Lodz, 22 October 1937

My devoted brother, as well as dear nephew, and niece, Sol
Zissman,

Four days ago, I received your dear letter to me, dated October
5, and a letter in English from Ruth.  You really merit my
answering you the same day, but you surely know that your uncle
always has a new explanation in order to excuse himself.  This
time, dear and devoted Sol, I have to tell you the truth; I was
very busy with my job.  As you already know from my earlier
letters, they were going to discharge me from my job.  At the
time, I begged them to let me continue to work until at least
October 1.  Seeing that the date was approaching and not wanting
to lose the job, even though I work hard and don't earn a great
deal and the wages are not compensatory, yet I surely didn't
want to hang around doing nothing and take relief for thirteen
weeks and then look around for a job.  It's possible to look and
not to find one; meanwhile, one becomes a beggar, an ignoramus,
and I was terribly afraid of that, Sol.

Therefore, I considered a variety of solutions and experiments
in order to remain at work in the factory.  I managed it so that
the old foreman was no longer the delegate (to management).  In
his place, another man was selected, a friend of mine, who spoke
up for my continuing to work and, thanks to G-d and thanks to my
insight which served me well at this critical time, I remain at
work without a fixed departure date.  This was the reason for my
making you wait four days for an answer.

Further, dear Sol, I write you that today, October 24 (sic), we
unveiled a tombstone for Aunt Malke, may she rest in peace.  The
children and I, as well as family and friends, shed a tear today
at the grave of our dearest and most beloved one.  We also had a
photograph taken at the grave.  If it turns out well, I will
send it to you.

Now, devoted Sol, I will attempt to answer your dear letter
about Joseph.  I can see that you are doing everything in your
power.  On the other hand, we here have also done something.  Up
to two weeks ago, we had to accumulate the necessary documents
and photographs, together with witnesses, and filled out the
necessary documents that the consulate in Warsaw had sent.  It
wasn't an easy piece of work; in addition, it cost quite a few
zlotys.  We sent all of this to the consul in Warsaw via the
immigration office.  There, the consul has to review all the
documents and determine whether the applicant for immigration
suits him.  Then they send him to a doctor, a psychiatrist, for
an examination.  Then several dollars have to be paid again, I
don't know how many, and when everything is completed, for the
first time, one gets a number from the consul that he is
registered for the future.  

Meanwhile, I have carefully studied the letter which the consul
wrote in Polish; if you want it, I can send it to you.  He
writes that so long as there is unemployment in America and so
long as (the classes) with a quota priority are not exhausted,
there is no hope that a cousin will be able to go to a cousin. 
Everything depends upon what judgment is made about the proper
applicant for immigration there in America.  There, where you
are, one's fate is determined.  Here they merely fill out what
they are told to fill out according to the instructions from
America.  In any event, dear Sol, let's hope that something will
eventually be done for Joseph.  

Your last letter gives me a great deal of hope and
encouragement.  I have already read it ten times,, and everyone
who hears your letter read is simply charmed by your devotion,
by your loyalty, to me and to my children.  Your most recent
letters have aroused great satisfaction  and rapture in Joseph
in particular.  On the other hand, I view with eyes wide open
every event, every step forward that we take.  

However, whatever happens, dear Sol, I have to express the
opinion that you are a very stubborn person and full of energy. 
This alone gives me hope that you will accomplish the task which
you have undertaken respecting my Joseph, and I will say, as you
have written, whether it takes six months or six years,
something may come of the work that you are doing there.  I feel
it, and I have hope for it, because you are doing it
wholeheartedly, without a commotion, without tumult, with care,
with love, with loyalty, with empathy for your beloved and dear
ones.  Yes, Sol, your sister, Ruth, writes to me and asks me why
I complain to my children there, i.e., to you all, to the
children of my sister, may she rest in peace.  So, I write to
you and to her that one can't explain this on paper.  However,
if you could penetrate into my heart and see what is going on in
my heart, how my heart pounds and wants to see you again before
my eyes.  Really, a day doesn't go by that we don't speak of
you.  While we feel alone here and depressed, your letters, Sol,
and your loyalty to us relieve us of all our melancholy, of all
our loneliness - wretchedness.  In addition, Ruth's letter
recently arrived with her love for us.  

So, I am completely confused.  From time to time, I ask myself a
question, "What compels you there, what influences you, to
demonstrate so much love to an uncle, to cousins, and so on?" 
Perhaps the troubled times, the hatred for Jews, the
persecution, the oppression that we have recently been enduring
in Poland, in Germany, etc., are responsible.  Believe me, I
would have much to write to you on this theme.  However, to be
silent is another way of speaking.  Furthermore, don't you see
everything before your open eyes?  Don't you read there in the
newspapers how terrible it is now for Jews in Poland?  Really,
life becomes worse from day to day.  Jews are driven out of
every position, out of every livelihood.  It is becoming
stressful for Jews here.  Life is threatened at every turn.  For
example, I have recently become aware of a joke concerning these
times:  "Shloyme says to his friend: 'Moshe, what advantage do I
have from being granted the good year that I prayed for...when
it's not safe for me to go out of the house?'"  

You write that I can also enclose a letter to Ruth in my letter
to you since it will be inexpensive and good.  Be aware of the
fact, Sol, that your uncle feels insulted by what you write.  I
can only tell you that I love you children too much (for that). 
And the issue of expense doesn't exist with respect to what we
love.  If I should need several cents for a postage stamp (for a
letter) to you, I am prepared to fast for a day in order not to
delay sending an answer to you.  In particular, Ruth's letters
have been of interest to me recently.  I sense a sort of love in
them.  I would like Ruchel ("Rose") and Bryndl ("Branye") to
take an example from her, i.e., from their youngest sister. 
(When) my children heard her letter to me read, they wept,
particularly my Rivkele.  She wept a great deal over the few
words that she (Ruth) writes about your Pa, father, not having
visited her, either at the wedding, or after the wedding...  I
am sending her an answer to her letter today.  She can be quite
comfortable in writing to me in English.  I have a man who
translates all her letters precisely into Yiddish.

Well, nothing more of importance.  I suspect that this letter is
a little too long for today. Particularly when you are busy
there with your stoves, it's certainly a little too long a
letter.  However, don't be angry this time, Sol, because I don't
weary of writing to you.  No matter how long a letter might be,
material remains for another letter.

So, I end my letter with heartfelt regards to you, your dear
wife and dear son, Leonard.  Write me whether he is a good
student.  I haven't seen a picture of him for a long time.  My
Rivkele sends heartfelt regard to you and your family.  Joseph
also sends you his loving and heartfelt regards.  He is not able
to study English at present because he doesn't have any means of
doing so; perhaps later, after the new year.  I'll write you the
reason in another letter.  The whole family, as well as Cousin
Esther, (the daughter of) Uncle Emanuel Lewin, and Aunt Poria
Lewin send their heartfelt regards to everyone.  Please answer
promptly.  With respect, 

		Your uncle,

		Wolf Lewkowicz


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