Rumkowski, Mordechai Chaim

Head of the Jewish Council (Judenrat) of the Lodz Ghetto, Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski pursued a strategy of maximizing the industrial output of the ghetto in hopes that its productivity for German industry and the war effort would ultimately save Jewish lives and spare the ghetto from liquidation. This strategy did prolong the existence of the Lodz ghetto for nearly two years beyond the liquidation of other Polish ghettos, but also contributed to the horrific living conditions within the Lodz ghetto. Although Rumkowski had broad power over the ghetto's internal operations, he was subject to the authority of the Nazi ghetto administration. Rumkowski was deported on the last transport to leave Lodz when the ghetto was liquidated in August 1944, and was murdered in Auschwitz.