22.3. 1939
My dear Gretel, I just settled
down to write to you, that is, stretched out on the chaise longue, as I always
do in the morning -- earlier I had called Dr. Kr[aus], unfortunately to no
purpose because you always tell me half of everything or less than half -- when
Mrs. Liebenstein [Emma’s neighbour] arrived for a lengthy visit. She too
had nothing pleasant to tell me. First about Dr. Kr[aus]: You tell me that your
furniture is now at customs, for which I was very glad. As you write that
everything is working out once I pay, I waited until this morning for a call
from Dr. K. telling me to send the money. Then I called him myself, so I could
write about it to you, and heard to my surprise that I need not look after
anything, that you knew everything from him, from Br. and Roth etc., also the
main thing – that the 15 Pounds must be paid there in foreign currency, as for
sending the money to the company one first needs permission from the foreign
currency office. Dr. K. is of the opinion, which I second, that it cannot be
very difficult for you to have someone there pay the 80 Marks or lend them to
you. Is Wolfgang [Gretel’s oldest son] not able to do so, or Turk [?] or
whoever else there may be? And I cannot understand that you cannot find
sufficient time for yourself, to rent a flat. After all that is also important,
and mainly, let me advise you not to rent just a place for the summer now that
it will soon be warm weather, but rather to think of winter, so that you will
have a warm and comfortable place by then. You know how bad this winter was,
and we had snow until yesterday and very cold temperatures. Mrs. Liebenstein
was very indignant – I promised to report it to you. She wrote to you twice in
five months, always with return postage, and you remained mum (she said). She
has a very rich brother in Lugano [?], who will give full guarantees for her,
and they also want to go to England and would like to know how much money they
have to deposit and for how many years. I promised to write that to you, and
perhaps you could write to her directly at Kaiserstasse 41 or write to me, and
she will pick up the answer in eight days. It would be best if you told her
about the office where she needs to apply. If you could do so, I personally
would like it if you took care of her a little. She was not wrong to say: if
one lives 30 years in a house, well, etc. To get back to your office affairs,
may I ask: What do you mean when you say “Tell Oppenh[eimer] and the other
relatives that I have nothing at all to do with Wob[urn] House”? [Woburn
House was the Jewish Refugee Centre helping German and Austrian Jews to
emigrate to Britain.] I know that very well and haven’t been asked for your
address or anything else in a long time. Who is Oppenheimer? As far as I
remember…Marianne [?] asked for your address. Are the Webers finally leaving
you in peace? I haven’t heard from them in a long time. Mar.’s principle is to
write to us only when she wants something, and Lilly v H [i.e. from Hanau?]
didn’t even think of visiting me. Some time ago I wrote to you “I bet you ten
to one, that you won’t guess who visited me” – since it is a riddle, put a
“Dr.” in front, and you’ll solve it. That Lilly has an acquaintance in Hanau,
you know as well as I do, you silly girl! Did you not at the time take my
silverware along? [A decree of Feb 21 1939 required Jews to turn in gold,
silver, and other valuables to the state without compensation.] Otherwise, I don’t understand your doubts.
Adele visited me yesterday morning and told me much that was of interest. After
years of hesitation on B’s part, she and B intend to visit your hospitable
island, but how long will it take [to realize that]? T. Georgi was here just
now for an hour in the morning and brought me a very kind letter from Irmgard
and a piece of Prinzregenten cake from the birthday [celebration]. Lieschen
arrived safely in C[anada] with her party of five. Now, after my tea, I am
sitting once again at my desk, expecting Mimi [Wilhelmine Bing, Emma’s
sister] shortly, perhaps also Guste [Auguste Gutmann, married to Emma's
uncle] and am sending you, my dear child, 1000 heartfelt greetings and
kisses for today. Your devoted mother.
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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