Opoczno, 28 December 1937 My devoted brother, as well as nephew, and niece, Sol Zissman, I am writing my letter today from Opoczno. My Joseph and I have been relaxing here since Friday, the 24th. We'll remain here until Sunday, January 2. First of all, I can let you know that Aunt, Uncle and their children are all well, thank G-d. They have entered into an engagement contract for their son, Yosef. The oldest son, Wolfche, is in Palestine and writes that he is making a poor and drudging living. The second son, Moshe, is in the army; he has already served for eight months. He happens to be in Opoczno now on leave. The third son, Yosef, is a baker; he works for his father. He will be the groom. We are sending you a picture of him and his fiancee. The engagement contract was signed two days ago. We enjoyed ourselves very much, had a good time until 2:00 in the morning. His fiancee is a very fine lady, has a trade, has had an intermediate education, and is not from a poor family. In a word, she possesses many fine qualities. Everyone here has read your recent letters, as well as Ruth's and Marshall's, and all of them are enraptured by your letters to me, particularly by your devotion to me. I also took along the picture of Ruth and her husband that they sent me recently. Aunt Estherl wept on seeing the picture. She thought that she was looking at our late sister, and your late mother, may she rest in peace. During the last few days, we have spoken about you and your sisters a great deal. I asked them (here) why they write so little to you and am convinced that they are really overworked. All of them work very hard to make a living, but everything is plain and primitive. Everyone works, Uncle, Aunt, and the children. The reason for Uncle Lazer's not writing is that he works at night and sleeps during the day. I am sure that he doesn't write to his brothers in Argentina or New York either. They also don't write to me in Lodz. In the event that Uncle has a free day, he's occupied with paying a variety of taxes, occupied with social organizational work, etc. Aunt Estherl is anxious to write to you because her love for her sister's children has not been quenched. However, quite simply, she doesn't write because she is not a "writer." In plain words, she can't write and has no opportunity to write. Then again, the children all write in Polish, and Polish would be difficult for you to read. So they don't write. In addition, the times are conducive to all this. The boycott, the anti-semitism, the picketing, make their lives difficult so that one forgets where he is in the world. All of this taken together makes a good argument to convince you that their not writing to you is not due to their being mean, but due to torment and overwork. I hope, Sol, that you will accept their current communication as an explanation and will forgive them for their long silence toward you. It's to be hoped that, from now on, your correspondence will take place on a regular basis. Aunt and Uncle promised me that, from now on, they will send you an answer to every letter without delay. So, Sol, conduct an experiment and write. They are, after all, an uncle and an aunt. Write to them and make yourself unforgettable to them because you children are our only consolation for our blessed sister, may she rest in peace. Further, I can give you regards from Moshe Zilberspitz, whom you surely remember, the son of Aunt Chaya Rifke. Aunt Chaya Rifke has not been living for three years. Moshe lives here in Opoczno in the same building that Uncle Lazer is in. His children work at gloves. They make a modest provincial living. He has already arranged for the engagement of his daughter and is already planning her wedding. Further, I write you that Joseph was in Kinsk yesterday. He went especially to have the official personally certify his two birth certificates because that's what is required by the H.I.A.S., as well as by the consulate in Warsaw. He returned to Opoczno today. He took care of everything. He already has all the documents that the consulate requires of him almost completed at the H.I.A.S. The only thing remaining now is to wait until the consul calls Joseph in (to consider granting him) a personal visa. Believe me, Sol, that, in writing this tale, I don't know whether I should cry or whether I should laugh because whoever learns that Joseph has a chance to get out of Poland...is simply envious of him. Whether they are familiar with the American labor situation or not, they all encourage Joseph to escape from here as one would from Hell...while there's a chance. As far as I am concerned, I can tell you, Sol, that I am almost beside myself. I don't know anything that's going on about me. My heart beats ever more strongly and nervously. I look at life with open, terrified eyes. When I look at my Joseph, my only devoted and dear son, the only consolation in my life, when I consider that, some day, I will have to accompany him out of my home, then I am fearful that my heart may burst...although our only consolation is that Joseph will journey to you, to a devoted and dear cousin. The consolation is also that Joseph will be able to provide assistance for us. The hope is to try to save a few years of our life, and we also hope that Joseph will be able to do something for his sister, Rivkele, who will remain here with me, a lonely, a forsaken, orphan. And, Sol, before all this becomes an actuality, before I live to experience a bit of compassion, I am fearful lest my soul depart... Well, nothing more of significance to relate. Heartfelt regards for you and your dear Esther and dear son, Leonard. Regards to Ruchel, Bryndl, and Ruth and her husband, as well as the whole family. Two letters are en route to you, and this is the third letter. Please answer promptly about everyone and everything. From me, Your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz Joseph sends heartfelt regards to all. Precious nephew, Shloymele, You will wonder, "Why, on an ordinary, early morning, a letter from Opoczno?" So, I write you that, when you read this letter, you will become aware of everything. Since you know very well that your Aunt Esther is not an especially good writer, I ask you to forgive me for my silence. I write you that, may it be with good fortune, I signed an engagement contract for my son, Yoske, and I wish that you, with the help of G-d, will do the same for your son, together with your dear Esther. May we not suffer anyone else's absence. Believe me, Shloymele, when my brother showed me the photograph of Ruth, it was as if my heart became frozen. I thought that I was looking at my blessed sister, her whole appearance. I wept a great deal when I heard and read your letters to my brother and of your clever test of Ruth. All those close to us read through your letters. Each of them was amazed at your clever letters. Now, I write you that my husband's Aunt Zlota has arrived from New York and that Lazer went to see her. He had thought that she would bring me regards from you, but she said that she had heard of you, but that she had not seen you. Now, dear nephew, I want you to write me about everything that is going on with you and with your dear Esther, and your dear son, and Bryndl and her family, Ruchele, and Ruth. I will answer you promptly, as best I can. Although my letters are not important ones, they are earnest, profound, (written with) my whole heart. Best wishes for your health and kisses from the bottom of my heart. Heartfelt regards for your dear Esther; heartfelt regards for my dear sister's daughters. Please answer promptly, and I won't make you wait. (Aunt Esther) All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.