Poland

Marian Turski (1926–2025), Holocaust survivor and historian

Marian Turski was a Holocaust survivor who became an historian devoted to ensuring the world’s collective memory of the genocide does not fade.

Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (1953–2024), Oscar-winning composer

Jan A.P. Kaczmarek was a Polish composer who won an Academy Award for Best Original Score in 2005 for “Finding Neverland.” 

Ben Stern (1921–2024), Holocaust survivor who clashed with Neo-Nazis 

Ben Stern was a Holocaust Survivor who moved to the United States and opposed Neo-Nazis well into his 90s. 

Ewa PodleÅ› (1952–2024), contralto with a three-octave range 

Ewa PodleÅ› was a Polish opera singer and contralto who was known for her powerful three-octave range and performances on stages across the world.

Wanda PóÅ‚tawska (1921–2023), Holocaust survivor befriended the Pope

Wanda PóÅ‚tawska was a Polish doctor and author who was tortured in medical experiments by the Nazis, and later went on to befriend the future .

Nechama Tec (1931–2023), Holocaust survivor, historian, and scholar

Nechama Tec was a Holocaust survivor, scholar, and author of the book “Defiance: The Bielski Partisans,” which inspired the 2008 film of the same name.

Thomas Buergenthal (1934–2023), prominent human rights advocate

Thomas Buergenthal was a Holocaust survivor who went on to become an attorney, judge, and scholar, and an influential advocate for human rights.

Gerda Weissmann Klein (1924–2022), Holocaust survivor profiled in Oscar-winning film

Gerda Weissmann Klein was an author and Holocaust survivor who was profiled in the Oscar-winning 1995 documentary “One Survivor Remembers.”

Roman Kent (1929–2021), Holocaust survivor who fought for reparations

Roman Kent was a Polish Holocaust survivor who led a movement seeking reparations from the German government.

Walentyna Janta-Polczynska (1913–2020), Polish WWII heroine

Walentyna Janta-Polczynska was a member of the Polish government in exile during World War II, whose translation skills were crucial to the war effort as she prepared intelligence reports and broadcast to fellow Poles on an underground radio station.

Stephan Ross (1931–2020), New England Holocaust Memorial founder

StephanRoss survived 10 Nazi concentration camps as a boy and was the founder of the New England Holocaust Memorial.Ross was bornSzmulekRozentalin Lodz, Poland. As a boy, he was sent to concentration camps after the Nazie28099s invaded Poland. He spent time in 10 different camps,surviving beatings, illness, and starvation, and escaped twiceafterbeing chosen for death at the camps. One time,he ranfrom the death lineunder a train andgrabbedon to theaxle when the train started to move. He held on and when the train stopped, he was at another camp.

Holocaust Survivors Tell Their Stories

This International Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27, 2020, marks 75 years since those held prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp were liberated. The , who emerged from a nightmare and managed to put together the pieces of a new life, have grown to old age in the 21st century. Those with the most vivid memories, who were adults during World War II, are mostly gone, and those few who are left are in the last years of their lives. Many, as they leave this life, take one last chance to tell their stories — via their obituaries.

Peter Lindbergh (1944–2019), photographer of supermodels

Peter Lindbergh was a fashion photographer who is credited with jump-starting the rise of the supermodel in the 1990s.

Eva Kor (1934–2019), Holocaust survivor spoke about forgiveness

Eva Kor, holocaust survivor and educator, died Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Krakow, Poland of natural causes, while leading an educational trip to Auschwitz. She was 85.

Simcha Rotem (1924–2018), Warsaw ghetto uprising fighter

Resistance fighter against the Nazis in the heroic 1943 uprising.

Gena Turgel (1923 – 2018), Holocaust survivor nursed Anne Frank

Gena Turgel, a Holocaust survivor who comforted Anne Frank at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp before the young diarist's death and the camp's liberation a month later, has died. She was 95.

Yisrael Kristal (1903–2017), world’s oldest man

World’s oldest man and Holocaust survivor.

Raymond Kopa (1931–2017)

Former soccer star made legendary plays with France and Real Madrid.

Phil Chess (1921–2016), Chess Records co-founder

Phil Chess, who co-founded the legendary Chess Records label, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Arizona, according to multiple news sources. He was 95.

Shimon Peres (1923–2016), former president of Israel

Nobel Peace Prize winner formerly served as Israel's president and prime minister.

Rosalie Chris Lerman (1926 - 2016), Holocaust survivor and educator

Rosalie Chris Lerman, Holocaust survivor and educator, died May 20, 2016 of natural causes according to multiple news sources. She was 90.

Gene Gutowski (1925 - 2016), producer of The Pianist

Gene Gutowski, who produced films of the director Roman Polanski during the 1960s and later teamed with Polanski to produce the Academy Award-winning Holocaust masterpiece, "The Pianist," died May 10 of pneumonia in Warsaw, Poland, according to multiple news sources, including The Associated Press. He was 90. Gutowski, a Holocaust survivor, died of pneumonia at a hospital there. The death was announced by Gutowski's son, Adam Bardach. Gutowski produced some of the 20th century's finest films including "Repulsion" (1965), "Cul-de-Sac" (1966), and "The Fearless Vampire Killers" (1967).

These Obituaries Offer a Glimpse Into a Concentration Camp

In Holocaust survivors' obituaries, horrific places like Treblinka are mentioned alongside recollections of happy marriages and personal achievements.

Laura Silver on Knish, the Jewish Soul Food

Knish is a Jewish comfort food that collects adjectives like "humble" and "homey." It's not pretty, but it's delicious and a powerful connection to family and culture.

Kapusca (Sauerkraut)

The Polish dishes she prepares at Thanksgiving remind Estelle of her father, who loved them all.

Nail Polish Inventor

Wojciech Inglot invented a non-toxic, breathable nail polish that has particular meaning for Muslim women.