Lodz, 17 February 1936 To our dear and devoted cousin, Shloyme Zissman, It will surely be a wonder that we are writing to you...not our father. So, devoted cousin, don't be surprised because something caused us to write. We went through a great deal this winter, and our father's strength is exhausted. Four weeks ago, he slipped in the factory and broke a rib. He was in bed for three weeks. He's feeling better now, thanks to G-d. He's walking around already, but is not working yet. He may begin to work this week. Then, two weeks ago, our mother suffered a serious heart attack that lasted a full twenty hours. They barely saved her. She is now in the hospital. She has been there for two weeks. Thank G-d, she is a little better, but she is still seriously ill, so that we are all very worried. We aren't able to help ourselves because it's a bitter time in Poland now. Surely you read there in the newspapers everything that's going on in Poland. So, our dear and devoted cousin, we can't write very much because we are writing not with ink but with tears. We ask in our name, as well as in the name of our devoted and blessed father, as well as in the name of our sick and weak mother, that you, our only devoted cousin, not remain unresponsive to our writing but help us out immediately in our need with as much as you understand because the need is great, and the help is urgently required. Our dear father himself told us to write a letter to you because he feels so broken up that he is not able to write at this time... In addition, he runs around every day looking for work to earn at least enough for a piece of bread and a few kilos of coal because, after all, it's winter. He will surely write a letter to you when our dear mother is fully well and comes home in peace. We have nothing else of importance to share with you. We send heartfelt and loving regards to you and your family. We also send regards to our cousins, Ruchel, Bryndl and Ruth. Please answer quickly. From us, your cousins, Yosef and Rivke Lewkowicz Please write an answer immediately. All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.