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5 / XII 1941
My precious! We received your letter yesterday and the 2000 greetings. They have just arrived. We borrowed some money the very same day. We haev asked Liviu for the 30.000 Lei and Mundrin’s silver Omega watch and my lighter – we gave him these things on the train and if you know of a trustworthy courier send them. If you have a good ladies watch send that as well i could sell it here for a reasonable price. If you can send the following: tea, 1 infuser, franck coffee, I still have a little real coffee, jam, loo paper 2–3 packets, a few pieces of laundry soap, 1–2 shaving soaps, good razor blades, 2 nightshirts, 1 nightdress for myself, a pair of flannel pyjamas for Mundrin, Tata has his, a flannel jacket for myself, 1 sleeping bag for myself, it has got to be warm, 1 pair of warm slippers for myself size 38, 1 good pullover or cardigan for Tata, 2 towels, 2 kitchen towels, a few candles, sanitary towels, a bit of semolina, 3 small pillow covers. These are the most urgent things we need. Now my dears let me tell you how we live. We have a small room-very warm-with one bed in it-Tata and sleep there-a few wooden boards nailed together on wobbly boxes, were Mudrin sleeps, 1 cabinet with mirror
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With only one drawer, but enough to keep our things in, 1 small metal stove that I cook on and we were able to buy for 170 rubels and a tiny table, there wouldn’t be space for anyting else. Luckily we have our two quilts, 3 small pillows and plaids, so we sleep well. Our meals are very sparse, morning tea and bread- we haven’t had any butter since we left home, lunch bean soup, or potato soup, ordeal soup, or goulash, sweet beans, millet, kasha grain or mamaliga and potatoes, in the evening more of the same. We get by, we don’t starve. Since Alex announced his impending greetings I bought milk or sour milk for Tata a few times […], and 1/2 kg pork fat. Send everything in saucepans covered with plates (or pans) you can’t buy them here. Luckily my landlady isn’t kosher so she can lend me a pan and plates. Hedy lent me cutlery. Hedy behaves in a way towards us you can not imagine. We are so lucky that we met her here. She supports me both in word and deed. Sidel, maybe you can send a little
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dress or jacket or blouse from Lieserl. Our landlady has a little 5 year old girl and I have nothing to give them. Lucin you must write to Bubi Schorr Bucharest str. Radu Voda 9 Ap. 10 that his mother is here with Julius and the two aunts they received 5000 Lei two times but that is nothing, the rise in prices is terrible. They rise every day. A loaf of bread is 25 rubels. He must send a larger amount. Is it true that he will be travelling to Palestine? How happy we are that you are at home you can not imagine. I left a few things with Mitzis husband, in case we can’t return go and get them from her. Why is there no news from Nuti and Liviu? She has 2 watches with chain my poudrilie, cigarette cases, comb, neussain 4 length of fabric-Siderl’s amongst them-gurprimee, 1 pair of new slippers, my fur and muff, the green wool, the entire needlework, my own and Mundrin’s clothes and underwear. He promised to send food and clothes by a soldier. Pipi’s husband wasn’t here. Tata drank Lysol 4 days after we left, we were able to save him, it was a miracle! He had a cold a temperature 40. Thank God
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he is well now if very thin. There are no loos here, we have to take care of it in the open air. There is stream close by where we go to, I borrow Hedy’s chamber pot for Tata and take care of it. Whether Gisa with Bibi and children still in Moghilav or already in Vindecana at the sugar factory we don’t know, long time since we heard anything. Either way her last news was desperate, they looked dreadful we heard. Congratulations again on your birthday, precious Siderl, we wrote to you a few days ago-many happy returns and all the best to you. Give my thanks to Mary for trying on our behalf. Yesterday in my despair I said that only news from you would keep me going and only an hour later Mundrin brought your letter. How I long to be away from here. We live like gypsies. We have not had a bath since we left home. We lick our face in the morning and call it washing. Yesterday evening at about 6.30 Tata went outside
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to empty a pot. 2 soldiers caught him and dragged him away that he fell. The landlady came in to tell me. I rushed outside with wet hair-for the first time since we left I had washed my hair-Tata is on the ground and I scream for help the soldiers chased me away but Hedy, Fritz, Jean, Mundrin, Julius and old Tarter appeared outside. They let Tata be and turned to Mundrin and wanted to take him with them. After a while they went on. What is with the Triere? Why is Pipi’s husband injured? Did Liviu stay in Suceave? Tell Mitzi to write what is going on at home. Mitzi owes Tata 6000 Lei, she must send them to you so you can send them on to us. In case Nuti leaves Suceave, ask Mitzi to take care of the clothes linen, carpets, crystal and dinner service, stocks. Will Eugen be able to do something. It would be so urgent to get out! I knew that Lucins
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would take care of it. You need a lot of energy for that. You must try everything, we can’t bear it much longer! Write to Bubi that he must try to get Julius and his mother out of here. I miss you so much and would be overjoyed if I could see you soon. Our entire luggage was lost and we have nothing except the things we wear and a few bits and pieces. Tata’s suit is pretty torn, it will keep for a few more months and until then I hope we will be home. I kiss you with all my heart Sidi
Dear Lucin.
I am here in Sargorod with my mother and both my aunts, no money, no clothes, no shoes and underwear; Bubi sent mother twice 5000 Lei, she had to spend 5000 of that on he journey Mohilev-Sargorod, so here we are to starve, if Bubi doesn’t send something very soon. I ask you to write to Bubi (Siegfried Schorr, Buc. Radau Voda 9, Apart 10) immediately, so he can help promptly and extensively. If possible ask him to send a pair of shoes and socks (they can be used). With love your Julius
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My dears, precious! You can’t imagine how overjoyed we were at receiving your letter. Only your love makes this all bearable. I earn nothing, we are 12–14 doctors with 4000 inhabitants, half of them beggars. I read in Hebrew all day, go for little walks and all my hope is with God. With all my love and kisses your Tata Benj