Letters from Lida - 105, 114, 123, 129, 131, 133, 139, 142

A flurry of letters was sent in mid-1930, around a trip Fanya and Manfred made back to Europe about the time of their wedding. Since these are all dated, I include them all here in chronological order.

Letter 131

Berlin April 4, 1930

 My dear Children,

 We hope that by the time this letter arrives in Lida, you will have arrived there safely. It must have been quite cold en route.

 After your return home we found a telegram from your dear parents and family in Lida, as well as very nice written congratulations from the James Goldschmidt family and a telegram from Lasdun [?]. This morning there was a telegram from Mr. Meilach Pupko.

Write us, even if only a few lines, but quite often, how you traveled and how you found your dear family, and how you’re feeling in general. For you, dear Fanya, it will be a special experience, to be back under your parents’ roof after such a long time.

 I greet you and your dear family cordially

 Papa

 

My dear Children,

 In my thoughts I joined you on your trip and was very sorry that I hadn’t given you more warm things, particularly you, dear Fanya, to take along.  Today it’s ice cold here; hopefully you’ll have a good journey and find all your relatives in Lida well. When I came home yesterday, I found a marvelous bouquet of carnations from the James Goldschmidt family for you, don’t forget to write them. I wish you all the best and send you and all your dear ones cordial greetings

Your Mother

 We hold it proper to announce your marriage in the Rundschau now. Write us right away if you agree.

Letter 133

Letter 139

Letter 123

April 10, 1930

 Dear Fanya, Dear Manfred,

 I wanted to have written you a long time ago, but until now I always had something else I had to do. You are very sparing in writing letters but you probably have many obligations. Ellen is healthy and happy. She often asks about you, and wonders that you’re suddenly gone. Nothing interesting has happened since Chanukah. Yesterday by chance I ran into Salome, who made deep observations about mankind, at the KdW [big department store in Berlin]. Monday I played tennis 2-1/2 hours, Ernst is also a “great whale”. Sunday and Monday I’ll be at Till Wardenberg with Ellen and “Miss”. How is Fanya? It must surely have been a great joy to see her parents and siblings again. Please write me a long letter soon. I wish you, Fanya, parents and siblings a very nice [illegible] and send you all many greetings and kisses

 Your Miriam

Letter 105

 April 18, 1930

 Dear Fanya, Dear Manfred,

 Best thanks for your various writings. I’d have loved to hear more and more detail, but I am satisfied as it is. Everything’s gone well with us. When the two Seder evenings are over, it always seems to me as if I’d been victorious in battle. Everything went well. On the 2^nd evening, we had 14 people here. Hindelchen said half of “Mah nisch tanoh” and later “thank you”. That was very nice. Afterwards Ichen come with the child and they’re staying here ‘til Monday. Mrs. Frida phoned Wednesday, she wants to invite you over. Mr.s Dr. Wreschner would like to talk to you, when you come back. Mrs. Freimann worked a pretty Milieu for you. [I don’t know that what means either]. We were at Goldschmidts, Levetzowstr., the day before yesterday. Frs. G. was sorry that you did not visit her sister, Mrs. Bachrach in Warsaw. Uncle Max and Aunt Martha are here; I can’t keep writing & converse. Many greetings to you, your dear family and many kisses

 Your Mother

 

Dear Manfred and Fanya,

 I’m taking the opportunity to add a few lines, and hope that your visit went smoothly and that you had lovely days with your loved ones. Be cordially greeted from your Aunt Martha

 Many greetings and gut [Hebrew]

Miriam

Letter 129

Berlin April 22, 1930

 Dear Children,

Received your little letter. It would be advisable for you to be in Berlin between May 6 and May 10 –

Cordial greetings to your dear family

 Papa

 Next Shabbat Uncle Isaac - Hamburg celebrates the 25^th anniversary of his employment, as well as his 50^th birthday, and Ida her engagement

 Greet everyone

Letter 114

 April 22, 1930

 Dear Fanya and Dear Manfred,

Your telegram was telephoned us this morning. Dear Papa had already written you that you should be here between May 6 and the 10^th. Now you have some flexibility and can use the time as you like. I’d have liked so much to learn something of your life over there, but you are probably very busy! Also, Papa has taken care of the thing to Petach Tikvah. Ichen was here until this afternoon with the child. The child asked a great deal about you, she can’t understand “why” you went away. She’s very cute when she says, “She’s Mutti’s and Oma’s friend”.

 Mrs. Dr. Grossmann is apparently doing better, she’ll be coming home next week after a month. Just think, in the same room there was for a few days a nurse from Jerusalem, she had burned herself from a lamp that exploded.

 At the moment, I am, as Ichen calls it, a bit fought out. But I’ll be able to rest up in the next few days. We are not going to Hamburg (Ichen will represent us) But you can congratulate Ida.

 Next Tuesday there’s a great event in the Eden Hotel, by the Palestine Women’s Working Union. Dr. Armin Wegner and Mrs. Nanny Margulies will speak about Palestine. What would Fanya say at such an event? I hope, that an envelope with your writing on it will come and send you all best wishes and kisses, your Mother

 My dear Children, I already wrote you today, that we think it right for you to be in Berlin May 6-10. But we can change these dates.

 The money from L [or B] I sent to Jerusalem through the local branch of the American Express Co., who will send it on. It should be in P-T on April 30.

 Greetings and kisses Papa

 PS by their mother:

Aunt Rosi wants to get you a present, please tell us what you’d like.

Translator’s Note: Armin Wegner has a Wikipedia entry.