Give me Łódź: Jewish communal life in a Polish manufacturing city

Abstract

This article explores the development of the Jewish community of Łódź, Poland alongside changes in the city as a whole. From a small town at the start of the 19th century, it became a major hub for textile factories, urban labor, and intercultural encounters by the end of the century. Jews experienced and contributed to the changes as workers, factory owners, and chroniclers. The article will examine how aspects related to Łódź’s character and evolution contributed to the wartime and postwar experiences of Jews there, arguing that the city provides a unique and important perspective on modern Jewish history.