Kosher and Jewish Life in Lodz

Jews began settling Lodz in the late 1700's. In 1793, there were 11 Jews living in Lodz. The Jewish population grew over time and by 1939 it was about 223,000 or one third of the population. More than 50,000 Jews settled in Lodz by the end of 1946, many of whom lived in the USSR during the Holocaust. Half of Lodz's Jewish population left for Israel by 1950. Today only a few hundred Jews live in Lodz. Only one synagogue, from the late 18th century, remains and is functioning; it can be found on Rewolucji St. 1905. The synagogue survived World War II because of its location, hidden in a corner of the ghetto. Within the cemetary there is a mausoleum for the Jewish factory owner I.K Poznanski, which is as large as a house. You can also visit his mansion which is a museum. One can also visit mansions, banks, and textile factories of other Jewish industrialists from the late 19th century, including a textile factory belonging to Markus Silberstein, on ul Piotrkowski 242/248; a former mansion and bank belonging to Makysymilian Goldeder on ul Piotrokowska 77 and an ornate bank formerly owned by Wilhem Landau found at 7l Piotrokowska 29.