Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Benjamin Gompers

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

1. Benjamin Gompers stolperstein

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Hier woonde
Benjamin Gompers
Geb. 1927
Gedeporteerd 25.9.1942
uit Westerbork
Vermoord 28.9.1942
Auschwitz

Here lived Benjamin Gompers, born 1927. Deported on September 25, 1942 from Westerbork. Murdered on September 28, 1942 in Auschwitz.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Stolpersteine series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 25, 1942.

Location. 52° 0.636′ N, 4° 42.606′ E. Marker is in Gouda, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is on Wijdstraat, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Wijdstraat 17, Gouda, Zuid-Holland 2801 KB, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Salomon Benjamin Gompers (here,

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next to this marker); Elisabeth Gompers - van Tijn (here, next to this marker); Reintje Margaretha Gompers (here, next to this marker); Etty Gompers (here, next to this marker); Magazijn De Zon / “The Sun Warehouse” (a few steps from this marker); Sint-Janskerk (within shouting distance of this marker); Erasmus: Sint Jan (within shouting distance of this marker); Achter de Kerk / “Behind the Church” (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gouda.

Also see . . . 5 Stolpersteine voor het gezin Gompers-van Tijn (Stichting Gouda Metaheerhuis). Excerpt (in translation):

Salomon Benjamin Gompers (44) owned a shop on Wijdstraat that sold party and office supplies. He was married to Elisabeth Gompers-van Tijn (40). The couple had three teenage children: Reintje Margaretha (18), Etty (17), and Benjamin (14).

At the end of the summer of 1942, things went wrong. On Yom Kippur, father Gompers was taken from synagogue by the notorious police officer Arie Oudenaarden. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest of Jewish holidays. On this day, devout Jews do not work and attend
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

2. Benjamin Gompers stolperstein - wide view
The stolperstein for Benjamin Gompers is visible here as part of a group of five set in the pavement in front of the Greek restaurant.
synagogue all day. Salomon Benjamin told his neighbors he would be back that same evening and simply had to register. But he never returned.

His wife Elisabeth, daughters Reintje Margaretha and Etty, and son Benjamin were also transported. The entire family ended up in Westerbork and from there was deported to Auschwitz. Mother Elisabeth and their three children died on September 28, 1942. Father Gompers was likely still working as a forced laborer. He died in Monowitz at the end of January 1943.

(Submitted on November 2, 2025.)

Additional keywords. struikelsteen

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 39 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.