I am sure that the only reason we have these letters is because Regina saved them. Regina saved everything (we have a wonderful list of the things she took with her to Palestine that I have previously posted), and my father saved almost nothing. So while it is clear that Lili was writing to my father before this letter, Regina arrived in New York in October, 1945, and our series of letters dates from then.
The letter is relatively short and an easy read, and I'm including it partly because I found it very moving. Lili writes about her marriage and their status and briefly about her family's experiences during the war.
26 October 1945
Dear Dago;
I hope you have received my last letter. Concerning Heinele, things have not yet progressed one step. The consul undertakes nothing and does not even register, so that this appears foreclosed for the near future, since so many await emigration. I believe the child’s case is a special one and on this ground it would perhaps be good if you perhaps attempt something directly with the Department in Washington or with some other place. I would be so pleased if the child were already with you, so that he would be settled and well raised. Concerning this I ask you to interest yourself unconditionally if you couldn’t undertake something there. I am sending you the enclosed picture. He is a splendid youth, very smart, has much desire to learn and is very capable, true and devoted.
My niece Anny, lives in WATFORD HERTS [Hertfordshire], 1 Smith Street, England / Anny Lefkovic / tries also to bring him to England. I ask you to make a connection with Anny, since I believe that he then could come to Dago more quickly from Anny. Perhaps in England one needs some financial guarantees that you so kindly are willing to give.
Here I can hardly offer the child anything, be it clothes, food, etc. It goes without saying that I do everything and spare no sacrifice, but the possibilities are not many, and I would like the child to have some good after so many difficult years. I stress once more, that these things and the whole of our past presses me about it, to ask you to do everything in the interest of the child. It goes without saying that as soon as we are with Gusta, we then will be jointly involved in the upbringing of the child, for I believe I love him even more than if he were my own.
About us I have not much to write. The same difficulties as with the child are also with us. We have no affidavit, but this is not decisive, I hope and accept that as soon as possibilities offer themselves Gusta and perhaps also you will be helpful toward the journey, but the child comes before us. Otherwise we are well. Gusta alerted me about a package from you, that however we have not received, on the other hand we got a little package via Pilsen from a soldier. Truly, we need everything, since we have nothing, money we do not need. Have you received the returned 100 dollars that you sent through the bank? I have not accepted it and had it returned, ask after it at the bank there. When you have the opportunity, please send suet, meat (smoked), condensed milk, cocoa, tea, canned meat, all only kosher, otherwise not.
Please write to me as soon as possible, I greet you and all the rest most fondly, also on behalf of my husband,
28 October 1945
Dearest Ryfka!
With extremely great joy I have read your first lines and it pleases me very much that you are now living with your family. Since the time we last saw each other, so much has come between us that I believe 100 years have passed. I hope that we will have the opportunity to speak to each other personally, since we have always understood each other well.
Meanwhile I have in the heat of the battle gotten married, that is even in the most difficult time, it was on 23 May 1943, in the midst of the heaviest deportations. But we have so spent together the most frightful hours of our lives, and with difficulty but yet with the help of the Highest we somehow survived. Of all my siblings only Gusti lives, in Seattle, and my oldest brother who a few weeks ago came home from Russia as a soldier, that is all. We were nine siblings, and all married.
I will soon close for now, but I hope that we will continue in correspondence as before. Enclosed is a picture of Heinele, he is a splended youth and seems to resemble Dago and Chaskel. He now only writes Czech and Slovak, which you could only understand with difficulty, but he is learning English and is quickly making good progress, he is also learning other things.
Unfortunately, I cannot feed him as well as I would very much from my heart wish to, and that makes me sad, although he has already gained 7 kg since he arrived from the concentration camp.
I am working at the American Joint [Committee], my husband in another bureau, but our wish is as soon and as quickly as possible to go to our sister Gusti and that nothing holds us back.
For today I am closing with many fond greetings, to which my husband joins.
Your loving
Leon[ie]
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