„Liczymy przecież na lepsze czasy” – historia getta łódzkiego zapisana w liście

The article is a scholarly study of an account from the Łódź ghetto, mistakenly cataloged as a diary in the Archives of the Jewish Historical Institute. This ten-page letter, composed in Polish by a mother for her son, recounts the story of a family in the Łódź ghetto about whom little is known. The document serves as a compelling testimony from that time, detailing the experiences of a married couple with a child who survived in Łódź from the outbreak of World War II until liberation. The author believes their fate will become part of the curriculum in post-war schools and seeks to pass this history on to her child. She recalls the most significant moments in the ghetto’s history from her perspective, offering a glimpse into her understanding of its operations. The portrayal she provides does not stem from profound contemplation of the surrounding world or the changes within it; it is rather an emotion-laden account of “ordinary people” observing and evaluating ghetto “cones” (authorities). Facts are intertwined with gossip, creating a unique narrative. The letter presents a concise history of the ghetto as average residents might have perceived it, or the mother wished her son to remember it. The publication of this letter enables readers to view the ghetto through the author’s eyes and understand the fear that accompanied her during every moment of writing. It is a document that illustrates how essential it was for her to testify about her fate, emphasizing the significance and value of her sacrifice and suffering.