Letters from Lida - 30

October, 11, Lida

Dear Dorochka!

Thanks God, the Holidays are over. We did not have a letter from you this week, which surprises me very much. We just saw Boria off, but Lisa stayed <with us> for a week and maybe will be able to stay even more. Also we have another guest now – uncle Beniamin. (1) It got cold here, we all are shivering  <from cold> and this is despite heating the stoves every day. We still did not seal the windows for the winter because we didn’t have time before the Holidays. Taiba’s girl is developing very well and Ida’s Mirochka plays with other kids well, but Gitele is the most beautiful and smart. (2) She already knows everything and everybody. She did not forget you and when she sees that I write she knows exactly that I am writing you a letter and asks that I would invite you, and when a letter arrives she says that the letter is from you. Bera is not writing you yet, he is waiting when you answer him. How do you spend your Holidays, have you been in Raanana or in Tel Aviv? How is everybody’s health and especially of Manfred?  Be healthy and happy. My heartfelt regards to Manfred, Fania, and X

I am kissing you all, your mama Revekka

Dear Dorecka!

I wrote you and Fania a letter from Belostock as I felt then. My visit with Boria’s mama in May was very disturbing. Thank God, Musia <boy’s name> now feels very well. Boria and I came here for the Holidays. We left Musia in Grodno. Mama and Papa, thanks God, look better than before. Meilach has a job and he is different, does not disturb mama so much as before. Boria just left  and I am staying here  until next Sunday.

We are doing much better now. I brought from Belostock a fur coat but it has to be fixed. This year I am not going to do it, somehow will do without it. I have read all your letters. I am happy that you feel well and look pretty. If you can please send me your picture, I also would like to see a picture of X (3). How is Fania? My regards to Manfred. Gisel’s Shepa always asks about you. Be healthy and happy, regards from Boria. With loving kisses, Lisa. Write me,

Regards and best wishes from loving you Beniamin.

My dearests! And again this week we did not receive a letter from you. This surprises me very much. How do you feel, are you healthy? Why are you in such a bad mood lately? How did you spent the Holidays? It was not good <?> at home, I did not make any party this year. If God let us, and we will be in a good mood, I will make Gitel’s birthday party. What is about Gitel (crossed out) Fanechka. How is X, is she friendly with you now or do you still not get along? Gitel is developing well and is a very nice and lovely child, she did not stop talking about you. There is not much news in Lida. It is cold at home and we have to heat up the stoves every day. Meilach works from the sunset to sundown.

Fanechka, my dear, how did you spent your Holidays? What is good in your life? Why you stopped writing to us lately? How is Manfred’s health?  How do you deal with Arabs? How is X doing? Was Dorochka with you and how did she spend her time? Fanechka, how is her health?  How long you are going to stay in Tel Aviv? Write about everything. Kissing you all, loving Frida

Dorechka, write what is new about you, how do you feel, are you homesick? In the store the sales are very slow, the things in Poland are getting worse. They moved the market square almost entirely. It is hard for me to write – everybody is sitting and talking: Lisa, Keibla <?> , Papa, Mama, and uncle Beniamin. Meilach just came.

Kiss you with love, Frida

(1) Must be a Kaplan uncle.
(2) Taibe & Ida: Ida was a cousin of Dora & Fanya, with a young daughter, Mari. Taibe is very likely another cousin, perhaps on the Kaplan side
(3) Name of Fanya and Manfred’s child removed for privacy reasons 

This letter was clearly written recently after Dora made aliyyah, thus probably  late in 1936.