Again, we have Chuck to thank for the translations.
From Lily:
24 December 1945
My very dear Ryfka!
Many heartfelt thanks for your dear detailed writing of 2 December, for the enclosed little picture, stamps, etc., which we have received in order. I have sent it all on to Heinele, who is still in Prague and who cannot separate himself from his uncle and the beautiful city of Prague. My brother (he is 60 years old) is alone there, since his children were removed, he cooks only for the child, Russian food as he learned it in Siberia, he goes walking with the child and feels wonderful.
I have, however, already sent for the child, and he should be with me again in a few days. Meanwhile, I have put together an entire wardrobe for him, a fine overcoat, two pairs of socks, a wool vest and shirts, all very good quality, he will certainly be very happy with the things. I ask you and your dear brothers to send us no more small packets of clothing, we have also gotten various things for us, so that we are no longer in need. Also, no package arrives and many get lost, so that it truly is a shame for every last cent. We need food [Lebensmittel] but we also ask you not to send, first until I authorize something, in the end it simply makes no sense in the world to send, it is a shame for the great efforts and the money. I have written the same to Gusta and begged her for now not to send.
I hope that you, dear Ryfka, have received my last letter and also the letter from my husband. Now your pretty little picture has come, so that my husband can have an image of how you really appear. You write as sweetly and fondly as our Gusta, and when we read your letters it is as if they were written by a sister.
I have thought of you the whole long year, but I didn’t know where I should look for you, but I cannot forget one thing, as Mori [Morris Funk] our brother-in-law (Gusta’s husband) was in need, that is, in Dachau, you helped immediately in Palestine, even if it was to no avail. Can you remember? It was long ago, but I will never forget it, just as I will not forget the entire time I spent with you. Now I also know how you have arranged your life in America and certainly the work you are engaged in brings you joy.
I am busy all day, and today on December 24, which we have somewhat free, I have for the first time in my marriage cooked lunch for us, it was much better than in the soup kitchen [Volksküche], and I will so arrange things when Heinele comes home that that we will not be embarrassed by it.
My husband is frightfully decent [anständig] and helps me even there. The clothes for Heinele, for us, he takes care of everything, he is loved very much, and people bring him this, and he is happy if he comes home in the evening with some object, and almost every day he brings something. Heinele is also very capable, and if he heard that something is received he was immediately there. I can hardly leave the bureau for a minute, it is very difficult, since I sit by the card index [Kartothek] where the assistances are paid out and if I am not there it stops. Now we are fewer in the bureau, the repatriated unfortunately no longer come, so that 70% of the employees were discharged. We have two rooms, very neatly arranged, a second colleague has the other part of the dwelling.
I have written to Heinele in Prague, that he should interest himself [follow up] with the USA consulate whether he is already registered, since we hear that a new quota was fixed. Meanwhile, I await my niece Anny and her husband from England and will together with them try whatever happens to send the child to England, from there it is certainly quicker to go.
For this time I close my writing with many fond greetings and kisses
Leonie
Dear Rifka!
I will add only a few words. Many heartfelt thans for your dear letters, which we always enjoy. All good things and fond greetings.
And from Isidor:
Dearest Regina!
I gladly take the opportunity to write to you.
First of all, I inform you that Heinele’s health is good. I am with him almost daily. I bring him mystery novels, which he likes very much, and I have enough of a selection. I have predominantly Jewish and secular books by all Jews of Slovakia. In the year 1942, the books from all deported Jews (74,000) were collected in Bratislava in town halls [Rathauser]. Today they have been, through me, divided among the surviving Jews. I am secretary of the central association [Zentralverband] of all Jewish communities in Slovakia, not from [only] today but already for 13 years. My brother, who unfortunately is dead (he died from blows [durch Schläge]) was head [Präses] of the country and, I say without boasting, he belonged among the first citizens of Jewry. This only in all brevity, although I could write much about it. My other brothers, who were also killed, were doctors and school professors. My sisters, all teachers, are one and all also dead, unfortunately. But enough of that.
You ask how dear Lily’s cooking tastes? Unfortunately, it is only of short duration. First, for days there is no gas, and besides we had so many concerns about Heinele that we renounced cooking, since Lily was with the child every free minute. I and Heinele get on very well and are often two against one, that is, against Aunt Lily, if she is too given to exaggeration [or overbearing, übertrieben], but she always means only well.
We have a very pleasant dwelling, and Heinele has a room for himself. It is for the moment very cold and there is little fuel, but one day even these times will be passed. At the next opportunity, we will send you pictures also, of Heinele. – We are truly moved by your dear lines and think of you in love and friendship.
With very fond geetings to you and all you dear ones, I remain
Isidor
Bratislava, 27 January 1946
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