Lodz, 18 August 1924 My dear and devoted nephew, worthily named Sol Zissman, I received your dear and devoted letter, and I thank you for your kind writing to let me know that you had a discussion with your uncle who came to visit you. So, my dear child, I can only say that your uncle said most unsuitable things to you--for example, that he is opposed to immigration and that he can't stand immigrants. If I had happened to be at that table, I would only have had to glance at your uncle, and he wouldn't have dared to talk like that. I am surprised that your in-laws didn't comment on this, but I understand that they didn't want to cause any unpleasantness in their home. Dear Sol, I can only say that you should behave as I do. When you get together with your uncle again, evaluate him only as an uncle, not as a genius or as a person with whom you can get into political discussions. I can see that your uncles know as much about politics as I do about geography. Furthermore, it comes as no surprise to me. (After all,) where do they come from? From Slovne! Among your father's brothers, your father was considered to be among the smar- test, since he had studied at one of his grandfathers in Konskie in a regular cheder, but they... I understand only too well that it is not he (your uncle) who talks, but his money. I want to give you a short illustration. Once, in a small town, a meeting was held before Passover about flour (for matsos) for the poor. Usually they called together chasidic scholars, wealthy men, and heads of households. Among them (this time) was a peasant who had recently become rich. Ordinarily, each one in turn spoke his mind about the sub- ject at hand. When the rabbi asked this peasant why he was silent, the peasant took out his purse of money and said, "Why are you asking questions of me? It would be better if you asked my money. You're really not interested in my opinion. You obviously want my...(money). So ask my purse." Dear Shloyme, you shouldn't have started to discuss politi- cal questions with your uncle unless you had a reason for it. When I get together with my uncles, I also always have aggravation, because the time has not yet come when we agree on anything. My Uncle (Yankl) Lewin always says that he is "all right," that he has worked his way up, that he has already stocked up on wood, coals, potatoes, juices, preserves, etc., for the winter. But when I asked him if he has also seen to it that his poor sister has enough bread to eat, he is dumbfounded and doesn't know what to say. In the end he leaves, feeling that I have insulted him. I can only say this much my dear (child), with my poorer uncles and aunts I can have a conversation. Nevertheless, I would like all these uncles and aunts and their families, both far and near, to see a bit of the world and become acquainted with it. Let them see with their own eyes and penetrate into every place and every corner. (Let them see) where it is dark, where there is light, where it is neces- sary to suffer with someone, to moan with someone and also, sometimes, to help. I think that all of their juices and preserves would not help to save these faint hearts. They should visit Ellis Island, etc. But let us leave the matter to their discretion. Concerning what you wrote me, that every day you work with your auto to pay off my money. This causes me much pain. I would be happy if I, myself, with my own ten fingers could work to pay off the money. Shloymele, let us hope that I will one day send the money back to you, since both my wife and I have decided that just as soon as I have $100 of my own, (we'll) send you payments of $10 at a time. At the moment, dear child, things are hard. I used all our money for the apartment, and I had to add $25. I am very happy with the apartment. Meanwhile, may G-d grant us good health and a good living. I think of you, my dear (child), every minute, every moment, since economically speaking, I have bettered my situation quite a bit, thanks to you. My livelihood is uncertain, since the times here in Poland are very bad. Nevertheless, I hope that in time I will be able to establish myself prop- erly without being dependent on anyone. My children are growing up and will soon start to earn (something). I will only have to suffer another few years, since life is hardest when the children are growing up, when one has to tutor them, to feed them, to clothe them, and so on. And I am their only means of support, without any help from my wife or a child. I have become somewhat ruined in the three years that I've lived in Lodz. I am so destroyed that I cannot forget my partners for a second. May G-d repay them for the "good" that they've done me. I have nothing more of import to report. I send you heart- felt and loving regards. My wife, your aunt, also sends you heartfelt regards. Heartfelt regards from me to your beloved fiancee, worthily named Esther Malke. Heartfelt regards from me also to your future in-laws, to