Time has had lasting impact on this book’s red cardboard binder. The book contains a collection of musical notes, hand-written in ink, which comprise the bass lines for compositions bearing titles that include the Waltz, the Carnival Gallop or the Polka. One can only imagine the dance venues these notes accompanied. The inscription reads: "Simon Baum / in Bruschied 28.12.(18)78 / Adam Keller".
It no doubt belonged to Simon Baum, who wrote some of the pieces himself and lived in Bruschied from 1851 to 1914. He came from a Jewish family that lived in the region over many generations. He was probably a musician along with his wife, Friederika Johanetta née Dornhard, who came from a family of musicians. They had three children, of whom Samuel would later make a name for himself in the wider surrounding area as a music teacher. Samuel Baum taught piano, horn and violin to Jewish and Christian families alike. He played at dance events, was a sought after musician and his concerts were always well attended. His father’s music book evidently came into his possession at some point.
According to reports, Samuel Baum and his wife, Johanna née Bonnem, „were picked up and taken away by people from Gemünden“ in April 1942, and were eventually deported from Koblenz to Kraśniczyn. Almost all the persons on this transport were ultimately murdered in the surrounding death camps at Sobibor, Belzec and Majdanek. Yet, the actual fate of the Baum couple is unknown, as no trace can be found from this point on.
This music book from Simon Baum was found in Bruschied in 2014, in the attic of the house where the family once lived. It was given to the directors of the Stumm Organ Association in Rhaunen and conveyed it as memorabilia to the “Förderkreis” of Synagogue Laufersweiler in 2016.
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