Zgierzer Benevolent Society

Zgierzer Benevolent Society

            The Zgierzer Benevolent Society was established in New York by immigrants hailing from Zgierz, Poland. The town gained recognition from the 14th century on, with its inhabitants maintaining taverns, liquor stills, and other rural enterprises. The Jews of Zgierz were first mentioned in 19th century documents regarding their rights and privileges, such as the purchasing/selling of property. Their struggle of obtaining rights to settle in Zgierz was lengthy, as the Polish authorities were adamant about quartering the Jewish population, and following an 1880 investigation, the Jews of Zgierz were ordered to relocate out of the city within six months, unless they already own immovable property with their right of concessions already in hand. Negotiations involving the Jewish quarter continued.

            Despite the burdens placed on them, the Jewish community of Zgierz flourished in the textile industry, maintained a synagogue and a Beis Midrash. The community, especially its youth, were heavily engaged in the growth of zionists organizations. A library (David Frishman) stood which held Jewish and Hebrew books, as well as Zionists literature. The library also provided courses in Hebrew. During the Russian-Polish War, the Jewish community of Zgierz hosted its soldiers. The Jewish population of Zgierz increased rapidly during the second half of the 19th century, with there having been over 2000 Jews in 1866 to almost 5000 Jews near the eve of WWII.

            German forces carried out extensive air bombardments against the town on September 3, 1939. Many fled to nearby towns such as Lodz, Strikow, and Warsaw. By September 7th, the town was officially under occupation of the German forces. The Jewish cemetery was destroyed and the synagogue was destroyed by fire (a ring from an etz khayim survived the fire, and was later donated to the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw). Most of the Jewish community (almost 5000 people)  of Zgierz perished during the Holocaust. It is recorded that about 350 people returned after the war. It can be reasonably concluded that most traveled overseas to Israel and/or the United States.

https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/zgierz/zgi028.html

https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/zgierz/zgi618.html

https://jewishgen.org/yizkor/zgierz/zgi001.html

https://polin.pl/en/news/2015/12/07/the-only-surviving-memento-from-the-zgierz-synagogue

https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/zgierz/zgi535.html#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20Jews%20in,the%20Jewish%20population%20of%20Zgierz.

https://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/zgierz/zgi205.html#:~:text=by%20Y.%20L.,or%20even%20three%20hand%20looms.

~Blog by Olivia Scanlon