A second postcard from Emma Neumann, with the postal stamp “18.11.38”, addressed to her daughter “Frau Prof. Goldstein, 8 Holland Villas Road, London W 14, England.”
Wednesday.
My dear Gretel, as promised I am
writing to you right after the visit of the “uncle” who was here earlier and
who had only half an hour for me because today and tomorrow, especially, he has
a crazy amount of work to do, and no one has any information. From here he went
to P.S. to obtain the necessary things, which he had not sent to
him despite his promises, and he will apply himself in the near future to the
most urgent matters concerning you and me. To begin with, he noted down the
address of that British Ministry of Finance, to find out from them the amount
of payment necessary for your furniture [Gretl had furniture shipped to
England, which required paying a customs fee]. But all experts declare that
no money can be had at all until the house is sold (we are no longer able to
get permission to raise a mortgage), and they cannot understand what you have
in mind [A decree from October 3, 1938, required the transfer of assets from
Jews to non-Jews and controlled the process]. By chance, another gentleman came soon afterwards, about
whom I wrote to you earlier. He is necessary for and competent in all sorts of
things, since the other man cannot possibly do everything. Tomorrow he will
talk once more to someone about the sale of the house, and there is a slight
possibility, but we must not have any illusions, and it may be a long,
drawn-out matter. And my affairs may take even longer. But there is no hurry in
my case… [two illegible words], just don’t burden yourself with too much
work. If I had to travel in this weather, it would not be physically possible
for me and especially not at this time of the year. About that subject I’ll
write to you another time. I had a nice invitation today from L. M. Will you
thank him in my name, or do I have to do that myself? Lieschen also asked for
your address on behalf of Mariechen, whose husband is on a journey [a
euphemism for having fled or having been arrested]. I am sorry that you are
importuned by all sorts of people, especially now that you have committed
yourself to work [Gretel became Organizing Secretary for the World Union of
Progressive Judaism]. Most of all, remain in good health and don’t work so
hard, especially in that bad weather! To all of you jointly warmest greetings
and kisses!
FOR MORE LETTERS SEE MY NEXT BLOGPOST. For the originals
see LBI Archives AR 7167/MF 720.The translation is by Erika Rummel
and Susi Lessing.
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