Lodz, 10 February 1923 Dear and devoted Nephew, Sol Zissman, A few weeks ago, I sent you a letter as well as a postcard. Now I'm writing to you again to let you know that I cashed your check yesterday at the rate of 33,500 (marks per dol- lar). That is, I received five million Polish marks for your $150. I could possibly have speculated further with it, but as I am about to become a partner with my brother- in-law to the tune of 25%, I was forced to cash it. Dear and devoted (nephew), it is not possible to say any- thing definite about this business at the moment since I am approaching it provisionally, that is, without a signature. The agreement is purely verbal until, with G-d's help, the intermediate days of Passover. At that time, I'll decide how to proceed. I leave myself the choice. If it pays to continue, that's good. If not, then I won't. I am putting four million marks free and clear into the business. One million will go for shoes and clothing. For the last eight years, we have become quite down (at the heels). Dear nephew, I thought that at last I had been saved, that I could now afford an apartment and furnishings, but unfor- tunately that's not an easy thing. Everything in the world can be gotten in Poland--except an apartment, unless, of course, one has fifteen or twenty million marks. So I decided to continue to live with my in-laws, although it is not the most felicitous arrangement. Do I have a choice? I am a son-in-law, not a daughter-in-law. I pray to G-d that everything that my heart desires will be achieved in time. Dear and devoted Shloymele, the next time that you write to me, include a carefully drafted note to my brother-in-law, Hetske Rotberg, with whom I became partners. May he deal with me both as a partner and as a brother-in-law; may he take into consideration the kind of money I bring into the partnership; may he see to it that I get a decent livelihood from my 25% of the partnership and, the main thing, may I not have any heartache on this account. At this point, I couldn't stand any heartache. I don't have to teach you. You possess more wisdom than I do, so you will know what to write. To continue, my dear child, you wrote in your last letter that your dear father has written to me, but unfortunately I have not received anything to date; what is the reason? I would never in my life have imagined that your dear father would become so distant from me--but I don't hold it against him. Shloymele, you also wrote that you were sending me a letter, but I haven't received that either. Please write to me about everything that's going on with you and with the fam- ily. I am very surprised that you write nothing about what's happening with your sister, Bryndl. G-d only knows what has happened to her. Why did you send me pictures of all the children but not of her? Write to me about every- thing. The absolute truth. I am interested in you, my dear child, and want to know everything, to inquire into every- thing. When I think that your sainted mother left you an orphan, I realize that I am the closest to you of all your loved ones. Dear Shloymele, yesterday I got together with a certain Moshe Radofsky. I don't know if you will remember him. He and your father were once partners in dealing in cucumbers in Geyers Market. Today, he works as a craftsman making decorations for furniture. Upon hearing that you were in that line, he asked me to send you and also your father a collection of his samples. Perhaps such things will have a certain appeal there, and it will be possible to do some business. You must remember, Shloymele, that here every- thing is expensive and where you are everything is inexpen- sive. Nevertheless, America buys various things from Poland. Take an interest in his samples. If they have pos- sibilities, then we will send you all the particulars, prices, etc. Believe me, Shloymele, I want so much to be involved in business dealings with you that you can't imagine. I am convinced that we will, at some time, be closely involved in business. G-d makes anything possible. Since there is nothing else of importance to write, I send heartfelt and loving regards. My wife and children send heartfelt and loving regards. From me your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz P.S. Warm regards from your dear grandmother, from my sis- ter, Esther, and Lazer. Lazer was in Lodz last week. He talked to me quite a bit about you. There is no more news. Stay well. Heartfelt regards from everyone. Warm regards for you dear father from me, my wife, my mother, my sister, my brothers-in-law, and so on. With great respect, My address is: Wolf Lewkowicz Lodz Wolchanska N. 168 u Rotbergo Poland All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.