Pass on the enclosed letter. – David asked me to. –
14/12/1941
Dear all,
We’ve already written to you 4 times since finding out that you’re at home, and we’re very surprised not to have received anything from you. – Did you get our letters? We’ve been here in Mogilow for 2 months. – I’m building bridges and every day I get 1 kg of bread for 3 rubles. – That isn’t even enough bread for the children. – We’re all going hungry and as a result, we’re all really run-down, exhausted, and we fear we won’t survive the next few weeks. – We hardly had any money before, but the money we did have is long gone. – We’ve nearly sold everything we have. – The most expensive things went astray on the crossing. – I’m left with a suit. – Zipora wears the children’s stockings. Why should I write to you in so much detail? I mustn’t write such long letters. I’ll be brief: we’re enduring tremendous suffering, and if help doesn’t come soon, we’re done for. – Even with a lot of money, you can’t buy food here, you can only trade. – Soap, thread, yeast, potash, etc. – If you have the opportunity, can you send us 10 kg of potash (baking soda), to keep our heads above water. You just invest 200–300 lei and if we get this potash, we’ll easily be able to trade it for food. – So it would be really good, if you could send us potash. How are you? How are your children? Can you earn any money? Is there a link between my family and yours? Is everyone still alive? Where are Simon and Chaja? The Fuchs brothers are very interested and would very much like to take Chaja in, if she is in Transnistria. – Write to us with all your news and send us something so we can keep ourselves and our children alive, but please send it quickly. – I have to stop as I’m not allowed to write this much. – Lots of love to you all, may you all be in good health and all the very best, Hersch
My address: H. Ellenbogen [...] Podulum Mogilow – Atachi
Mogilow – Poste vistante Transnistria
Dear all, Latika, Natan and the children,
I received your card from Dr. Schimmel. Thank you very much. We’ve been in Mogilow for two months. Things are direr than ever. Go to Dr. Würher and the Weler family. The messenger is a relative (Machiten) of Schindel’s sister-in-law, Rosental. I beg you, try in any way you can to send us butter, soap, potash, send us, to keep us alive. The children are fading away and we don’t have any strength left. We’ve written to you 2-3 times and it seems you didn’t receive our mail. Where are Schmule and Chaja? Both brothers were clever, have you seen them? Send us a telegram if you hear anything about them. Early on, they sent us 500 rubles, the next day Geschek was robbed and we were left with nothing. Now I only have 200 rubles. I’m writing to you and begging you – have you heard anything from dear Natan and the children? We haven’t heard from our family - we know nothing about Geshek's family. Rebeka and Albin Bumi are here. Sidi Ber and her children are here as well. Resika writes and has sent money to Albin. There’s nothing more we can do for ourselves, Moriz Mohr has sent the children 6 potatoes, they cried with joy. What can I tell you? May God keep us from dying of starvation. Geshek is working and looks half dead. What can I tell you? Don’t forget to send us food – don’t forget food and soap. Each of us can get something to eat. Are you well? Will we ever see each other again? Is there any hope of getting out of here? Dr. Teitelbaum from Radautz went to Radautz today. Where is Salzia Sacher? One of the sisters from Danne is here. Write as soon as you know where Chaja is. We’ve been eating millet since yesterday lunchtime – it’s swill. Don’t forget Mogilow; an absolutely wrecked city. Leileki – dear Leileki and dear Natan – help us – we have to stay alive. Send us medication as well, whatever you can and have. The children are asking for potatoes – but where can we get them from? Maybe God will help us by bringing peace quickly – peace that brings us back to our Radautz. God is great and I’m trying not to despair. Children – Chaja, Schmule – all of you, I cry for you all – you are my hope. Send Resin and tell Lemder and Elikl, he should help us. Lots of love to all the children pap