Opoczno, 2 September 1926

My esteemed and beloved nephew and also beloved
   niece, Esther Zissman,

I wrote you a letter yesterday in response to your letter.
However, since I have news to give you, i.e., a mazel tov, I
am writing a second letter and enclose both letters in one
envelope.  At this very moment, i.e., at 2:50 my sister gave
birth and delivered a daughter into the world.  May G-d grant
that this newborn child will have brought abundant good
fortune to the world for herself and for all of us.

This time, my devoted one, I am fully authorized by my
brother-in-law and by my sister to notify you of the news in
their names.  They also ask you to forgive them for not
having written.  My sister is lying in bed and isn't able to
write.  On the other hand, my brother-in-law is so
overburdened with work that he has no free time to write.  In
any event, Sol, my writing is (the same as) their writing.
My sister is very happy that she gave birth to a daughter
because she has four sons and one daughter; now she will have
a second daughter.  Beyond that, she is happy because she
will bear the name of our mother, may she rest in peace.
Yes, dear Sol, a generation leaves and a generation comes,
and the world exists forever.  The world is created this way;
that's the way it is, and that's the way it has to be, and
that's the way it must be.

My sainted mother, how long is it since she was alive?  Gone,
passed away, a devoted, warmhearted, loving mother.  It was
difficult, very difficult, for me to part company with my
sainted mother.  But that's the way it is, and that's the way
it has to be, and that's the way it must be.  For us
children, her name will never be forgotten for as long as we
live.  And instead of a warmhearted, devoted, loving mother
who always offered herself for us children, we will have a
small child to raise, and perhaps this will heal our wounds
that are so fresh in our hearts.  May this new newborn child
have come to the world with much happiness and good
fortune!!!

Now, my devoted one, it is a custom among us Jews that when
Rosh Hashana approaches we have to make wishes to one another
or buy a card for money.  To be sure, to buy a card for money
I understand to be a simple business arrangement just as if
one were to rent a concert hall or a theater (to serve as a
place) to pray.  However, merely to make wishes without it
costing any money one can engage in without any limit and
without counting.

But, really, what am I to do here in a town, Opoczno, where
one can't buy a card for money, and here it is ten days
before Rosh Hashana, and I really must send wishes, first of
all because it doesn't cost any money.  Secondly, because I
want to express several heartfelt words to my devoted one
from the bottom of my heart.  Now, a New Year is approaching.
So your uncle prays to Almighty G-d that He enter you and
your worthy and precious wife and all of your close ones in
the Book of Life and in the Book of Good Health.  May all our
troubles be exchanged for joy and good fortune.  May your
name be renowned in the world.  May you be known and
respected by G-d and by people.  May no enemy in the world be
in a position to do harm to you, chas v'cholilah.  If you
should ever be in need, chas v'cholilah, may what you did for
those closest and dearest to you be remembered.

This is the only wish expressed by your devoted Uncle Wolf
and your devoted Uncle Eliezer.  We wish sincerely that you
and your wife and sisters, father, uncles, grandfather and
grandmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law and all your
friends may immediately be inscribed and sealed for a good
year and a good life.  The whole family wishes you a happy,
healthy year.

                              Your uncle,

                              Wolf Lewkowicz


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