September, 1923

Very beloved, precious, devoted nephew with your worthy name,
Sol Zissman,  

I sit now and wonder what sort of wish to send you, what to
request for you for the New Year.  Really, my heart desires to
take your hand and to grasp it firmly and to wish you personally
several good blessings for the New Year.  However, since I do
not have you here close to me and can't accomplish it, I will
have to be content with a page of paper.  Really, dear nephew, I
looked around a lot in order to buy a more appropriate greeting
card for you but, as if in spite, I wasn't able to find it.  I
was looking for a card that would convey a message, e.g., of a
person drowning and another saving him, or of a person who falls
and another helping him to stand up, and so on.  

Yet, yet, dear Shloymele, wishing isn't everything.  The most
important thing is that our hearts understand each other... 
What we wish for each other, may it come to pass for both of us.
However, it has become a custom, I don't know whether in America
too, but here in Poland wishes are sent.  And we wish, we keep
wishing.  Perhaps, after all, something will come to pass.  

Therefore, my devoted one, I wish for the New Year that you be
granted good fortune, good health and a long life from heaven. 
May you and your whole family be inscribed in the Book of Life. 
May you bring good fortune everywhere you may go.  May heaven
protect you from everyhing evil and everything wretched so that
your name may be known around the whole world.  May you and your
whole family be protected from sorrow.  From now on, may nothing
that is hurtful occur again in your home and may there be
reports only of pleasure and happiness.  May you live happily. 
May you never be in need.  May you always have enough bread to
be satisfied and merit being able to provide bread to another... 

Your uncle wishes that you may be inscribed and sealed for a
good year.  I also wish that your dear father and his whole
family be inscribed and sealed for a good year.  I don't know if
he is angry with me.  Why doesn't he write me a post card once
in a while.  Nevertheless, I wish him a happy and healthy year. 
I also send good wishes for the new year to your sisters, Rose,
Branye and ...   Before I forget, yesterday, I received a short
letter from you with $5.  I thank you sincerely for the kindness
which you have always shown me.  I am waiting impatiently for a
letter from you because I sense that something is upsetting you.
Something is bothering you.  Talk about it, and you'll feel
better.  My family and I send regards to you and your family and
wish you well.                               

       Your uncle,                                

        Wolf Lewkowicz    

(This was written on a printed New Year's card addressed to Mr.
Shloyme Zissman, his father and sisters by his uncle, Wolf
Lewkowicz.)


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