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I was there.
The Jews in Lodz were forcibly moved into a ghetto and, at the end of January 1940, Jakob and his family were ordered to leave their apartment.
In the ghetto, Jakob’s father was put in charge of the administrative office that decided where the ghetto inhabitants would live. His mother managed the old people's home. Some of the elderly had been deported to Lodz from Berlin, Hamburg and Vienna. Jakob, who had turned fifteen, became an apprentice in the mechanics workshop.
Two years after the ghetto’s establishment the Germans started to deport people. From his window Jakob could see children being brutally loaded onto trucks and being taken away in one of the child deportations that took place.
Jakob Ringart (1925-2014), Poland
Everything in a Backpack
Jakob talks about the situation when he and his family were forced to move into the ghetto.
1) Listen to Jakob as he talks about the situation when he and his family were forced to move into the ghetto. Answer the question.
1a. In what way did Jakob’s life change when the family was forced into the ghetto?
Father's Work in the Ghetto
Jakob talks about work in the ghetto.
2) Listen to Jakob as he talks about work in the ghetto.
Working as a Trainee
Jakob talks about what it was like to work as a trainee.
3) Listen to Jakob as he talks about what it was like to work as a trainee.
Distribution of Food
Jakob talks about the distribution of food in the ghetto.
4) Listen to Jakob as he talks about the distribution of food in the ghetto.
They Took the Children
Jakob talks about the deportation of the children.
5) Listen to Jakob as he talks about the deportation of the children. Answer the question.
5a. What is most striking about the events Jakob is telling us about? Explain why.
5b. What options did Chaim Rumkowski have, when he was ordered to do a selection for the deportation?
"Voluntary" Registration
Jakob talks about the "voluntary" registration.
6) Listen to Jakob as he talks about the "voluntary" registration.
A "Special District" for Jews
Slideshow.
Transfer into the Ghetto
Slideshow.
The Organizing of the Ghetto
Slideshow.
Food Rations
Slideshow.
The Extermination Camp of Chelmno
Slideshow.
Deportation of Roma
Slideshow.
"Relocation" of the Jews
Slideshow.
Registration of the Children
Slideshow.
Deportations Continue
Slideshow.
Extra Material
