Lodz, 12 September 1937 To my dear and devoted brother, as well as nephew, niece and son, I received your important letter yesterday, Saturday, and I am following your advice. In order to return to our normal correspondence, I am answering you right away today, Sunday, two days before Yom Kippur. Dear and devoted Sol, you write and criticize me for delaying Joseph's registration for five years. So I write to you "not to criticize your brother until you stand in his place;" never criticize without first-hand knowledge. It's true that you read there of the news and events taking place in Poland; you're angry with yourself, but don't assume that your uncle is such an idiot. Just imagine if someone were to come to you with a suggestion that you send away your only son, Leonard, for an indeterminate period. Even if your mind were to tell you that you must do it in order to assure his continued existence, you would nevertheless consult with your dear wife in such a situation...and a mother has different ideas about the future of a child. It was the same with me, Sol. My wife, may she rest in peace, viewed the situation differently, had a different opinion than I did, even loved differently than I did as a father. I don't want to cause any blight on her memory, but our ideas, our opinions, did not mesh in this respect. Therefore, Joseph has to suffer now... And don't you have any pain because of it, dear Sol, because I have learned that, of all those who registered, not one person has left yet. They are just waiting until the quota (priorities) have been used up by parents going to children, by children going to parents, by wives going to husbands, etc! I am doing what you want, Sol, and am doing everything I can do in order that Joseph might be registered. For example, I have already received a second letter from the consulate. I am only waiting for a birth certificate from Kinsk. In the next few days, we'll fill out the papers and send them to Warsaw. My son, Joseph, doesn't want to write anything to you now; he also doesn't want to thank you for your efforts on his behalf. He will write you immediately after he has filled out the papers. He only wishes that you and your family will be completely sealed for a good year! Now, dear Sol, I thank you for the generosity which you show to your uncle. No, a thank you is insufficient. Since today is the eve of Yom Kippur, I would merely like to take your hand in mine, look directly into your eyes, and say nothing because our hearts would surely sense by themselves what each of us wished to say to the other. Sol, I will go to the synagogue for Yom Kippur this year even though it will be with a broken heart, remembering that a year ago my wife was still alive, although she was ill, lying in bed; nevertheless, I was not as vanquished and depressed as I am today... Today I stood with my children at the grave of my wife, may she rest in peace, and shed a tear for the unfulfilled, difficult years that she endured and for our loneliness because of her having left us prematurely... However, when I look about and see what refined and good children I have, when I see that I have such a devoted brother and friend as you, Sol, I myself am amazed. And I am even more amazed by your treatment of me, by your wisdom, by your alacrity, by your genuineness. And not only I am amazed by it, but (also) whoever becomes interested in your letters. People are simply envious of me because I have such a devoted nephew. And, in reality, they have reason to be envious of me because...can a value be set on our devotion to each other??? I am often astonished by the burden you have assumed on behalf of your sisters and family. Yes, Sol, even though your uncle is at a great distance from you, he nevertheless sees that you are the pillar around which everything revolves. I see that your sister, Bryndl, had an operation and gave birth to a daughter; I see that your sister, Ruth, was married; and you, as the sole, devoted brother are the principal attendant, as father and as mother... I also see that you are a good and devoted husband and father. I see that you are a thorough and capable merchant, and no value can be set on your alacrity. No matter how busy you are, no matter how overworked you are, you don't forget to send the newspapers to your uncle punctually. In addition, instead of a greeting card, you send your uncle $20. Yes, Sol, when one reminds himself that he has such a brother, such a friend, in the world as you, one doesn't feel the lonesomeness with as much intensity. Instead, I think about and pray to G-d that we will yet have the honor to see each other during our lifetimes. Although your last letter was written in an accusatory tone, I feel, nevertheless, that you are concerned with my well-being; you are concerned with saving a person from Hell. And whether Poland these days is a Hell, you can see for yourself from what the newspapers write. I am enclosing a newspaper article dealing with excesses in Opoczno that take place repeatedly. The government is powerless to oppose the hooligan tactics of the Endikys. They humiliate us so in order to make us run away from here. But where are we to run when all the doors are locked to keep the Jews out? Further, dear Sol, I read in your letter that business has improved, that there are hopes for a good season, that you are not working hard, that you are satisfied with your life. I am happy to read all this. I believe that you know how to conduct your life so that it is dear and sweet. Further, as for me, I write that eleven months have already passed since Aunt Malke died. My children and I have conducted ourselves in such a way that love and devotion and understanding exists between us. Rivkele has returned from Opoczno and, thank G-d, is feeling well. She is running the household. Joseph is working in a hosiery office; he earns very little because he is not yet eighteen years old; he is only an assistant salesperson. I myself am putting together a plan so that I will not be laid off work; I'll write you in more detail about everything in my next letter. Further, there's nothing important at Aunt Esther's in Opoczno. Thank G-d, everyone there is well. In addition, the whole family is well, thank G-d. As far as Ruth is concerned, I can write you that I sent a letter to her at her address two weeks ago. Surely, she has received it. I am happy to read that your Esther and Ruth get along like two sisters. They must both be smart, and a smart person can always be agreeable. Bryndl should not be jealous of her; she can have the same pleasure. And what's new with Ruchel? Is she well? Is she working? Why doesn't she ever write? Whoever isn't able to write Yiddish should write in English. I'll find a solution. I ask you, Sol, when you write me a letter now, write me a long letter. In spite of the fact that it will be in the midst of your season and you won't have a lot of time, I am nevertheless anxious to hear about all of you there, about how you are feeling, how you are getting along. Write me in detail about everyone, about Ruchel, Bryndl, Ruth and her husband. I would very much like to become acquainted with him through correspondence. Describe for me the sort of man Ruth married, whether he's American-born or an immigrant. Also write me what's new with your father recently, as well as your uncles, aunts, cousins, et al. Well, nothing more of importance to relate. With respect to the man from Brooklyn, I will find out his address and send it to you. However, I suspect that it's not at all necessary because he's already left Poland. I end my letter with heartfelt regards for you, your worthy wife and dear son, Leonard. Heartfelt regards for Ruchel, Bryndl and Ruth and their families. My children, Rivkele and Joseph, send you their heartfelt regards. All of us wish you a Happy New Year and a year of good fortune. The whole family sends heartfelt regards to all. Wish everyone a Happy New Year. Please answer promptly. With respect, Your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.