Lodz, 4 January 1937

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

I have received your letter of condolence to me, as well as to
my children, although there are no words of condolence that can
heal our wounds.  First of all, the wounds are still fresh and
cannot be healed so quickly.  Secondly, I am a person who is too
thoughtful in this sort of situation to make light of this whole
matter just as if nothing had happened...  Even though this
matter can't be corrected, even though I can't accomplish
anything with my complaining and weeping, nevertheless, devoted
Sol, I tell you that I, as well as my children, feel broken up
and vanquished by recent events.  

And, although your intelligent words of condolence speak to me
with wise and serious words respecting pulling myself together,
concerning being a devoted father to my children, nevertheless,
Sol, it is not of true condolence to me and to my children
because I was too devoted a husband to my late wife, may she
rest in peace.  I can't assume the blame for not being able to
save her from that terrible death.  Although people say that I
did everything in my power, nevertheless it seems to me that my
poverty, my weakness, my powerlessness were responsible for her
death because from life to death took twenty minutes, in toto,
and we weren't able to accomplish anything; to the contrary, the
children blame themselves for not being able to save their
mother...  

However, one can shout "live forever," but the thing happened. 
Willingly or unwillingly, we have to go on in life and worry
about a day's pay in order to make a living, and making a living
in Poland these days is not an easy thing to do, although it's
unnecessary to write to you about the "great times" in Poland
and of the torment that Jews have suffered recently because your
newspapers write of everything, and you know everything. 
However, unfortunately, you're not able to help in any way
because you are on one side of the ocean, and we are on the
other side of the ocean.  We can only see each other, but not
reach each other...  Not one of us here is envious of you there
who live in a land of freedom whose name is America.

I write you, dear Sol, that I haven't worked for the last four
weeks because our factory is closed until January 15.  I used my
free time to go to Opoczno to my sister.  Joseph was with me
too.  We were there for eight days; didn't have a bad time;
recovered a bit and forgot a bit about my troubles.  However,
now I'm in Lodz again; I don't have any work yet, but I hope to
be working soon.  Everything is in good order at Aunt Estherl's.
 They are all well there, thank G-d, and if it weren't for the
boycott by the Christians, they would make a living too. 
Through me, they send regards to all of you there from everyone.

What else shall I write to you?  Returning home last night, I
found a letter from Ruchel and from Ruth, a letter in Yiddish
from Ruchel and a letter in English from Ruth.  For the time
being, I send them my heartfelt regards as well as those of my
children.  I will answer their letters as soon as I have Ruth's
letter translated.  For now, I thank them for not forgetting me.

Further, what else is there to write to you?  There's nothing
new with us.  Everything is as it was.  One becomes accustomed
to a bad situation, and you think that this is the way it has to
be.  

Heartfelt regards to you, your worthy wife and dear son,
Leonard, as well as for your sisters, Ruchel, Ruth and Bryndl. 
My children, Rivkele and Joseph, send their heartfelt regards to
you; they'll write a separate letter to you and also enclose a
photograph of their mother...(taken) during her final days. 
Aunt Poria Lewin and Pinya Lewin send their regards to everyone;
he was engaged last week (to a girl) from Tomaszow.  Further,
regards to you from the whole family, such as Uncle Emanuel
Lewin's children; one daughter, Esther, lives in our building. 
She and her family send special regards to you; she reads all
your letters.  Write what's new with you as to health and
business.  What is the state of your latest balance sheet for
1936?  With respect,

		Your uncle, 

		Wolf Lewkowicz


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