I am curious if it is known if many Jews from Lodz moved to Germany, specifically Falkenstein, in the years after World War 1, and if so why.  I know of one relative of mine, named Ezra Russek, who moved there with his family.  There is another Russek who made the same move with her husband at around the same time, and I'm trying to establish if they were related, or if it was a common move and this is just a coincidence (it was a common name also, I recognize, but there are other facts that suggest a connection). 

Any information would be appreciated.

Thank you
--
Peter Roussak
peter.roussak@...

Researching: 
RUSSEK, MITLER, JACOBOVITCH in Poland (Zloczew and Lodz); 
FREEDMAN, LEVY in Belarus, Lithuania (Grodno, Kovno); 
SHLOIMOVITZ, HERSCOVICI, POLSTER in Romania (Iasi)

Hi from Paris,
Dear Peter,
My GF Avrom Zysman left Lodz just after WW1 in 1919 (and just before being drafted in Polish army) and lived 4 years in Germany before immigrating to Paris in 1924.
I have some facts concerning his and perhaps your Russek's history.

1. During WW1, Lodz had been occupied very early by German armies and this occupation had offered a better life to Jewish inhabitants. First because almost any rule was better than antisemitic Russian (Tsar's) rule. Second because German occupation wasn't antisemitic : Germany used this opposition between Polish / Russian populations of Lodz and Jewish to reinforce its power. We have pictures of German soldiers in Lodz' main street among fearless Jewish persons, distributing food or allowing Jewish newspapers.
2. During WW1, young German men were drafted in army and Germany needed workforce in its industries or fields. Germany offered work to young Polish (including Jewish) men and a lot could discover German cities and what was life in Germany. May I add Jewish Labor Bund prevented its khaveyrim to take part of German war economy ( and later army enrollment). Nevertheless, this period had been a moment when Jews could discover and appreciate Germany.
3. Germany was only on Polish border other side, offering an opportunity for a better life nor far from family left in the old country.
4. Last but not the least, Yiddish offers a good and easy entry to German,...much better than to French or English !

As soon as 1923, Nazi party took a larger place in German political life.
Then 1933 with Hitler's nominated as chancellor, or 1938 Kristal Nacht.
These three dates had been red warnings when Jews could decide to leave Germany before it was too late.

My GF Avrom left Germany in 1924 : I am well and alive and living in Paris to tell his story.

Khavershaft
Bernard Flam
Archives & history of Medem Center - Arbeter Ring (Bund / Workmen Circle of France)
Found :  Zysman, Kronenberg, Rottersman of Lodz