The weavers were the first workers who went to fight the homeowners, the employers, for the improvement of financial state. There weren't many weaving factories in town. The weavers of these factories had a synagogue where they would gather on Saturdays. There they prayed and studied together. Most of them had learnt in yeshivas in the past. Whoever wanted to learn the weaving profession faced many difficulties. The trainee had to pay the weaver tuition and in addition sponsor a banquet for all weavers. This banquet was in a restaurant and its cost was very high. The trainee had to study a few months without a salary, and after all this had to do everything to please the owner. The first salary was very low, and the study itself- full of trials and tribulations because the trade was hard and complicated and every shred of information had to be paid with money. It was customary to bring five presents to the trainer; for instance, they brought him a bottle of wine, bagel and dry sausage. By the way, the Zabludow bagel was famous for its good quality. A visitor from Bialystock who had visited Zabludow usually took home with him a bunch of bagels.For a long time there were good relations between the weavers and the factory owners. If problems arose they used to settle them peacefully. On Saturday eve the weavers used to visit the owners and discuss Torah issues over a cup of tea. When needed the owners used to give financial assistance as loans that were returned by taking small portions from the salary. The factory owner and his wife used to come to the weaver for a brit* and enjoy a warm welcome. In general there were good friendly relations.
Aside from the weavers there were girls whose job was to prepare thread packs. Their salary was very poor, and both the employer and the weaver enslaved them together. The weaver took advantage of the girls for all kind of tasks: sending them to bring water, bring food, sweep the factory, set the stove, and they used to ridicule them as well.
*Brit- circumcision
Later the girls became smarter and did much self evaluation; they realized that days and nights they bend over the spinning wheel and make threads… and if the weaver is angry he gets violent too. So they decided that they are not going to tolerate it any longer… the girls decided to fight. They were organized, stopped the work and presented demands for both. The factory owners were demanded to raise their pay and the weavers were demanded to improve their treatment of the girls. The weavers became angry and shouted; "do you consider yourselves human beings?" And other shouts. They made threats and ran to the girl's parents and said that they would be kicked out of work… but at the end the girls won. The insulted weavers, who were defeated, later used to tease them whenever they had the opportunity. But they learnt that the girls had power; without their work they could not continue.
A fierce conflict arose at the textile factory between the workers and the owner of the factory Herschel Merishes. There were more than 40 weavers and other workers in his factory. They were taken advantage of and heavily oppressed. The weavers gathered at their synagogue, discussed their conditions and elected a delegation that would present their demands before the employers.
Friendly relations ceased; they had to stand at the door of the employer and remove the hat before him. Herschel Merishes was smoking his cigar and looking down at the workers. They were not wanted there. He was listening to their words and angrily shouted, "what kind of ideas came to you there in the synagogue? You are threatening. Go go! Work will continue without you". His wife wanted to make peace and asked the workers to reconcile.
The reaction scared the delegation and they gathered for a meeting. They also sent people to Bialystok to ask for advice. At the same time their wives try to convince them to give up and ask them no to strike. The people returned from Bialystok and declared not to give up. The workers of Bialystok promised to help- 4 rubles a week to the married and 2 rubles to the single. The singles don't take that money, and they desert the work and go home. They are excited. This is the first strike of the weavers.
Herschel Merishes is very angry. He does a lot of thinking but does not close the factory as he threatened to do. He doesn't throw the spins either believing that they will come back begging for work. They will beg but I will not help them, he thinks.
Few days later and new faces were seen at the factory; Russian weavers, powerful, began to work at the weaving spins and gentile women replaced the girls. And in the weavers' synagogue there are games like checkers on the tables, few weavers are sitting and learning Gemara. They receive charity money.
The young men decide to take action. One of them was beaten during a fight with a Russian. He was hit with a plummet on his head, and it was cracked and his life was in danger. The Russian workers continue to work. In the street they walk with a stick in their hand. They are quiet and usually don't bother others.
But, the Russian goy** likes the bitter drop and he drinks. He is as drunk as lot from Sunday to Wednesday. Evidently, he doesn't work until Wednesday.
The work of the Russian weavers continues several weeks. One morning the Russian weavers vanish. The Jewish weavers were asked to return to work. They won.
**goy- gentile
Back to table of Contents 
Web: 2003 Tilford Bartman