Konstantynów Łódzki

According to official sources, there was just one Jewish weaver. Later on there were more, but they usually worked at home on textiles obtained from Łódź manufacturers.

In 1987, 1091 out of 5582 town residents were Jews, in large part Hassidic. A yeshiva, Zionist clubs, sports clubs Maccabee and Daughters of Zion that also ran a library, all existed in the town.  Over two decades later the number of Jewish residents slightly decreased. However, a new cheder and Beit Jaakov opened and the monthly magazine “Der Tzair” was published; the Zionist organization, youth clubs and a drama club all had their members among the town’s population.

Right before World War II Konstantynów had ca.1300 Jewish residents, and when Germans entered the town on September 7, 1939, many left, heading mostly for Łódź. Jewish shops and apartments were plundered, while Jews were beaten and humiliated. Men had their beards cut off and were forced to sing “We, Jews, wanted this war”.

The synagogue was desecrated and the Torah scrolls burnt. On December 22, 939, most Jews were deported to Głowno, some 40 km to the southeast of Konstantynów. Nowadays there is nothing there to see, no post or photograph, nothing. But some people are making that effort to do something. Families of those who lived in Konstantynów before the war want to commemorate the Jewish cemetery, find the matzevot, awaken the memory in local people and motivate the mayor to do what should be done.

On June 9, 2015, a group of students from the high school in Konstantynów Łódzki organized a walking tour for a group of junior high third year students. By seeking out sites connected to prewar Jewish history of Konstantynów students wanted to recall a long-forgotten history. A history that has not only been forgotten, but also erased, as not a tiniest trace of it remains. With the help of educators, students tried to find and locate something, anything. A piece of information, or at least a tiny fragment. What was where, and where exactly, what would happen there?

The guides met their group by Sports&Leisure Center, as it is where the Jewish cemetery is, now overgrown with forest trees. Students headed to Weavers’ Hall at ul.1 Maja Street and walked around Kościuszki Square, stopping by the sites of the former synagogue, ritual butchershop and mikveh. High school students recounted and explained what was what, the purposes and functions each place served. What stood where and what happened to these places.

Amplified by microphones students explained what the town used to look like before the war; what its political life was like and why this was. Over 20 participants listened in silence why memory and local history are important. Local media covered the event on their websites, in publication and on their FB fanpages.
Students shot a film about sites relevant for their town’s Jewish community. They wanted to commemorate the past that should be commemorated. Because who would do it if not them?

To read more about Konstantynów Łódzki visit Virtual Shtetl:

In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this educational program. Through recovering the assets of the victims of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference enables organizations around the world to provide education about the Shoah and to preserve the memory of those who perished.

Program co-financed from the funds granted by Citizens for Democracy program, financed through the EEA grants.

In appreciation to Friends of the Forum for supporting the School of Dialogue educational program.