Lodz, 20 May 1923 To my devoted and beloved nephew, Sol Zissman, I received your dear letter of April 20th. I thank you for writing. Concerning the fact that you mention in your letter that you are busy--I'm delighted to hear it. May G-d grant you success in all your undertakings. About your writing to me that you don't agree with me that a bride should also have money, I can only say this--that marriage is somewhat like a besieged city. The people who are in the city want to get out, and those who are on the outside want to get in. I think that you will understand my example. To return to the subject of money. I don't know how things are in America concerning the making of a match. I only know how things are in Poland lately. Let me give you a little example. Shmiel Lewin, Uncle Yankl's son, got engaged a year ago in Czestochowa to a decent girl with two million marks of her own. It so happened that the value of the Polish mark fell, and the two million marks became worthless. He broke that engagement and soon became engaged in Tomaszow to eight million. Now he's engaged for the third time to someone with fifteen million marks. He's rac- ing with the commodities market; as the dollar raises the value of all the goods in the country, such as bread, her- ring, onions, garlic, his value also rises. Our young fel- lows think, if prices of perishable goods go up so much, how much more so should ours! Lately, however, a young man doesn't even seek money, but an apartment and household furnishings. What do you think of that? It is utterly impossible to envy parents who, in these times, have not boys but girls. Dear Shloymele, I know very well that you are laughing at my fanatical writ- ing. You are thinking perhaps that your uncle hasn't the faintest idea about love, matches, remance, about a pretty girl who bewitches the heart, etc. So, dear child, I want you to know that your uncle was never fanatical and will continue not to be fanatical. About fifteen or twenty years ago, your uncle was inclined to love and be loved. I was also well read about romances, tragedies, affairs and dramas. But my advice to you, dear child, is purely motivated. I don't have it in mind that you should make a match with a hunchback, or someone without a nose, G-d forbid. I want you to know that I, your uncle, have only your happiness in mind. I want you to find the kind of a friend who will make your torn heart whole again. It is said that a wife can make the difference between good fortune and bad. 9 9 I want to tell you this much. If I didn't know you so well, if I didn't understand you so well, if I weren't so close to you, if I didn't read your letters so thoroughly, perhaps your fate wouldn't interest me as much as it does. But since you are so close to me and I know you through your writing and character, and I understand you fundamentally, I am therefore very interested in seeing that your future life will be a secure one. It is true that one cannot try to outsmart G-d. Take me as an example. In any case, dear child, itis my wish that when you are ready to definitely make a match, you are not saddened by the fact that you are an orphan and that your father is rather distant (from you). No. The young lady who will want your heart will, without a doubt, be pretty, smart, educated and talented in business, but also not poor. You have earned this, and I'm not merely flattering you. I'm telling you the absolute truth, that I envy the girl who will marry you. First of all, she will find in you a good husband, a refined character, a businessman, smart, educated and, above all, with understanding. If you were in Poland, you would have some idea of how much all that is worth. But enough babbling about the subject. To continue, in your previous letter, you let me know that you are not religious. My response to that, dear child, is that religiosity isn't very useful. Take me as an example. Have I accomplished anything in the world? And yet I was very, very religious, observant by inclination. I ate from the plate of more than one high rebbe, and used the remedies and amulets that they suggested. I danced with more than one chasid. And from all this, I finally came to the con- clusion that it's all worthless. It is a business like all other businesses, and nothing more. A person whose eyes are open, who has seen something of the world, will also come to the same conclusion. Now, concerning your request for a photograph. I can only write that I will send you one as soon as it will be at all possible. Dear child, I beg of you and my wife begs of you that you write to me at least every two weeks, even if you have to write that you have nothing to write. That's no excuse as far as I'm concerned. When I receive a letter from you, I devour your words as I read them. I imagine that my sister is still alive as I read your letters. I promise to answer every letter. If we could manage to get some kind of busi- ness relationship going from America, I might yet have the privilege of seeing you face to face. Is it possible, Shloymele, that in my lefetime I should yet talk with you one more time? Yes! G-d can make anything possible. 9 9 Moshe Rodofsky's collection came back. He said that he has written you a letter. Why did you send him your address? He just wants to bother you. Don't listen to him, and let that be an end to the matter. I have nothing important to report. Everything is as it was. The partnership is the same. In another letter, I will write you more about it. Meanwhile, do not worry about me. Thank G-d things are even as they are. I hope that things will improve for me in time. Meanwhile, I must suffer in silence. Don't mention anything about the partnership when you write to me. Heartfelt and loving regards and kisses. My wife also sends warm and loving regards. From me, your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.