Lodz, 14 December 1937 My dear brother, as well as nephew, Sol Zissman, Two letters are on their way to you and, yet, I am writing a third letter to you today. First of all, I have time; I'm not working. Second, I received a long letter from you five days ago; I have a free day today, and I want to send an answer to what you wrote. Dear Sol, reading through what you wrote about your having tested your brother-in-law, Marshall, I was deeply impressed. My children and I really wept for joy, for happiness, at our having such a true friend in you, Sol, who are prepared to offer yourself on our behalf. However, why should I start complimenting you now? Did we just meet each other? We know each other very well, Sol. Would that we were situated closer together. We are too far from one another. However, our hearts are close, and we feel each other's pain. Tens of people read about your shrewd experiment with your brother-in-law, including our cousin, Esther Goldberg, and Aunt Poria Lewin. Recently, they have really been envious of us when they see all that you're doing for Joseph, how you offer yourself on our behalf. Many times, when I am all alone at home, when Joseph is at work and Rivkele is out on the street, I think about many things. I am anxious (at such a time) to read your recent warmhearted letters to us. I search among the old photographs and pore over them; I see how you stand with your father and mother, may she rest in peace, when you were a two-year old child; I see you with your parents as a twelve-year old boy after your arrival in America, with that straw hat; I see you with your three sisters when you were a groom. And it's hard for me to believe that the same Shoymele has taken a stand and has determined to help his poor uncle with all his strength, and to help not only with a good word or with a bluff; no, we see actual deeds. You have convinced us all, Sol, that we see no one other than you who takes an interest in our fate. It's true that, when you were a child, I assisted you with certain things, but how much compassion you have already demonstrated and continue to demonstrate toward your uncle. Whomever I talk to about you and whoever reads your letters is simply astonished by the love which you have for us. My own sister, Aunt Esther of Opoczno, is even angry with me because the entire correspondence is directed to me, not to her. Next week, on the 24th, my Joseph and I will be going to Opoczno. Naturally, I'll take your recent letters along, as well as the picture of Ruth and her husband. I am more than certain that she will be envious of me because we have such a close relationship to each other, and she is so distant. However, who is more at fault for this than she herself? If she doesn't write to you, you don't write to her. I will write you a letter from Opoczno and will let you know all about them because I haven't seen them for a year! I am enclosing a letter to Ruth and Marshall in response to his letter to me. It's the first letter from Marshall to me. I also received a picture of them. He seems to be a fine young man. He has an intelligent appearance, still very young, but he has an intelligent look about him. The picture gave us pleasure, and whoever sees it is amazed by the young couple. On Saturday, we had a doctor here at home for Joseph. By chance, he happened to see the picture and was very interested to know who the people in the picture are. I had to give him all the details, and he told me to write in his name that Ruth should sign on as a cinema performer because she looks like an actress. I am doing as the doctor wishes, and write to you that we'll see later on whether or not she will pay any attention to the doctor's advice. In any event, Sol, be proud of your sisters in general and of your sister Ruth in particular! As far as Joseph is concerned, I write you that he had a cold and was in bed for several days. Today he is all right; he is going to work already. No information has been sent back yet by the consulate. The H.I.A.S. is preparing all the necessary paperwork for Joseph. I have made all the payments. Now we have to continue to wait until everything is completed. Meanwhile, everyone is excited. Half of Lodz knows that Joseph is leaving for America. Beyond that, they're already talking about it in Opoczno and in Kinsk. My view is that many weeks and months will pass before Joseph leaves. As far as the actors, Lucy and Misha German are concerned, I write you that they performed in Lodz for some time. They were very successful in the play called "Ruchel's Children." I didn't see them myself, but my children and others say that her performance was a big success in Lodz. It's not every actor who can measure up to them. They are really very talented. Lodz misses them. Well, heartfelt regards for you, your worthy wife, Esther, and dear son, Leonard, as well as your dear sisters, family, et al. With respect, Your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz Dear Cousin Sol Zissman, I just came home from work and found that my dear father was about to seal the letter, so I decided merely to add heartfelt regards for you and for your wife and son, and special heartfelt regards for Marshall and Ruth. From your cousin in Poland, Yosef Lewkowicz Heartfelt regards for Cousin Sol and other cousins and family. From your cousin, Rivkele Lewkowicz. All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.