, was the result of efforts by local residents, including a Lutheran pastor who has become a close friend of the speaker. The monument, described as resembling a headstone, serves as a grave marker for the speaker's grandparents, who were the sole Jewish inhabitants of the town. Family members participated in the unveiling, honoring their memory through a Jewish tradition of leaving stones on graves.

Significantly, the monument is protected by bulletproof glass, a measure taken to prevent vandalism and to convey the violence that marked the lives of the town's Jewish residents. The glass bears intentional imperfections, created by hammer strikes, symbolizing the harsh realities of their history.

This memorial not only commemorates the past but also serves as a reminder of the community's failure to protect its Jewish citizens during a dark chapter in history. The speaker emphasized the importance of acknowledging this painful legacy, ensuring that the stories of those lost are not forgotten.