Visit Lodz with Izrael Poznanski – History of “Cotton King”
One of the “kings of cotton” of Łódź in the 19th century, next to Ludwik Geyer and Karol Scheibler. He was born in 1833 in Aleksandrów, a year later his family moved to Łódź, where his father Kalman Poznański traded in ell-measured and spice goods. At the age of 17, Poznański took over the shop and the cloth storehouse from his father, got married with Leonia Hertz, a daughter of the secretary of Jewish hospitals, thanks to which he became the owner of a shop in Warsaw and established contacts with the Warsaw bourgeoisie. After a short time he became the owner of 50 weaving plants.
Our guests will begin their visit in Lodz with a visit in Poznanski Family Palace.
Poznanski and his sons built their palace at the turn of the twentieth century, when textile industry flourished, huge fortunes were amassed overnight and spectacular residences were built to testify to their owners’ status and wealth.
Next, time permitting, guests will have the opportunity to visit The Museum of the Factory is a place where you can discover the history of textile factory founded by Izrael Poznanski in mid 19th century. In the times of its past glory the factory produced millions of meters of cotton material. Guests will be taken for a tour around the Lodz Ghetto, which was the second-largest ghetto (after the Warsaw Ghetto) established for Jews in German-occupied Poland. The next step will be The New Lodz Jewish Cemetery, the largest Jewish Cemetery in Europe, established in 1892. Izrael Poznanski donated the first 10.5 hectares of land towards its establishment.
Tykocin
Tykocin was one of the most important Jewish shtetls in the kingdom of Poland. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the community was considered to gain the second place in importance after the community of Kraków.
The first Jews settled in Tykocin in 1522. Before the outbreak of World War II, there were around 2,000 Jews in Tykocin – around 44% of total town population. Few Jews, who managed to survive the World War II, and decided to come back to Tykocin, quickly became objects of attacks by Polish nationalists and soon emigrated to Palestine
Tykocin has two very well-preserved synagogues, the Great and a small one. It’s a charming example of a well preserved Jewish shtetl.
