These
three pages of letters from various family members were mostly typed.
The sheets of paper seem to be the same kind of paper, and the same
typewriter seems to have been used for them all.
All my dear Ones,
Not, that I’ve become calmer, on the contrary, the Holy
Days, the Seder, were more apt to increase the pain over our dear departed
ones, even if I’m not one of the devout ones in the country. But in regard to your mother, who has
suffered the greatest pain a man and a woman can suffer, in regard to your
bother, who accomplished so superhumanly much, I am steadfast and brave. And I
know, you are all strong, how it looks inside is no one else’s business.
Regarding your spiritual strength, I want to tell you a little, for you far too
little, about your dear Father. You will say, why bother, it won’t bring him
back. After a thorough examination, the doctors, we’d brought Professor Israel
in for consultation, concluded that there was a solid tumor in his kidney,
which disturbed one of them. Prof. Israel’s
opinion was that the kidney in question should be removed, so that the healthy
one could take over the function of both, which would, in his opinion, save
Father’s life, otherwise he’d have succumbed to a painful illness. I don’t want
to give any opinion of the physician in charge of the case; that everyone
wished greatly to see him sound and healthy as before, you can all imagine.
That a hard fate decreed otherwise, is, my dear children, painful and sorrowful
for us all. The best man among us left us, in the way he with his endless love,
goodness, and enlightened wisdom bore all fate, so you must all do, on the one
hand in memory of the departed, on the other hand with regard for your dear
Mother, who needs your bravery and strength, to have purchase in her great
sorrow, out of regard for Max, who, in the past period of mourning has
accomplished incredibly much; he was with him to his last moment, was gebensht
by him, thus receiving the blessing on behalf of all of you. You cannot expect
me to speak some words of consolation to you, my own sorrow is so great, that I
had to give up my older brother. I pray you, be strong and help your mother, regardless
of how far you are from her, by bearing your sad fate with strength and
courage. Your letter, in which you announced, dear Spiers, the birth of your
child, and of your finding employment, came on the day of his death, so that
your father did not see it with his corporeal eyes. But as you right correctly,
Vila, your father’s blessing helped
you and will continue to help you, all of you, and your mother, when she joins
her children in Palestine.
We are constantly with your mother. Max slept the first
nights, now Hedel sleeps in her room, so that Mother is never alone; I also
sleep there, in your former childhood bedroom, with all its lovely memories.
Dear children, please write soon. Be strong and courageous, we all want to help
you, as your father’s and mother’s many friends here have done.
Be well, all of you,
Your Elke
This note was added all in handwriting
Dear Joseph,
Far be it from me to write you a consoling letter, because
that’s impossible. You also read so piously about your father [illegible] and
will, with this devotion, bear your sorrows more lightly. – May G-d keep you
healthy and courageous; your dear wife and the child will stand by your side
through this pain even more lovingly than ever before.
[illegible] your Hedel
There is an illegible sentence written down the left margin
in purple pencil.
My dear Ones,
We all hope you are all healthy. You can well imagine how
difficult it is for me to write you this time. Because I know what has struck
you and all of us here. Every day it seems more incredible to me that we’ve parted
forever from our dear uncle, and it all came too suddenly. Because dear uncle
had recovered from the operation excellently in the hospital, and looked as if
he’d just come back from summer vacation. But in spite of the heavy blow, you
must remain strong and must not let your heads sink down, because that won’t
help you do any better and you also have, thank G-d, your family, for which you
must care. However, I can imagine that no possible words of consolation do any
good, but one still wants to try to mitigate your pain. My dear Father and
Isaak Goldschmidt were here, too. I implore you again: remain healthy and
strong.
Receive now cordial greetings and kisses from you thinking
of you cousin Ilsy
All my dear Ones,
What it costs me to write you these few lines, you will well
understand. None of us can come to grips with the horrible event, it was too
unexpected. I can understand your pain, and as much as I’d like to console you,
I know that every consolation is superfluous. In spite of this blow of fate,
you cannot let your courage fail, and the head must be held high. Because only
by remaining strong can you support your dear mother to bear her pain more
lightly. Remain well and receive many cordial greetings and kisses from your
loving Bertel.
The lines below also all in handwriting
My dear Ones, am sending you once more cordial greetings and
kisses and wish you continued good fortune! Your true Betty
Letters from Lida - 136