Lodz, 1 March 1936 My dear brother, as well as precious nephew and niece, Sol Zissman, I sit now and wonder whether I should write to you, or not write to you, this very letter because, if one considers it carefully, there's a question. Why? And for what sin does it come about that I always write such plaintive letters to a devoted brother...? What sort of sin did you commit against me, Sol, that all your life you have to receive such whining and tearful letters from me...? Isn't it possible that at some point it may occur to you that Uncle Wolf is really a fine man but, but, he's an expert in his business...10% of what he writes is true and 90% is untrue; he has learned to bluff a bit...; he has latched on to his nephew, pesters him with tearful and whining letters, adds moaning and sighing, etc. Yes, devoted brother, all of this can sometimes creep into a person's mind concerning an uncle! I apologize for my unfortunate way of expressing myself to you; I also apologize for my having to write you every detail about me and about our life here in Poland. You earned this for yourself, Sol. You have won for yourself such high regard, such a reputation, that whatever happens to me, whether good, whether bad, chas v'cholilah, I don't have any old friend to whom I am able talk my heart out, to whom I am able to uncover my troubles, except for you, my devoted and precious brother! And since your uncle is 100% convinced that you are my genuine devoted friend, my genuine brother in need, only I am able to evaluate your devotion to me, not because you assist me from time to time but because you share your troubles and joys with your uncle... I have had occasion to read a number of letters from American men of means to their poor relations in Poland, but what I find in your warmhearted letters to me, this is rare, an exception. It's just a shame that fate has placed us so far apart from each other that we are not able to witness each other's troubles and joys... On the other hand, our hearts are so close and perceptive. This can be recognized in our letters to each other. So, for example, I read your latest letter to me, dated February 15, (in which) you write me every detail, such as your partner going away, the business being 75% favorable, your being satisfied, the furniture business being slow, the bakery being very slow, Leonard going to school already, etc. Sol, if you were to know how your uncle drinks in and reads with thirst your writing, you would not write an eight-page letter, but an eighty-page letter. I don't get tired of reading what you write, and I can not satiate myself with your letters to me. I feel your love for me from afar. That's why I have such boldness in dealing with you! So, whatever sort of problem confronts me and my household, I immediately seek to elicit a word of encouragement from you, my devoted Sol. And, in fact, I do elicit it, but one can't constantly cry on another's shoulders. I always figure that you there have your own problems, concerns, your own worries, and you scurry about to make a dollar. When I look at you in the picture of your restaurant and see your partner and his wife looking so well and you looking so poorly, I wonder to myself whether it might not be preferable for my nephew, Sol, to go on vacation instead of his partner??? However, you know, Sol, that a Jew thinks that this world is for them, and we are waiting for the next world. Is it possible that we're making a mistake in thinking this way??? However, let's just say that we have to be strong to endure our troubles; I, particularly, must be made of steel and iron if I can bear everything that happens to me. As to the last two months, I can merely write you that troubles have surrounded me on all sides, and I am not able to help myself. I feel so depressed recently that I won't be able to bear up under everything that happens to me... As my children relate it to me, they wrote a letter to you two weeks ago about everything, but I am writing you all the details of everything that has taken place in my house during the last two months. As you know, Sol, I am no longer at the factory, i.e., the factory closed at year-end and still hasn't reopened; it's possible that this may change this month. They went bankrupt. For the time being, I am on a relief allowance from the government. Two months ago, I worked on a trial basis at another factory, but I fell so clumsily that I broke a rib, lay in bed for four weeks, wore a corset, suffered some aches and pains and, thank G-d, it passed without my remaining permanently crippled. That might perhaps have been enough for the past winter and for the poor wages...(but) the Master of the Universe said that it was not yet ample. Before one trouble passes, a second trouble presents itself. Five weeks ago, Aunt Malke did not feel well, although she always has problems with her heart, and it's no news to me when she has an attack. However, this time Aunt Malke had such a severe heart attack that, under no circumstances, were we able to revive her. From 10:00 in the evening on Thursday until 8:00 in the evening on Friday, i.e., 22 hours, they skillfully kept her alive with a number of shots. The First Aid was called to assist her three times during the night; five doctors examined her during the 22 hours. They were finally successful in reviving her. On Saturday, they had to take her to a hospital, and she has been lying there in the hospital for five weeks. She is a bit better now, but she still feels very weak. I don't know how much longer she will have to lie in the hospital because the doctors say that she has to lose weight because she is too heavy and her heart can't work normally. It is in this way, Sol, that G-d provided for me so that I would be busy. Four times a week I have to travel eight kilometers and stand in line at the hospital and inquire as to Aunt's state of health. The children are losing their strength. We don't eat, and we don't sleep, and we are so helpless and lonely that we don't even say anything (to each other). Therefore, devoted Sol, I am writing you this letter, and I stretch out my hand to you, even though it's not so easy for me to stretch my hand out to you and to ask for help. But what should I do when the world is closing in on me, and I can't help myself and have no one to help me? I believe and am convinced that you will not remain unresponsive to my writing but will come to my help at this critical moment because the help is necessary and urgently required. Well, heartfelt regards for you, your worthy wife and dear son, Leonard. I'm happy to hear that he's going to school already and has a good head for learning. I had an opportunity to acquire a present for your son. I will send it to you for him next week through the mail. Further, my dear children, Rivkele and Joseph, send regards to you, and Aunt Malke sends heartfelt regards to all. With respect, Your brother and uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz Please answer promptly. The whole family sends regards to everyone. All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.