Lodz, 1 May 1928 Dear beloved brother, as well as nephew, and niece, Sol and Esther Zissman, I have in due course received your humorous letter which you wrote at the end of Passover, and I want to answer it right away. Dear and devoted Sol, may I know of all things good as I knew in advance that you would make fun of your uncle's projects, such as bringing along an automobile, buying Persian lamb coats, etc. And in reality there is much to make fun of. Really, I am in Lodz, and you are in Chicago. I am poverty-stricken...and you have the bucks. I step forward and give you advice as to what to do. Isn't it foolish of me??? But, no matter, Sol, your uncle does not take offense at you, and you should not be aggravated at your uncle's projects. I am not responsible for what my thoughts dictated and the pen wrote. You have the alternative of not following my advice, but from my perspective I meant it quite seriously. The story was like this. Several months ago, I was at a place where, by chance, there was a man from America. I was informed that he came from Brooklyn. This man's sister told me that her brother came for a vacation. However, he maneuvered so that the cost of the trip will be minimal. He picked up an automobile in Danzig that he had purchased on credit in Brooklyn, drove around here with it for about three months, later sold it and bought two Persian lamb coats which he will sell in Brooklyn for double the price. I wasn't seeking anything here; I didn't want to make any profit. Perhaps I sought one thing in writing, to tempt you to make the trip, i.e., that it should become attractive for you to come. However, when I hear that you have made a decision to come, I only ask of G-d that you should have a successful summer and a good season and may you also be able to secure passage as quickly as possible and then have a safe trip. I am already counting the wonderful days that await both of us when we meet after not having seen each other for fifteen years... Further, dear and devoted Sol, you write that I should let you know whether I have received letters from my brothers-in-law in Toronto. So, my devoted one, I would have very much liked not to write you one word about them, but willingly or unwillingly I will have to fill a page or two about them. In my earlier letter, I wrote you that they don't write at all, and I don't know what to make of it. No answer at all came to three or four letters. Recently a letter arrived from my in-laws (living) at a strange address. I wanted to copy the letter for you just as it was written. However, my wife caught me in the act. She had such an argument with me that for two weeks we didn't speak to each other... Now the anger has passed, but she still doesn't know that I am writing you the substance of her parents' letter. The letter provides as follows. They hope that no human being will come to the stage that they did, to come to a child in their later years. They write that Shia is the same now as he was when he was young. He is a spendthrift and has fights with Berish in public. He attacked Berish and injured him severely because he didn't want to support their parents. They are suing each other in the courts. The old folks still had a few dollars so he told them to give them to him and then he would make the necessary arrangements for me and Hertzke. Now he says that he's not going to do it...let Berish do it... Ah, so give back the few dollars. He says to the old folks, "You've already eaten up more than that." Apparently he made an error. He thought that his elderly father would still be able to work. In the final analysis, what's the result??? He says that in America one has to work until he dies... In short, the letter they write is sad, and sadder still is their situation because now they have absolutely no way out. They write that if they knew that they still had a home here where they could settle, they would return. Who can help them now and who can advise them what to do when I can't help myself and can't come up with a solution for myself. I am a few years younger than they are, am a bit smarter than they are and, even so, am not able to help myself. Now, you will realize, my devoted one, what my brothers-in-law write. Well, I ask you, is it possible to come to an agreement with such people as to anything? Can one resolve anything with such people? One letter arrives that is filled with good news, and then another letter arrives that is filled with sadness. Well? Try to come to a common resolve with them. Of late, my wife has finally also become convinced that there is no one there one can deal with and particularly no one with whom to come to an understanding. I tell you, Sol, if I appraise someone, it's not necessary to question his categorization. I expressed my opinion of them twenty years ago and everything is turning out as I predicted. On the one hand, I am pleased that the old folks are groping for a way out and are in trouble there for the wrong they did me. Yet, on the other hand, I empathize with them. After all, they are parents and old people who are not able to help themselves. But who is more at fault than they themselves? For the sort of upbringing they gave their children, they are being repaid now. Well, Sol, I have hit you over the head with brothers-in-law, with parents-in-law, and so on. However, Sol, I will tell you that ordinarily I would not mention their names, but (I did) since the matter also concerns me and, in truth, I placed great hopes on them and thought that it would not be long and I would be able to enter through Canada. When all is said and done, what's the result? If I look over my situation, I see that I have to start over again at "A," and here I thought I was already at "Z." Further, as to your writing that the weather is neither warm nor cold, I can write you that, until eight days ago, we still had snow and cold weather. But for the last eight days, we have begun to see Spring. Business is very weak in Poland. There are a great many bankruptcies. Lodz is overflowing with goods, but there is nowhere to send it. There is no demand. Competition is fierce. I too am twisting like a snake and am not able to earn the $10-$12 a month that I require. I have used up (money) from before Passover until now. Balcia worked until today. Today, the first of the month, she is laid off. I don't know for how long! But let's hope that things will get better because it can't get any worse. Sol, why didn't you answer my request that you write me the year and day and date of the death of your mother, may she rest in peace? Please be good enough to fulfill my request because I need to know. So, nothing more of importance. Heartfelt regards for you and your dear Esther and dear sisters, Ruchele, Bryndl and her family. My wife and children send their heartfelt regards to you. Best regards to your in-laws, father, family, et al. The whole family sends heartfelt and loving regards to you. With respect, Wolf Lewkowicz Aunt Estherl, Uncle Lazer and family send their best regards to you. Bruchele is well, thank G-d. She is up and around and feeling fine. All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.