debora

Dear Friends & Family

We invite you to join us on Sunday, 16 August 2026, for a very special morning in Bilthoven as we place a Stolperstein (Stumbling Stone) in memory of our grandmother Debora Bamberger at the house where Annette Donker’s parents, Anneke & Adriaan Donker-Vallenduuk, lived in 1943

The theme for this day is simple but powerful: respect for all people, accepting people as they are, and ensuring that those we have lost are never forgotten as long as their names are spoken

Date: Sunday, 16 August 2026, 11:30

Place: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Gregoriuslaan 8, 3723 KR Bilthoven, Netherlands

Program for the Day:

10:30 to 11:35 - Optional Catholic Church Service

Guests are welcome to attend the Sunday Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The service will feature a special theme dedicated to the Stolpersteine, focusing on respect, acceptance, and the importance of remembrance. (Please note: This service will be conducted in Dutch)

11:30am - Gathering & Walk

We will gather in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. From there, we will walk together a short distance (about 100 meters) to Dr. Julius Rontgenlaan 6, where the Stolperstein will be placed

The Ceremony

Words of Remembrance: Reflections from the Bamberger family, the family of Annette Donker, and Evert Theunissen from Struikelstenen De Bilt

The Kaddish: A member of Struikelstenen De Bilt will recite the Mourner’s Kaddish (a traditional Jewish memorial prayer) in Hebrew, Dutch, and English

Placing of Stones: To conclude the ceremony, all attendees will be invited to partake in the Jewish tradition of placing a small pebble next to the Stolperstein as a lasting mark of visitation and respect. Please place stones in a circle to reflect the traditions of her son, grandchildren, and great grandchildren

12:30 - Refreshments & Fellowship 

Following the ceremony, we will return to the church’s parsonage terrace and garden to share light refreshments, coffee & tea, and fellowship with the local congregation

Your presence would mean so much to us as we honour Debora’s memory

Please RSVP to let us know that you can join us

With love

• Peter Bamberger, and family

• Debbie Kilmartin (nee Adriana Debora Bamberger) joining via video call from New Zealand

• Annette Donker, and family

• The board of the Stichting Struikelstenen De Bilt organisation

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We extend much thanks to Annette Donker, Justine Oomes, and family, Evert Theunissen, and the Stichting Struikelstenen De Bilt organisation for all their efforts in keeping Debora’s memory alive, and the research required to connect us all after 83 years

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Further Information:

Stolperstein, Stumbling Stone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolperstein

Struikelstenen De Bilt https://www.struikelstenendebilt.nl

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church https://www.olvbilthoven.nl