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My best friends, Eliezer, Zeldi and
children,
We were delighted to receive your letter and
photo of the children, and to know that you and the children are
well. Not to give them an evil eye, they look like children of
nobility. May you have lots of joy from them.
We are continuously talking about you, and
about God's grace bestowed upon you by enabling you to escape from
here just in time. Business people more substantial than you were
before leaving are today economically worse off. We keep asking
ourselves, how would you and your children have fared here now?
You should be more than happy and appreciate your good fortune.
As to your remark that we are drifting
apart, you are wrong. We remain the same good friends of yours as
before. It is the change of circumstances that causes us to be
occupied otherwise, so much so that one forgets even about
oneself. It is impossible to write about the new circumstances.
You surely read the papers and are aware of the tensions in
Europe. God only knows how it will all end. Emigration, which we
desire with all our beings, is not up to us. We are subject to a
quota that will keep us waiting for a few years yet. Up till now
we have only received a number from the consulate and it will be
years before we can travel. In the meantime, we must continue to
stay in Povelkes [the name of the street where they lived - a
street just outside town].
How are you all? There's nothing new with
us. Some times we have work and the rest of the time we are
jobless and thus the years pass by. Gutka Farber gave birth last
week to a daughter in Bialystok. I offer you a Mazal Tov
[congratulations] on the occasion.
Remain well.
Your friend,
Israel
Dear friends, Zeldi, Eliezer and children,
Thank you for your letter and photo. We keep
looking at the children and feel like pinching their cheeks as we
used to, but we must be satisfied with the intent only. Our
infrequent writing is a result of the changed circumstances. We
rarely leave the house - the streets are empty. The only place
where we spend any time is Bertha's. Tevche feels well and
recently started selling shoes. Moscicky [the name of the Polish
president] has settled the outstanding account with him [probably
overdue taxes].
Hannah and Isaac [her children] are doing
well at school. Isaac has gone to Bialystok for a few weeks. He is
a very good-looking lad. I'm glad that you are happy with your
lot. You can't imagine what people are going through here. You are
lucky to be where you are.
Please write often. Bertha, Basha, Liba and
their families send their regards.
Your devoted friend,
Roshke
P.S. The lawyer Olszewski passed away today.
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