Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
Published on: June 29, 2011
The suicide of Adam Czerniakow
1Discipline of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney and Central Coast Health Districuts, NSW, Australia. gwalter@mail.usyd.edu.au
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.
Related Concept Videos
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from emotional distress. Anger...
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Apoptosis
Adler's Individual Psychology

