Letters from Lida

Dorechka, my dear!

It is true that I didn’t write you often lately. Last week, on Sunday, I took Gitele and went to Minajto (1) where I rented a room for Papa. Mama went with him and will stay there for couple of weeks and then I will probably will be there for couple of weeks. I was barely able to convince Mama <to go>. Last week I had some trouble: suddenly they came from <Polish, probably police> and saw the maid at our house. Fortunately, the maid said that she only comes in the morning and leaves at night <apparently, Frida was not allowed to have a maid, especially live-in maid>. How it will end, I don’t know yet, but I told her to go to the village tomorrow, and get a note there that she works as a helper<?>. I did not want to report her right away, and wanted to wait for a week, therefore I could not keep her in Lida and sent her with Gitele to the dacha to stay with Mama. Tomorrow I will go to pick her up. It is very lonely at home without her, and I am lost without her. I do everything at home in the morning and then go to the store for the whole day. Although sales are poor, it is too much for just one person. Dorochka, how do you feel? Do you get any rest? What are you doing? Probably you are helping Fanechka. I know, Dorechka, it is not interesting at all to stay with your sister. You know, everything will come in its time. If it would be all quiet in Palestine, I am sure it would be much more interesting for you, but what can we do? Maybe God let it all calm down. Today is Saturday night, and because I am planning to leave tomorrow, I will leave this already written letter. I am very happy that you made friends with X (2). Gitele still remembers you, she is a very nice and good girl. Dorochka, I did not write you all this time that Meilach was trying to get a job, but was offered very little salary, so I did not let him to take it. Soon he got as much as he asked for, that is 15 <groshy? – 1/100 of zloty>, at Shimshin, so since Tuesday he will start working <over there>. Sure, I will work at the store, and if needed, we will hire somebody for 20-30 gr. <?> a month, or maybe will get by without hiring, maybe I will hire a good maid at home. I don’t know how Papa will be at the dacha by himself, Mama will have to come home. I will discuss it with Mama and maybe I will leave Gitele with the maid and Papa. Why is Fanechka so busy lately that she stopped writing at all?

Fanechka, my dear! What is going on with you? Why are these troubles with the court case that it is postponed all the time? Probably your enemy is doing this on purpose, but a good lawyer probably should foresee that. When will God let everything calm down over there? Thank God, Papa feels better, he got better at the dacha. Fanchka, write me how Dorechka feels and what is she doing all day. Does she have time to learn Hebrew and how is she advancing? Kiss you all with love, loving Frida.

Gitele sent her heartfelt regards.

(1) Minoyty, about 90 miles west of Minsk, 6.4 miles sse of Lida. It’s still a village, and most of the search engine hits are for satellite photos of the area.
(2) Name removed for privacy reasons

Letters from Lida - 60