Lodz, 15 July 1937

My dear and devoted nephew, as well as brother,

I received your letter four weeks ago and haven't been able to
answer you until today because I wanted to react to the
criticism with which you reproach me for my procrastinating in
registering Joseph.  You express yourself in a roundabout way,
in a respectful tone, that I am not a fool and yet I am acting
foolishly in failing to register Joseph so that at some point he
will be able to go to America.  

Well, Sol, in order to make the whole thing clear to you, you
have to have a better understanding of your uncle, just as I
understand you.  I know one thing, that you stand at the ready
and want to help me or my children.  On the other hand, the law
in America is so rigid respecting Polish Jews that it doesn't
help to have a devoted nephew or a devoted cousin who is
concerned about doing something for his relatives.  Many
families have been ruined and broken up by this strict law and
only G-d knows how long this will persist.  Meanwhile, it has
existed for about fifteen years.

The first affidavits that you once sent me with your cousin,
Kutchinsky, are dated in 1923, and what haven't you tried to do
(since then)?  Traveled to Canada; wanted to accomplish
something with your father-in-law; and nothing worked because
the law is stronger than everything else.  

Now then, as far as Joseph is concerned, I beg you not to blame
me but to understand me better.  We here in Poland are not able
to accomplish anything without your help there.  The only thing
that I was able to do was to write to the consulate in Warsaw
for them to register Joseph for some unknown future date, even
though many years ago I once wrote such a letter to the consul
to which they answered that Joseph would not be able to go to
America; rather, someone must come for him and adopt him.  At
that time he was a child of six or seven years of age. 
Meanwhile, time has not stood still; Joseph is now already
seventeen years old.  Your recent letters have begun to be of
interest to him.  He recognizes that he has a cousin, a friend,
a brother, a savior, who is concerned with his fate.  He has
thought about it very seriously and said to me:  "Father, I see
that you are exhausted; you are powerless and spent physically
and financially.  Give me permission.  I will find something to
do, and Sol will see that we are not sitting idly and waiting
for the Endikys to cripple us."

So, what is there to do?  Go to Warsaw and learn all the
details.  However, before going to Warsaw, he went into an
immigration office to inform himself about the situation. 
However, they advised him not to go there but to come to an
understanding by correspondence.  To be brief, for a fee they
wrote a letter for him to the consulate as to what he wants to
do and what he needs from them.  He waited two weeks for an
answer, and three days ago he received an answer from the
consulate indicating that, for the time being, those permitted
to immigrate are parents to children, children to parents, wives
to husbands (who are) American citizens. 

On the other hand, sisters, brothers, cousins and uncles are
covered by the quota which, as of now, is limited.  However, if
he wants to register for the future (to become) an American
citizen, he can inform himself there as to everything that may
be done and must be done.  They informed Joseph here that you
would have to declare the value of your business and savings and
whether you obligate yourself to support Joseph during any
period when he has no work in order that he not become a burden
to the government.

So, to be brief, dear Sol, it's somewhat of a job for you.  I
believe and am convinced that you will do something respecting
Joseph and will write me what else there is for us to do. 
Joseph apologizes to you for not writing to you himself this
time.  First of all, he doesn't write Yiddish well.  Second, I
have already written everything.  Third, he will write when he
has accomplished something more.  For now, he sends his
heartfelt regards to you and your family and wishes that all of
you there will be inscribed and sealed for a good year, a happy
year, and success in your endeavors.

Further, dear Sol, as to your writing that your grandmother is
no longer living, I hope that your father and all of you will be
protected from (additional sorrow).  May younger persons never
pass away.  According to my reckoning, she was about 85 years
old.

Now I congratulate you as the uncle of the child of your sister,
Bryndl.  I hope that the raising of the child will be a good
one.  Please give our regards to her and her husband and
children.  Now, Sol, I congratulate you on the marriage of your
sister, Ruth.  Even though you dealt with it very briefly in
your letter, writing that you were busy because of your youngest
sister's marriage, yet Ruth was so kind to write me an English
letter about her marriage with more details.  Her letter is
written with so much warmth that it elicited tears from me. 
Yes, Sol, your mother is missed by all of you there, nothing
more...  With the help of G-d, I will write Ruth an answer to
her letter to me tomorrow, i.e., Sunday.  If she visits you,
give her heartfelt regards for now; I also send heartfelt
regards to her husband.  I wish them a happy life together and a
happy new year.  Now, I send heartfelt regards to Ruchele, or
Rose as you call her there.  How are you, Rose?  Are you well,
working, satisfied with your life, etc?  Write once in a while,
Rose, if you have time.  

Now, dear and devoted Sol, that I have finished with your whole
family, I wish you, your dear Esther and dear Leonard for the
new year, much happiness, health and long life.  May you be
inscribed for the new year to a year of life, a year of
prosperity, a year of blessing and fulfillment and success
wherever you turn.  In a word, may you be inscribed and sealed
for a good year.  I also send regards to your father and wish
him well.  My children, Joseph and Rivkele, as well as Aunt
Esther and Uncle Lazer and the whole family here, wish you well.
 Rivkele is returning today from Opoczno.  I thank you, Sol, for
sending me the newspapers regularly.  With respect, your uncle,

					Wolf Lewkowicz

Please answer promptly.


All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.