Letters from Lida

Translated by Lena Gorina-Black

July 12

Dear Dorechka!

This Wednesday, when we usually receive your letters, we did not get any. What happened, what does it mean? I am very surprised about it and also it starts to worry me because according to the newspaper, it is not quiet <in Palestine> yet. It is 4 pm here, I am writing you a letter, there is nobody at home, Papa is having a little nap after dinner <dinner was a midday meal>, and I don’t have time for anything. This is what happened: Meilach got an idea to go to Ravio <?> to see Portnoy on Saturday. He wanted to go last Friday, but the weather was changing and we were afraid of the storm and they did not go, although

< skipped file 25b which contains 2 pages from the letter 23 (file 23b)>

were getting ready, even sent for a horse carriage to meet them from the automobile. On Thursday, Portnoy came again and asked him to visit him one more time, and they decided to go, that is, told him that they will come on Friday and even ordered a horse carriage. And imagine, on Thursday night Lisa came to visit us. For few days Papa was suffering from his nerve problem, and she learned about it and came to see him. He is, thank God, feeling better now. Frida did not want to go but felt bad because they <Portnoy’s family> were preparing to their visit already two times. Lisa would go with them too but they did not advise…

now it is absolutely quiet with exception that Elinka is screaming on the street, the one who often comes to complain about others’ children teasing or abusing him, sometimes Breskin’s children, sometimes other kids from the neighborhood. By the way, Gnechicha <the wife of Gnechin> went to Novoselna with the children. In other words, everybody is away. In relation to Meinale’s trip to Palestine it is hard to say anything, it is not quiet here but over there <in Palestine> it’s even worse. In addition, leaving the bread <meaning the job in Lida> here and go to search for it somewhere else does not make sense. He is also very stubborn, got in his head that he could not live with us, and why, tell me, are we in his way? Frida runs the house the way she wants, and in the store he does not take us into consideration too much. But at the same time I feel that he is unhappy <with us>. God be with them, and may God give them all the best. It looks like I will send this letter by myself because I can’t wait for them to come back to be in the post office in time, therefore I am asking you, Dorechka, not to say a word about it, you know him…

How is your life, how are you doing, why we did not get a letter from you this week? As for the court case, that is delayed all the time, it is hard to understand why it is going this way and is dragging on for so long. I imagine how much health and money it costs you. Rentees at our place…

… at least we are content with our maid. Yesterday Lisa and I visited Uidel. Everybody left for dacha and Uidel and she<?> stayed. Also uncle Shimshel and Nosel are eating with them and Rovensky also eats there sometimes. This is all about our news.

In the store there were some sales but now everything is quiet, I guess because in some places people went to the harvest and tomorrow the harvest will start everywhere. In the market there is almost everything already <meaning it is a full season for fruits and vegetables>. The market place is full of berries, winter supplies are almost over, potatoes, cucumbers, cherry, cauliflower, and cabbage for the winter (white), also tomatoes, but tomatoes

are yet expensive. There are apples but not too ripe <sort of apples, unclear> May God give you only health and peace. Be healthy, with loving kisses your mama Revekka.

Dear children!

Because you will learn everything from my letter to Dora, I only have to tell you that I am very sorry that you have so much trouble with the court case. May God let everything get resolved for the best. I wish you all the very best,

Kissing you many times,

Loving you mama Revekka.

Letters from Lida - 25