Lodz, 8 May 1925 To my beloved and devoted nephew and dear niece Shloyme and Esther Zissman, I sit here and wonder to myself what the reason might be for my not having received a letter from you. Why haven't you written to me? Really, I expected letters from you, long letters with a rich content which would enable me to visualize the way your life is there, my devoted and beloved nephew, in all ways. But it turns out that you don't write to me at all; you got the best of me. Really, Sol, why are you so correct and proper? I understand very well (the reason for) your silence. You figure, "Since my uncle doesn't write to me, why should I write to him? If he should write, I'll answer him." Isn't that the way it is? Secondly, G-d knows how your business is doing. Also, I'm more than certain that if your business were in great shape, you would surely let your uncle know. And, most importantly, you have to use your free time on more important things... than writing to an uncle. As for me, I don't want to pester you; after all, I was also a young man once... I was also at one time deeply involved in a business; whether good or bad, I never had time to write a letter. But, nevertheless, I did know to whom I should write and to whom I shouldn't write. Dear Sol, in one of your earlier letters, you set down your whole biography, and wrote of your "wealth" and your "estate," etc., and your request was that I express my opinion about your accomplishments, your business skills, etc., etc. From my perspective, I analyze the situation as follows: a forsaken young man, 22-23 years old, without anyone's help, relying only on himself...you've accomplished a lot. Others of your age either work for someone else or rely on their parents for help while you have made remarkable progress. In this respect, you are a person who comprehends and understands the world. You are, in fact, a victim who has been debased. You've been through a lot in this world, but I'm sure that eventually you'll have the opportunity to establish yourself on a solid basis, not on shaky ground. You find yourself in a land of opportunities; you have a good head for business; you have initiative; you are able, etc. The only thing you need to add is to have a little good luck, and then you'll be a permanent success. Don't think, Sol, that if you were richer than you are and less fortunate in another dimension that it would be any better. I know wealthy people who are ill, chas v'cholilah, who are not content...and so on. In a word, ayze oysher hasamayach b'chelko...Who is a rich man?..he who is satisfied with his lot. Be content (and) you'll always be rich. You're still young; there's time for you to become wealthy. Respecting your last letter in which you described all the mishaps which you've experienced in your life, yes, Sol, one does have to be strong enough to overcome all the events and experiences which await a human being. On this subject, I have to point out to you that I've determined that the only ones who really suffer are "menschen," and on the other hand those people who are the opposite of "menschen" don't suffer at all. A great deal can be written on this subject. In a word, when a person experiences good times, everthing that happened to him (in the past) is forgotten. If the reverse takes place, chas v'cholilah, he always remembers to recite all his experiences as if he had recorded all the particulars in a diary. Further, dear Sol, I can inform you that I have received the picture of you and your worthy bride, and we thank you very much for it. You ask for my reaction to the picture; I can tell you that you don't look well. Perhaps you were terrified at taking such a momentous step in your life, in addition to today's tough times and circumstances. Your mind must also have been working on a personal balance sheet respecting your past, present and future. Therefore, one can see a pensiveness in your appearance. On the other hand, your bride looks very good, pleasant, with a smile on her lips showing satisfaction that she has achieved her goal, that she has attained what her young heart desired and sought. So, live happily, both of you, and share your joy and also, chas v'cholilah, your sorrow. Be of assistance to each other in difficult times. Enjoy all that is in this world...for I bear no responsibility for (i.e., I'm not sure about) the world to come. Your picture will be a jewel in my home. Further, as to the letter that Aunt Poria (Lewin) sent you asking for money for Aunt Breyndl (Birnbaum)...what can I write you about them when you yourself know the truth about them? I can express myself the same way against others who are not "menschen;" they have no understanding, no character, above all, no judgement. You know, Sol, that I don't talk to them and don't hear from them. I don't interest myself with them. Uncle Yankel (Lewin) and Uncle Yosel (Zilberspitz) come to Lodz every week for merchandise; they don't come to my home. Do you know why? Well, guess. Because I'm a....(poor relative) and they're wealthy, because I'm a person who will tell them what I think to their face...better than behind their back. I love the truth, and they always seem to be lacking just a bit to purchase a package of merchandise or another store, and so on, while someone else (in the family) is lacking just a bit toward the purchase of a loaf of bread. In a word, I can't stand them. If Aunt Breyndl needed something, she (Aunt Poria) should have written differently and not compromised my sister. Dear and devoted Sol, everyone here, from the largest to the smallest, except for me, considers that you there in America are a millionaire, a Rockefeller, a Ford. But I know that you work hard, and that you earn a living with sweat in order not to rely on the gifts of others. But, after all, what sort of proof is there to convince you as to who is rich and who is poor, who is a "mensch" and who is not, who lives comfortably and who is barely getting by. Take my advice, come here for a trip and see for yourself. I've almost finished this letter, and you'll wonder why I don't write anything about how we're doing here concerning health and making a living. I hesitate to write you the truth because I know very well that I don't have another such warm and close friend as you are. And what friend wants to cause his confidant pain? To the contrary, if I were to have cheerful letters to write to you, I would do so with pleasure. Unfortunately, the time for that hasn't arrived yet. In one of my earlier letters, in fact, I began to write about myself. But believe me, Sol, when it comes to writing, I just can't get it down on paper. You'll think there, "Aha, he's got another request; he wants something again. He's making deals again. Why doesn't he keep his word? Why didn't he remain an honest man and repay what I loaned him a year ago...the $150? No, I no longer consider you an honest man. I don't believe in you Poles any more. You only want to take, and not give back. For example, Aunt Poria's letter." And, perhaps reading these words, you will sigh and think, "G-d knows how my uncle is doing. Is he well? Is he earning enough to buy bread in such critical times, in such a crisis, that we read about concerning Poland in the newspapers? But, unfortunately, how can one help another person when that person can't help himself? Helping one's self is a person's duty. I would happily write my entire biography over the last year for you since I received the $150 from you, i.e., since my family and I began to live in our own apartment, until this very day. But since I'm dealing with a bright person who knows how to read and to understand my letters, and in order not to be exposed to your and your in-laws, if you demand it and promise me that noone but you will read the letter, I'll send it next time. I end my letter with heartfelt regards. Regards to you and your worthy wife, your in-laws, father, sisters, uncles, et al. My wife sends regards to all, and the children send heartfelt regards. Let me know whether you received the mushrooms and what you did with them and whether it's worth while to deal with them or not. My mother, sister and brother-in-law send heartfelt regards. From me, your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz, Lipowa 44, Lodz, Poland. All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.