Opoczno, 20 December 1926 To my precious and beloved nephew and brother and his worthy wife, I am now answering to two letters, in one of which you write to me of your father's treatment of you children...and concerning Bryndl's wedding, and in the second letter of your purchase of a house. As to your first letter, my devoted one, I have much to say in response. As I read your letter, I wept profusely. Each word of yours concerning your father...(and) concerning the groom of whom you are not too fond wounded my heart, and I think to myself, Master of the Universe, why, and again, why do you deserve not to have there someone to whom you can unburden your kosher, refined heart? It's sad, Sol. Don't think that I here in Europe don't understand your suffering there. But how can I help you other than with an expression of sympathy. I don't wish my worst enemy to be tested with what you have experienced. My mother, may she rest in peace, did not die at an early age and neverthless it nags at me, and I am sometimes overtaken by a lonesomeness. I want to unburden myself of something. It's true that your in-laws, in this sort of situation, should serve as parents, but nevertheless you pour your heart out to your uncle who would very much like to see you a happy person, not an unhappy person, chas v'cholilah. I would very much like to have a talk with your sister, Bryndl, whom I have not seen for fifteen years, but would my scolding help? Do I as an uncle have the right here in Poland to scold a young woman in Chicago??? However, you as her only brother, as a representative of your mother, may she rest in peace, have a right to express your opinion about her engagement, about the costs of the wedding, etc. Your sister may not agree, may not do what you say, but you should give your opinion in order to clarify, to convince. And then, dear Sol, there are, in particular, young people who give little value to this notion of marriage. Somehow, among many people it is a short-lived event, an incident. And I tell you, Sol, that that sort of marriage is like a beleaguered city...those who are in the city want to get out, and those who are outside want to get in! Admittedly, one can't be certain, but in any event when one is about to take such a step in life, one has to be careful not to stumble, not to fall into a sinkhole; the parties should be more or less suitable for each other. The most important thing: (to be) smart, patient, logical, every step of the way. As to the rest, dear brother, I rely on you and hope that you will get a brother-in-law who will be suitable for your sister, for you and for the whole family. And may it be with good fortune. Send us a wedding invitation, and we will, at the least, honor you with a telegram. Although I didn't anticipate that I would not be at the weddings of you children, particularly under such circumstances...but, really, I would like to see you fortunate and to hear good news from you! Now, dear Sol, write me about how you did during this year's season. I am aware that all the business takes place before Christmas, and afterwards you rest a bit. I also know that you had prepared merchandise to sell. Here there was no winter until December 1, and many businesses of winter merchandise suffered. However, two weeks ago, snow fell, and this helped sales somewhat. In any event, I am curious as to whether you sold your winter merchandise and whether you had any profit. The newspapers write that, in America, this is a favorable time, but it depends for whom, eh??? You write that there was a fire in Gowarczow. That's correct. Fifteen houses burned down; 60 families were left without a roof over their heads. As to your not wanting to turn around to see the Romanian queen, you did the right thing. Such a queen, from a country where the citizens are not sure of their lives and are subjected to pogroms, is not worthy of (one) going to see her. Further, dear Sol, what else shall I write? I would very much like to write pleasant things because I have already shared enough sorrowful matters with you during the last few years. Unfortunately, I am not yet able to write you that I am "all right" or that I am prospering. I am suffering; I work and want to achieve something. I also benefit from the sympathy and assistance of my sister and brother-in-law who are the only ones who take an interest in all my problems. Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law, I entered the business. Thanks to them, my family and I have not been hungry for the last seven months. And now you, my devoted one, I don't want to thank. I would like to press a kiss on your lips for what you have done with respect to your uncle. May it shield you if you should ever be in great need. We were sitting this last Sabbath, I, my sister and my brother-in-law, and we were talking about you, about your correspondence, about your love for us, and so on. My brother-in-law said that he is not bold enough to write to you because he promised to repay you the money which you lent him. In the final analysis, it appears that the business is not yet successful enough to permit our taking the money out. To the contrary, the business is pressed for capital. So, what then is the solution...we should buy a lottery ticket in partnership with you. Perhaps G-d will help us to win. You would immediately be paid your one-third of the ticket as a partner and, in addition, the $200 which you recently sent. In any event, Sol, the drawing takes place from January 15 to January 25. Say a chapter of Psalms for this purpose, and all three of us will be helped! I know very well that you are going to buy a building; assuredly, you need money and (what we owe you) would, in fact, be of assistance. Sol, don't laugh at what your uncle writes because your uncle is not joking. Your uncle is poor, but good hearted... You know how the saying goes: All the poor people have good appetites... As to your writing about buying a building, I thank you warmly, devoted child, for letting us know of this good news. However, dear Sol, you should consult with your in-laws, wife, and so on. You ought not to do anything without their approval because I became convinced that your father-in-law is an intelligent man, calm, logical; I like the sort of person he is. Perhaps it would not be improper for you to buy the building which you have an opportunity to buy from the owner, and to set up an affiliate there in partnership with your father-in-law, i.e., a second furniture store. In any event, I am anxious to hear what you did, whether you bought the building. If so, may you have much good fortune from it. I ask you to write me everything in detail, and what does your father think about you now??? Also write me how Ruchele is, whether she has fully recovered, whether she has a job and what the nature of her work is. Where does she eat and sleep? At her father's or somewhere else? Write me how Rifchele is feeling, whether she goes to school, etc. Also write me everything about Bryndele's latest happenings. I have nothing important to report to you about myself. I was in Lodz two weeks ago for the Sabbath of Chanukah. Your Aunt Malke sends her regards to you. She is, thank G-d, well. My daughter, Balcia, is learning a trade, and my daughter, Rifchele, goes to school and is not completely healthy. I was at the doctor with her. She has a problem with her heart; there has been a weakening of her heart. The doctor says that it is not serious. Joseph is going to cheder, is studying, is a fine, clever child. He always tells me to write you a letter asking you to come here; he says he wants to meet you. Further, there is also nothing important respecting my sister. They bake bread, biscuits, white bread, platzkes,) challahs. The children are not overly well brought up; typical of a small town, without respect. Further, there's no news anywhere in the whole family. Two weeks ago, Shmiel Lewin entered into an engagement contract (with a family) from Mielec, near Galicia, which is now part of Poland. He received a dowry of $1,000 and the assignment of one-half of a building. However, I haven't seen the bride-to-be, and G-d knows what she has... Aunt Dina Raisel Chmielnicki also became party to an engagement contract on behalf of her youngest daughter in Lodz; I happen to know the groom-to-be. I really have nothing more to relate. Whether I will remain in Opoczno or not will be decided this month. It depends on a number of issues, questions concerning money, etc. In any event, I will write everything to you. So, best wishes for your good health and regards from me, my family, sister, brother-in-law, family, et al. Heartfelt regards to your worthy wife, in-laws, sisters, family, et al. Please answer promptly. With respect, Wolf Lewkowicz All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.