Lodz, 28 August 1928                       

Devoted, beloved and precious brother, as well as nephew, and 

 niece, S. and E. Zissman,  

I received your letter of the 30th eight days ago, and I am
answering it today.  First of all, my devoted one, I call to
your attention that, as far as your last letter is concerned,
you wrote it either in a mood of agitation or at a time when you
were busy since, e.g., you wrote that my letter did not set you
at ease even though it was twelve pages long.  Yes, my devoted
and beloved one, how can my letters set you at ease at this time
when I myself am not at ease?  I would consider myself very
fortunate if I could leave my devoted nephew alone, not bother
him with any long letters, but rather write short,
matter-of-fact, American-style (letters):  "My family and I are
fine and all right.  How do you feel and how's business???"  

Instead, I sit down and write you a 12-page, and sometimes a
16-page, letter, and you, devoted Sol, read and read and think
to yourself, "Among all my uncles, I have one who is a
schlimazel...who has already taken his toll on my good health
and..."  On the other hand, from my perspective, I understand
the situation very well and, here in Lodz, see that you are not
able to sleep there and really want to help me make my life
easier.  

However, devoted and beloved brother, what haven't you already
attempted on your uncle's behalf, eh?  Now, after twenty years
of struggling, after all the financial assistance that was
provided for me by my closest one, I hear how there are
negotiations taking place concerning us.  So, for example, I
received a letter from my in-laws in which they write that their
son, Berish, has received two letters from you about our being
brought there.  They, the in-laws, would very much like us to
come there.  However, devoted Sol, I do not know whether you
alone have the wherewithal to make it happen without the
assistance of Malke's brothers.  (My in-laws also write that
tickets for a ship have become less expensive.  It used to cost
$140, and now it costs only $115.  Is this true?)  I have to
tell you frankly, my devoted one, that I have not corresponded
with them recently and their treatment of their sister is very
cold-blooded.  There's not 10% of the love that exists, for
example, between you and me or between my sister and me.  I also
do not know the cause of the chilly relationship between them. 
Aunt Malke wrote to them recently that she asks nothing of them
other than the necessities, i.e., a permit, and that we'd
concern ourselves later as far as tickets and travel costs are
concerned.  Admittedly, dear Sol, when we consider, both Aunt
Malke and I, to whom we are journeying, to break up everything,
to exhaust all our resources, and to come to an alien country
with an unknown language, powerless, homeless, a shudder runs
through our bones, both mine and your Aunt's.  

However, what choice do we have when we look around and see how
serious our situation is?  So, for example, I have nothing here
that is set, nothing determined, no existence.  If, once in a
while, I make fifty cents or a dollar, it arises from some sort
of deal.  I am nauseated and disgusted by wandering through the
streets in search of "Elijah the Prophet."  I can't get a job
because people who are younger than I and more educated than I
are wandering about without jobs.  

The result is that one eats up the last dollar that one still
possesses.  My Balcia works hard; she earns $2.00-$2.50 a week,
just about as much as she needs for clothing.  And when we
consider how we are ever going to manage to arrange a wedding
for a child under such circumstances...believe me, Sol, we don't
want to take a ship to Canada, we want to fly there...because we
have nothing to lose.  If ordinary folks such as we are are not
able to get along in Lodz, a city of a half million people, we
are compelled to make a change in our lives whether we will be
successful or not, whether we improve our situation or not. 
However, one thing we know and feel is that our children will
certainly attain their goal.  Their situation will certainly
improve and, as of now, this is my quest and goal.  

What about your trip here, dear brother, although I don't have
to remind you because you yourself wrote me that you have to
complete several things, e.g., the contract (lease on 2954
Lincoln Avenue), etc.  And then you will have to see about
earning enough for the journey...  As you have recently written,
and as I read in the newspaper, this is not a great time for
business in America because the Presidential election must be in
full swing by now.  But what difference does the election make
to your customers?  They don't want to sleep on the ground, and
they don't want to freeze in winter.  After all, they have to
buy your beds and your stoves that you prepared for them!!!  

As to your writing me that you have been working of late with a
fellow from Czestochowa in an upholstery partnership, it is very
suitable for your store.  I am very pleased that you are not
working as hard.  I wish you success in your partnership.  May
you have better fortune in your partnership than I had with my
partnerships...  

Further, as to your writing that you read that there was a fire
in Lodz in which 300 lives were lost, I can write that six weeks
ago a chemical factory exploded.  It was very warm and the
chemicals exploded from spontaneous combustion.  There were no
deaths.  Only three people were injured and as many as 10,000
windows were broken.  The fire was put out the same night.  On
the other hand, practically everyone in the city heard the
explosion.  

What else shall I write to you, my devoted one?  Here in Lodz,
it's two weeks before Rosh Hashana.  It won't be long until we
again have to go to the synagogue, again make a report as to the
past year and pray for life in the new year.  To be sure, as far
as health is concerned, there is nothing to complain about. 
Except that Aunt Malke and Rifchele are constantly under
medication, we are all fine.  May G-d grant that we never lack
what we need for good health.  

Further, dear and devoted Shloyme, I ask that you send me a long
and detailed letter about everything and everyone.  I also ask
you to write me about your coming here, if you've made any
progress, whether it will be this year or next year or whether
you may even have completely abandoned your plan.  I also ask
that you let me know what my brother-in-law, Berish, has written
to you recently and how you evaluate his letters.  And write me
your opinion about our going to Canada.  And if you can
negotiate (it) with Berish, perhaps it would be possible for us
to acquire the tickets on credit, to pay out over time, so that
I will be able to pay for them myself after I arrive. I don't
want to break or ruin anyone.  

I hope, devoted Sol, that, on your side, you won't become weary
and will do everything that is in your power to do to make our
lives easier.  Believe me that I am so depressed and dejected
that I don't believe at all that things will ever again be good
for me and no longer think about myself but about my children. 
I can neither raise them according to my standards, nor can I
set them up with firm ground under their feet.  Life here in
Poland is very difficult.  99% of the people are suffering along
with me.  

So, nothing more of importance.  Heartfelt regards to you, your
wife, sisters and family, and I wish that all of you may be
inscribed and sealed for a good year.  My wife, Aunt Malke, my
children and the whole family also send their heartfelt regards.
 Two weeks ago, Wolf Lewin left here for Belgium.  Not being
able to exist in Kinsk as a barber, he left to pursue a career. 
Aunt Estherl, Uncle Lazer and the children send their regards. 
Their oldest son, Wowche, is staying with me.  He is learning a
trade here as a pastry baker. Everyone sends regards and wishes
for a Happy New Year.                              

        With respect,                       

        Wolf Lewkowicz


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