Marian Turski: A Holocaust Survivor Who Spoke Against Indifference
Marian Turski, a Holocaust survivor who dedicated his life to combating racial and ethnic injustice by sharing the horrors he witnessed during World War II, passed away on February 18, 2023, at the age of 98 in his Warsaw home. His death was announced by the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, an institution he helped establish and chaired since 2009. Turski’s life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to ensuring that the world never forgets the atrocities of the Holocaust. His voice, both as a writer and a public speaker, served as a powerful reminder of the dangers of indifference and the importance of defending human rights and democratic values.
Turski’s journey began in the Lodz ghetto, where he was confined as a teenager after the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. He later survived the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where his father and younger brother were killed, and endured forced labor, death marches, and typhus in multiple concentration camps. After the war, he returned to Poland, adopted the surname "Turski," and became a prominent voice against antisemitism and injustice. His experiences shaped his belief that indifference could lead to another Auschwitz, a message he repeated throughout his life.
A Life of Advocacy and Warning
In 2020, during the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Turski warned of “a huge rise in antisemitism,” emphasizing that the Holocaust did not begin with concentration camps but with small acts of persecution. “Do not be indifferent,” he urged, calling on people to stand against historical lies, discrimination, and violations of human rights. His message was clear: the Holocaust could happen again if societies remain complacent.
Turski’s advocacy extended beyond speeches. He served as a columnist for Polityka magazine, chaired the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, and edited volumes of eyewitness accounts titled Jewish Fates: A Testimony of the Living. His work ensured that the stories of Holocaust victims were not forgotten. He also returned to Auschwitz multiple times, including in the weeks before his death, to attend a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of its liberation. “We have always been a tiny minority,” he said, acknowledging the dwindling number of survivors.
From Survival to Solidarity
Marian Turski’s commitment to justice was not limited to the Holocaust. In 1965, while studying in the United States on a scholarship, he joined the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When asked years later by President Barack Obama about his motivation, Turski replied, “Simply out of solidarity with all those who fought for their civil rights and against racial divisions.” This act of solidarity reflected his broader belief in fighting injustice, whether it was antisemitism, racism, or oppression in any form.
Turski’s early life was marked by resilience and resourcefulness. Born Mosze Turbowicz in 1926 in Druskininkai, then part of Poland, he grew up in a family of rabbis and clerks. During the war, he supported his family in the Lodz ghetto by tutoring and working in a smokehouse while also joining the Communist resistance. His mother, Estera, survived Bergen-Belsen, but 37 of his relatives perished in the Holocaust. After the war, Turski embraced socialism, earning a history degree and becoming a Communist official, though he later distanced himself from Soviet communism due to its antisemitism and repression.
A Voice for the Future
Menachem Z. Rosensaft, a Holocaust scholar and son of survivors, described Turski as a symbol of hope and resilience. Instead of letting his suffering consume him, Turski dedicated his life to ensuring that the Holocaust’s lessons were never forgotten. Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, praised him as “a man who led by example, choosing good over evil, dialogue over conflict and understanding over hostility.” Turski’s soft-spoken yet powerful voice resonated deeply, urging future generations to remain vigilant against hatred and indifference.
Turski’s legacy is not just about the past but about the future. In his later years, he called on social media platforms like Facebook to ban Holocaust deniers, recognizing the importance of combating misinformation in the modern world. His wife, Halina, a fellow Holocaust survivor who escaped the Warsaw ghetto, passed away in 2017. Turski is survived by their daughter, Joanna, a flutist, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His story serves as a reminder of the enduring need to protect democracy, human rights, and the truth.
Remembering Marian Turski: A Call to Action
Marian Turski’s life was a testament to the power of resilience, solidarity, and hope. From the Lodz ghetto to the civil rights movement in America, he stood as a beacon of moral courage. His warnings about the dangers of indifference remain as relevant today as ever. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, Turski’s message becomes even more urgent. It is now up to future generations to carry forward his legacy by remaining vigilant against hatred and injustice. As Rosensaft said, “We cannot replicate the voice of the survivors, but we can make sure that the questions they asked, the warnings they raised, remain ingrained in our consciousness.” Marian Turski’s life reminds us that the fight for justice is never over, and that indifference is a threat we must always confront.