Opoczno, 3 October 1928  

Our dear and precious brother, as well as nephew,  You will
surely be amazed at a letter postmarked from Opoczno and yet
bearing the handwriting of Uncle Wolf.  It's really a question. 
So, my devoted and precious one, I point out to you that today
is an intermediate day of Succos, and my sister and
brother-in-law invited me, just like that, to unburden their
hearts about what saddens them, about what upsets them, all year
long.  And although I can not advise or help, other than with a
kind word, nevertheless they are pleased that I came and that we
have dealt with the matter.  

It has to do with bringing about a good deed respecting
providing a dowry for a bride.  Uncle Lazer has another sister,
an orphan, who has entered into an arrangement leading to a
marriage and there was no one to contribute toward the dowry... 
And Moshe Zilberspitz once again "got into the act" and wanted
to "take on" Lazer...  Briefly, there was some arguing about
inheritances.  Lazer became angry and Esther wept and...counted
(out money)...1,000 zlotys so far, i.e., $112, and the deal was
made.  The dowry was provided.  

The wedding will take place in a short while.  Surely you and I,
their family, will receive invitations to the wedding.  I have
known for a long while that you will not be coming to the
wedding, but Aunt Estherl still doesn't believe it.  She won't
hear of it.  She has letters from you (which say) black on white
that you are coming, perhaps this year.  Ah, ah, ah, that a
spirit intruded...and interfered...she won't hear of.  She even
has a complaint against you.  She says that it's not very nice
of you.  What's to be done with the cherry wine, with the
preserves?  Who will finish eating all the curd-dumplings, all
the pastries that have to be gobbled up...?  So, Shloyme, you've
really played a trick on all of us...  But whatever will be will
be, as long as we hear good news. 

Now, dear and devoted brother, you are surely angry at your Aunt
Estherl because she doesn't write to you.  So, my devoted one,
you should have become aware long ago that your aunt slaves away
from 5:00 in the morning until midnight.  You can't visualize
how abnormal life is here.  Uncle Lazer finishes baking and goes
to sleep.  On the other hand, she has to sell the baked goods
and selling is more difficult than preparing...  In any event,
devoted Sol, you need to, and must, forgive her.  Furthermore,
Uncle Lazer wrote you a letter to which they are impatiently
awaiting an answer.  Dear Sol, write them a long letter telling
about everything and everyone because you can't imagine the love
that exists between you and your Aunt Estherl, Uncle Lazer, and
so on.  

Perhaps I would write you a longer letter, but I don't have any
patience because I am in a hurry to get to the train.  My sister
will finish the rest of the letter.  

So, heartfelt and loving regards to you; also heartfelt regards
to my dear niece.  Regards to your father, sisters, uncles,
grandmother, et al.  My wife and children send their heartfelt
regards to all of you.  Please send your answering letter to me
in Lodz and to my                                

sister in Opoczno.

       With respect,                               

       Wolf Lewkowicz   

Dear Sol, perhaps you see Abram (Lieberman) and Zalman (Sam
Hellman), whose wives are related to cousins of the prospective
bride.  It wouldn't spoil anything if you were to remind them
that they once received help from their aunt, i.e., Lazer's
mother, who now needs help...  I wonder if you ever see them,
Sol, and whether there is anything they can do to help and
whether your talking to them might have some effect...on them.  

        With respect,                                   

My dear nephew, 

I hope that you have succeeded in praying for a good, healthy
year for yourself and your dear wife and all of your (family). 
Now, my dear nephew, I ask you not to be offended because I
delayed in answering you.  Now you're doing the same to me.  I
am waiting for a letter from you.  I don't know what to think. 
This is not your nature.  I thought that you would arrive here
unannounced, and that's why you haven't written.  However, since
my brother has told me that the situation has changed, may it be
for the best.  I am also pleased because of this...  Now, my
dear nephew, write me how Ruchele is, how Bryndl and her husband
are, how their son is.  Why don't they ever write a letter?  May
they have succeeded in praying for everything good.  And how is
Rifchele, may she be well and strong.  Write me a long letter. 
Don't be angry.  If I had wings to fly over to you to look at
you all, I would be one of the happiest people in the world.  I
worry about you all a great deal.  We have no news to report. 
Everything is as it was.  There is no more news.  Be well and
strong.  From me, your never to be forgotten aunt who lives with
the hope of speaking to you face to face. I sign my name, 

        Esther Chmielnicki. 

Heartfelt regards to your dear wife.  Heartfelt regards to
Ruchele, Bryndl, her husband and her son.  Heartfelt regards to
my dear Rifchele.  Heartfelt regards to your in-laws.  Heartfelt
regards from my husband to all of you. Regards from my sons and
daughters.  From me, your aunt.  


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