Citation

Walter G, Pridmore S. Australas. Psychiatry 2011; 19(6): 513-517.

Affiliation

Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney & Area Clinical Director, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney and Central Coast Health Districuts , NSW , Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3109/10398562.2011.619267

PMID

21919547

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article is to describe the circumstances surrounding the suicide of Adam Czerniakow during the Holocaust. Method: Examination of Czerniakow's (translated) diary and other Holocaust literature. Results: Head of the "Judenrat" (Jewish Council) in the Warsaw ghetto, Czerniakow had the impossible task of obeying oppressive German orders, while trying to serve and protect his people. Following instruction to have ready for deportation from the ghetto several thousand Jews each day, Czerniakow took his life. Although Czerniakow may not have known the precise destination of those deported (they were sent to death camps), he is believed to have held grave fears for their fate. Conclusions: Suicide in the context of avoiding having to perform an unacceptable task is not commonly recorded, but may have applied in Czerniakow's case and was not infrequent among Judenrat members.

Language: en