Two official food ration coupons from the Łódź Ghetto for workers and representatives within the ghetto system. Łódź Ghetto, early 1940s.
Rare coupon from series Serie I.N: “TALON zur Zusatzmittag” – voucher for an additional meal granted in return for work performed beyond regular hours. Issued by the Werkküchen-Abt – the Department of Industrial Kitchens (work kitchens), with special authorization from D. Aelteste d. Juden in Litzmannstadt – “The Elder of the Jews in Litzmannstadt, ” the title of Rumkowski and the administrative apparatus under his command.
Rare coupon from series Serie I/D: Lunch coupon for delegates (Für Delegierte) – i.e., workers in administrative roles, authorized by the Werkküchen-Abt – Kitchen Department. The coupon bears a red stamp: Unschichtung, meaning “reassignment” – a term frequently used in the Łódź Ghetto to indicate transfer to another group (and at times, a dangerous reclassification for transport). It also includes the note: “Gültig am … gegen Abstemplung d. Mittagskarte Nr. …” – “Valid on [specific day] only, upon stamping of meal card no. …”. This is a unique daily coupon intended for workers in designated roles in the ghetto, who were required to present their general food ration card in order to receive the meal.
Both cards are food distribution vouchers from the internal system of the Łódź Ghetto, designated for workers in essential labor or administrative roles. They were issued under strict supervision concerning eligibility, registration, and personal classification.
See also: Kennzeichen “Jude”: Antisemitismus, Entrechtung, Verfolgung, Vernichtung und die Rationierung von Nahrungsmitteln und Verbrauchsgütern für Juden in Großdeutschland und den besetzten Gebieten 1939 bis 1945, by Hans-Ludwig Grabowski and Wolfgang Haney (eds.), Berlin 2014 – p. 301.
The Łódź Ghetto operated under a ration-based economy. The population did not receive food equally, but according to classification – age, capacity for labor, employment status, etc. Workers received larger portions to enable them to continue working. The “delegates” (Delegierte) were typically senior workers within the ghetto administration – workshop managers, department heads, supervisors, and the like.
The term Unschichtung – “reassignment” – is highly charged. Sometimes it referred to a change in work assignment, but in many cases, it masked deportation to transport – in other words, to extermination camps. Its appearance in red letters on a food ration card may indicate that the person was reclassified, and at times this hinted at a grim fate.
Coupons: 8×5 cm and 6×4 cm. Very good condition.
