Pre-1939: Szadek, town, Łódź województwo, Poland; 1939–1945: Schadek, Landkreis Schieratz, Regierungsbezirk Kalisch (later Regierungsbezirk Litzmannstadt), Reichsgau Wartheland; post-1998: Szadek, Łódź województwo, Poland The town of Szadek is located 37 kilometers (23 miles) west–southwest of Łódź. There were 523 Jews living there in 1921. Following Szadek’s occupation in September 1939, the Germans set up a Judenrat and a Jewish police force. According to survivor Abraham Pick, the Germans dismissed the pre-war Jewish Council and constituted a new one with “tough guys,” who obeyed their orders. At the end of 1939, the Germans gave permission for Szadek’s Jews to remain in the town conditional on the payment of a massive contribution that had to be delivered within three weeks. This sum was so great that many Jews were preparing for their deportation, and some even left before the deadline. In the end, however, the ransom was paid, and those who had left were instructed to return t...