Lodz, 30 November 1937

My devoted brother, Sol Zissman, and niece, Esther Zissman,

I am writing this letter as a supplement to an earlier letter. 
I wrote you a long letter eight days ago in which I wrote you
everything clearly and in detail.  Now I want to make you aware
of the fact, Sol, that Joseph received a letter from H.I.A.S.
yesterday asking him to come to them for an important reason. 
Joseph and I went to the H.I.A.S., and they showed us that they
already have the affidavits here, and (they asked) whether
Joseph is willing to go to America.  He showed them the letter
from the consul and (told them) what he had already done in
order to be registered.  They gave him two new documents to
complete.  I also had to pay them 12.30 (gulden) for two new
certificates and for a character reference.  In addition, I had
to pay eight gulden for a document stating where he has lived
for the last three years.  All of this has to be sent to the
consul in Warsaw.  Then, the consul has written, we should not
come until he issues the necessary documents for a personal
interview.  There's nothing left for us to do except to wait for
the consul's order!!!

Now then, dear Sol, you wrote me in your last letter to
characterize my Joseph for you.  I did that in my previous
letter and wrote it to you, more or less.  Although I, as a
father, have no right to describe the characteristics of my own
child, nevertheless I would like you to search my soul a little
more deeply so that you can understand me.  First of all, I want
to make you aware of the fact that I am completely devoted to my
child, Joseph, and it will not be easy for us to part for an
indeterminate period.  Now that I have already decided to
present the "sacrifice," I am 100% certain that my child will
find a home for himself with you.  I know very well that, at
first, it will be difficult for him and that he will also be
very lonesome for his father, for his sister, but not for his
fatherland...  

Therefore, my dear and devoted Sol, don't let it bother you,
just as it didn't bother me when you requested that I describe
Joseph, not as a father but objectively.  On the contrary, I am
highly pleased that you don't make a quick judgment about
anything and are thoughtful and handle everything in a
businesslike manner.  

Therefore, I wasn't greatly surprised when I noted recently that
you had altered your strategic plan, although, Sol, inwardly I
am greatly bothered and pained at your having given up your plan
of making a trip to Poland.  Just imagine how hopeful I had
already become of living to 1938.  Now I see, Sol, that you have
changed your plan.  Instead of a trip to Poland, you want to see
to more substantial, more purposeful, more durable, matters. 
It's possible that you're right, Sol, that you're more logical,
more sensible, than your uncle because what logical and sensible
person wants to come to Poland...to see how their kinsmen are
suffering and being tormented?  I would say, as the Americans
say, "It doesn't pay these days to make a trip to Europe..."

Therefore, Sol, I approach you as an uncle and as a brother (and
ask) that you write what sort of plan you have made in case, let
us say, that Joseph receives a visa six months from now.  Even
though we can't anticipate everything, you have to keep in mind
that at the beginning you will have to help Joseph become
acclimated because he will find himself in a foreign country
among millions of people whose language he will not be able to
speak or write.  

On the other hand, I am more than certain that you will not be
disappointed in my Joseph.  It's true that he's still a young
boy and is not yet familiar with the world and all of its
gruesomeness.  But he doesn't have a bad mind.  He always thinks
about getting along in the future.  He wants to achieve
something.  He is not lazy.  He wants to work and works with all
his might.  I became aware of this recently when he wasn't fully
recovered but was concerned about losing his job; he got out of
bed two days earlier (than had been recommended) and went to
work.  So, what can I call this, being industrious or lazy?  

And when he hears your letters being read where you write of
your father's treatment of you children, he looks me straight in
the eye to see whether your words cause me to cry...  So, what
can I call this, being smart or foolish?  And when I see how
respectful my two children are of each other and how well they
get along with each other, how they accept their fate, can one
call this anything other than intelligence?  There's an old
saying that "Someone else's praise is better than your own."  If
we're dealing with expressing an opinion about my children in
general, I can tell you, Sol, without exaggeration, that I have
nothing to complain of concerning them, perhaps because I'm
their father...and know how to adjust to the circumstances, but,
be that as it may, people are envious of me with respect to my
children, may they only be well and happy.  

You should know, Sol, as to my Rivkele, that the situation is
becoming more serious.  She is already more than twenty years
old.  Possible matches are mentioned to her, but no one
desirable.  I'll have another chance to write to you about this.

It's also possible that I'll be in Opoczno in four weeks.  If
so, I'll write you a letter from there.  I'm not certain
(whether I'll be there).  Work is slack.  I only work two or
three days a week.  It will continue this way until after the
beginning of 1938.  Our situation here has not changed at all
for the better.  However, what need do I have to write (about
this) when The Forward already does it for me...?  I receive the
newspapers on a regular basis, and I thank you for them.  The
Mr. Chmielnicki who went bankrupt in Opoczno is not related to
Aunt Esther Chmielnicki.

Well, nothing more of importance to relate.  Heartfelt regards
for you and your dear Esther and your dear son, Leonard.  If I
had him here close to me, I would give him money for Chanukah
and, at the same time, ask him about the meaning of Chanukah. 
However, since he's far away from me, I leave it to you, Sol.  

Now then, how are all of you there as far as health is
concerned?  Why hasn't Ruth answered my letter?  How did the
recent season turn out?  Did you at least sell all the stoves? 
What's new with Ruchel, Bryndl, et al?  My children, Rivkele and
Joseph, and I send our heartfelt and loving regards to all of
you.  In addition, the whole family sends regards to you. 
Separate regards from Aunt Estherl and Uncle Lazer from Opoczno.
 With respect, your uncle and brother who is awaiting a prompt
answer, 

		Wolf Lewkowicz

My address is:   Wolf Lewkowicz

                            Lipowa 44

                            Lodz, Poland


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