Max Glauben, who endured things most of us can't imagine, has passed away at the age of 94.
He was 11-years-old when the Nazis invaded his hometown of Warsaw. He survived the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, concentration camps, labor camps, and death marches. He lost his mother and younger brother at the Majdanek death camp in Lublin, Poland. He lost his father at a labor camp. Max would go to four more camps by himself.
Glauben never lost his sense of optimism. He was liberated by the US Army in 1945. In 1951 he made his way to Dallas and in 1977 he began sharing his testimony. He never stopped. Glauben spoke to thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people in Dallas and around the world. His message was always one of love.
He was instrumental in the creation of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and in testimony from their website said "I feel like God has placed me here for a certain purpose. That I would speak up for the ones that didn't make it." And a big part of his speech was always directed against hate. "Hate grows within the hater the same as yeast grows in some dough. You put a little bit in there and you let it stay in the refrigerator overnight, and then it overflows."
Museum CEO Mary Pat Higgins loved Glauben. She said he found peace and hope by sharing his story.
"It really became his life's mission," Higgins said. "He's been a guiding light for so many people." She said he was burdened with the trauma he went through until the end "but he dealt with that by trying to make a positive difference in people's lives today."
Glauben was very involved in the museum and he lives on, there.
"Come to the testimony theater at the museum," Higgins said. "We have an interactive experience where you can ask questions of the holographic image of Max and he will answer those questions. Max was so proud and delighted to be a part of that incredible exhibit. He knew by doing that that he would be able to impact lives for generations to come."
He made many trips to Poland for the annual March of the Living. He last led a Texas delegation in 2019.
Glauben was named the 2019 Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News.
He is survived by his wife Frieda, two children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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