Background
Moniek Merin was born in Sosnovitz (Sosnowiec) in the Prussian Partition of Poland, at the border with Austria-Hungary.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Moshe Merin
Edit Profile
Career
Merin made his living by trading goods before the Nazi-Soviet invasion of Poland. He was described by others as an unstable and impulsive manitoba World World War II
After the German takeover of Sosnowiec, Merin stepped up as head of the Sosnowiec Community Council when the former president from before the invasion of Poland, Lejzerowicz, remained silent in a meeting with the German officers.
Merin reported from behind the last row after a large group of prominent community members was being subjected by the Nazis to a 24-hour detention in a public bath.
While it remains unclear whether or not he was on the pre-war council, it is evident that his qualification rested mainly on the fact that he could speak the German language. This was the beginning of his career, first as chairman of the Judenrat at Sosnowiec, then as the head (Leiter) of the central office of the Jewish Council of Elders in eastern upper Silesia.
He is noted to have been very harsh in his dealings with Jewish opposition groups, including Hanoar Hazioni, Hashomer Hatzair, Gordonia, Poalei Zion, and Hitachdut. Merin, weighing the choices before him, ultimately aided the Nazis in the hunt for leaders of the aforementioned groups, going so far as to sign their execution orders himself.
Merin"s approach was similar to that of Chaim Rumkowski"s in that he was convinced that by tying the Jews in his ghetto to labor, some would survive the war.
Views
He did this with full cooperation of the Jewish Police Force, whose leader fervently defended Merin’s every decision.
Membership
As with most Jewish Council members of the time, opinions of his actions or lack thereof are highly controversial.
