Jewish Society in Lodz

Lodz, now the second largest city in Poland, was proclaimed in 1423 but during the next three and a half centuries was in fact not bigger than a village. The town of Lodz belonged to the bishops of Kujawy (historical region of central Poland). It didn't have any serious opportunities for further developement and settlement because of being situated among forests and swamps. These circumstances weren't favourable to Jewish settlement either, taking into consideration the fact that the city was built within grounds belonging to the church. In 1793 the Jewish population of the town was eleven people and it was almost 6% of the total population. The end of XVIII century brought the beginning of the Jewish immigration to Lodz.

After the partitions of Poland Lodz belonged to the Prussian (between 1793 and 1815) and Russian anexation (after 1815) and this, by the secularization of church properties, played a crucial role in the settlement of Jews. In the year 1809 ninety eight Jews inhabited Lodz, when the whole population was 514. They occupied themselves with trade in linen, cloth and calico. In 1820 Jews made up more than a third of the 767 inhabitants. Year 1822 happened to be the year of legislative activity, including "putting in order all the Jewish cases" in regions of Poland occupied by Russia, also in Lodz. Firstly Jews could settle down freely all around the city, but after the 24th April 1822 the authorities of the Duchy of Warsaw in the power of the decree of Czar started to limit the Jewish immigration. In Lodz they were given the area near the streets of Podrzeczna, Wolborska and the Old Market. In a short time it turned out that assigned space was too cramped to obey 10 rules of their settlement in the city. Not every Jew was embraced by these restrictions, there were possibilities to live in any part of the town, but under the condition of owning at least 20,000 zloty in cash with no debts, ability to read and write in Polish, French or German and that their children attend public schools. Only traders, bankers and those, who tried to establish their own factory, warehouse or build a brick house and also well-known artists or scientists could afford such a luxury.

Originally Jews were not allowed to use any special signs showing their cultural difference, but this restriction was not obeyed, the first Jew who was clothed in a European way didn't appear in the streets of Lodz until 1840, which was found sensational. After a period of time the discriminational restrictions began to weaken. The Czar's decree in 1848 limited the property requirement to 9,000 zloty, which resulted in the growth of the Jewish population of Lodz from 2,000 to 3,000 people.

Starting from that moment, the growing economical potential of Jews and their impressive enterprise and proffesional mobility made them establish a new social state, this activity influenced the developement of Lodz a lot. The centre of the city was inhabited by Jewish textile wholesalers, influential bankers, wealthy traders and the Jewish district housed small traders, both-sellers, craftsmen and workers. The Jewish elite of Lodz also shaped at that time, seriously distanced itself from the society of Jewish district.

Though moderating or even lifting the prior restrictions of Russian politics, although not trying to deprivate the Jewish society, was still full of organized oppression towards this nation, extreme nationalism and increasing hatred and hostility between ethnic groups inhabiting Poland.