Lodz, 5 July 1928 Most beloved and precious brother, as well as nephew, I received your letter, dated June 2, and I thank you heartily for your good words. Even though I wanted to answer you last week, I don't know the reason (why I didn't), a bit of laziness, a bit of procrastination, and I simply don't have anything important to relate. In addition, I was waiting to receive another letter from you. I thought I would answer both of them at one time. However, Sol, you aren't unemployed. You don't answer as quickly as I would like to hear from you. Sometimes, you deal falsely with me. You also answer three of my letters with one, just like that student in Hebrew school who, told by the Rabbi to come and pray every day, came on Sunday, finished the prayers for the whole week at one time and left... Dear and devoted Sol, why should I polemize about this when I know very well that one can't always permit himself to sit down and write a letter to an uncle, particularly in Europe, in which one attempts to recount all of the occurrences, all the details. It's the same with me too, devoted Sol. There are days and even weeks when I have even too much time. But what happens many times is that I sit down to write a letter to my devoted and beloved brother, and I don't know the reasons why I am not able to write...the mind doesn't dictate and the steel pen is heavy as lead so that I have to put everything aside until another time when the mind is somewhat more at ease, when the sweat on my brow vanishes. Many times it turns out that I have to change my plans for writing completely, even though I feel that if I were to write everything down I would feel a little better, just as you do, i.e., when you write about your brother-in-law, Bryndl's husband, or about your father, knowing very well that I can be of no assistance. Nevertheless, you feel a little a bit better. It's just the same with me. Many times I want to write to you about some details that oppress me, that upset me, and nevertheless I don't write. Do you know why, Sol? Because you, with your clever mind, can give it a different interpretation. And, instead of (sending) me a letter of encouragement or or a letter of advice, you might send me a check for several dollars and you might wonder, "Why is my uncle bothering me with a long story? His only purpose is the bottom line (money)..." So, my devoted and beloved Sol, I convinced myself, i.e., with the thought that I should write less in the letters that I write to you, i.e., that I should not conduct myself as all the Polish Jews who always write sad and complaining letters to America. I will try to see to it that my letters will always be pleasant and mirthful, and we'll defer everthing, Sol, that piles up in our hearts to another time when our dear G-d will grant us the opportunity to talk to one another face to face. For the time being, I am satisfied that you changed your decision respecting your father since you don't want to argue with him anymore. It's better to look the other way, in order not to see. Yes, Sol, what you're doing is very good. I was happy to hear such soothing words from a hero who is confident in his cause and who, nevertheless, extends his hand in peace. I can only add my prayer that the peace may last for many years. As to your having observed that your father is already turning gray, don't be surprised, my devoted child. Good years and happy years make a person look younger. To the contrary, bad years and sad years make a person old and gray before his time! You surely at one time learned how Jacob, our ancestor, came before Pharaoh. He asked him how old he was. He answered that he wasn't as old as Pharaoh thought but that his most recent years had been very bad... It's the same with your father, devoted Sol. I believe that your uncle is five or six years younger than your father and, nevertheless, I have been gray for two or three years. Further, Sol, with respect to your having written about Uncle Emanuel Lewin, l visited him this Sabbath. I even showed him your letter. HIs situation is really terrible, and his illness is incurable, but he nevertheless asks nothing of anyone in the family, except of you. When Uncle Yankel Lewin was here three weeks ago with Aunt Poria buying a silk coat, I made him aware of Uncle Emanuel's difficult economic situation, and something compelled him to send ten zlotys, i.e., $1.10, through me... Aunt Chaya Rifke does better; she stuffs her ears and doesn't hear...at all. However, ten or fifteen years ago, when she sensed that he had a few rubles, she borrowed them from him at interest, no less (and she "forgot" to pay him back)... However, Sol, what difference does it make? When you sent $5, you surely did not commit a sin, and you can encounter good deeds here wherever you turn. Concerning givers and takers...I would have to talk with you all night, but this is not the place for it. I write you only one thing, Sol, may G-d give you strength so that you will not tire giving to all those who will stretch out their hands to you... But only I do not want to be among them. May G-d protect me from such good fortune. I am content if I have enough bread and salt to be sated, so long as I do not have to stretch my hand out to anyone, chas v'cholilah. There is a proverb: (To learn about an illness,) don't go to the doctor, go to the patient... Sol, if you should come, we will deal better with this matter because it's difficult to deal with on paper. So, there is nothing more of importance to convey. There is nothing new with us right now. My wife, the children and I are feeling all right except for my Rifkele who is not feeling well. She always needs medical care and is very weak. Nevertheless, she finished fifth grade in grammar school and has now entered the sixth grade. My darling Joseph is a fine lad. He finished first grade in grammar school with a good report card. Further, Balcia is not working because this is not the season. The work will begin in another four weeks. Further, please write me about how you and everyone else is feeling and making a living. Have you signed a new lease for the store already? Will you stay at the same place, 2954 (Lincoln Ave.), or will you move, and how are things there in general this year? From what I read, elections there will take place very soon. I am certain that you will not be elected President, but let me know whom you support, Hoover or Smith. I am certain that neither one of them will let me into the Golden Land... I am enclosing a newspaper article concerning the elections there and also about an excursion that is coming from America to Lodz. If you are preparing to come, you can join them and, in this way, it will cost you a lot less. So, I close my letter with heartfelt regards for you, for your dear wife, for your in-laws, sisters, father, family, et al. My wife and children, family, Uncle Lazer, Aunt Estherl and the whole family send their heartfelt and loving regards. Please answer promptly. With respect, your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz LIpowa 44 Lodz, Poland All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.