your father, to your dear grandmother, your uncles, and so on. Your whole family sends regards for all the best. Your dear grandmother, your aunt and uncle from Opoczno (also send regards). From me, your uncle, who hopes for your happiness, With respect, Wolf Lewkowicz Dear Sol, please excuse me for not writing a longer letter. I am busy putting together a budget for G-d, who has to have everything for the coming new year. Since there is not much time left, I must send it in for appproval. In another letter, I will spell out all that I have requested that G-d grant me. Dear Sol, a few words about my dear brother-in- law and my dear sister. Originally, they were to add a letter of their own to my letter. My letter, however, has been ready for two days and I can't wait any longer, so I'll write you short biographies of them. When Uncle Lazer receives a letter from you, he reads it over ten or twelve times. He reads it at breakfast, at lunch, and at supper, as well as when he's at work. When he makes his rolls, your letter is on the pastry board, and he reads it over again. He cannot get enough of your writing. He has a brother in New York, a rich uncle, and an aunt, but entire years go by without his receiving a letter from them. He is a bit embarrassed by this and doesn't talk much about it. He would love to answer your dear, devoted letters to him, but, first of all, he is very busy. Second of all, he works at night and sleeps during the day. And now his work has doubled due to the new law that a baker working alone, without an assistant, doesn't have to pay a special tax. Even one's wife who helps to sell is considered an assis- tant. In that case, one has to pay. The result is that he has to drive himself day and night and get involved in deal- ing with small-minded bureaucrats. They want to take away half of his possessions for 1926 taxes. So, dear Sol, you can imagine that he has very little pati- ence for writing, since he works at night and has to deal with governmental officials during the daytime. Therefore, he has asked me to write in his name to ask you to excuse his silence. He hopes that you will put yourself in his position (and excuse him). He will write to you just as soon as he has the time. Until then, let us hear good tid- ings from each other. He sends you, your dear bride, Esther, and your in-laws, your father, and your family heartfelt regards. As if signed by Lazer Chmielnicki Wolf Now about my dear sister, your aunt. When she reads over a letter that I have written to you, she says that it is too short. She says that it should be at least ten times as long. I've written too little, illuminated too little. She would like to write with her eyes. But what can one do? The customers don't permit it. I write about all that she wants to describe and explain, and then she says that there's nothing left for her to write. Nevertheless, she'd like to write you something. She prays to G-d that she may be worthy to see you before her eyes once again. She always hopes that you will yet come to Europe. Your father's treatment of his children hurts her very much and deepens the wounds in her heart. Just as you, Sol, in Chicago see what is going on here with us, she sees what is happening there in Chicago between the children and their father, who has recently been entranced by his.... Sol, your devoted aunt prays that you don't take it too much to heart. The time will come when your father will awaken from his sleep sobered and will look around for his chil- dren, who will already have become estranged from him-- neglected, ignored, dispersed far and wide. May it not be too late. This is what my sister thinks. She asks also, Sol, that you write her especially long letters about yourself, about Ruchele, about Bryndele, and Rifchele, about everything that is happening there, in every respect. Your letters are like jewels to here, like pearls. She shows them to whoever comes (into the house) and says, "You see how he writes from America to an aunt?" A day doesn't go by, not even an hour, that we don't think about you chil- dren or talk about you. My sister asks you to write even longer and livelier letters to her, so that she may something to read and to boast about to her neighbors and acquaintances. She sends you all regards and signs her name, Esther Chmielnicki Wolf Lewkowicz Postcard Dear and Beloved Cousin, We're taking advantage of this good opportunity to send you and your fiancee, our cousin, New Year's wishes for the year 5685. Balcia and Regina Lewkowicz My children send you a greeting in Polish, since they don't know (how to write) Yiddish. I think that you will be able to read it. My worthy wife sends regards to you and your worthy fiancee and her family and also wishes everyone a happy year. I also send regards to your future in-laws, your father and your sisters. May they all be inscribed in the book of life All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman. for a good year.