Letter No. 26

Dear Heinz,

As you may have learned to know from previous letters Indicating the contents of the Christmas parcels we have added twice packages of tobacco, Besides, when receiving your letter asking for tobacco I have sent one package by first class mail to be followed by another to-morrow. Altogether 4 Christmas parcels have been sent to you. Unaware of their delivery if at Christmas or before, we have sent to you a regular parcel complying with your wishes we all have anticipated, a few day ago. (Novb. 2nd)

The parcel contains 1 pair socks, 1 package pumpernickel, 1 tin sardines, 1 tin ham paste, 4 soups, 2 puddings , Maggi cubes, 1/2 lb. candies, 1 package tobacco,1/2 1b. Nestle cocoa powder. Should you have any wishes please write, otherwise we are not allowed to send a parcel if not showing the letter. Contents of parcels are restricted to 5 lbs.

I am quite sure to have written to you months ago, that Erna Levy's have been staying here since about March, Last month they have left New York again for Miami, but consider to come back next spring.The letter you have received comes from their son Heinz (Henry) as surmised by you and, as far as I remember his surname is changed too, as you may gather from his letter.[1]

Saturday we went to see Alice at the hospital.[2] Weather has not been favourable just on the days made an appointment each time to be postponed, but this tine we have been favoured by fine weather. After having spent some time at her room, we took a bus to a ferry and crossed the Hudson each time taking about 20 minutes.We enjoyed the trip very much.

Mother is continuing doing some home work never knowing how long it will last, as it depends on orders and I am still giving lessons I wish I could give some more.[3]

Weather is very mild, now and then rain, but on a average nice autumn weather. Otherwise, too hot, we have to turn off the central heating in contrast to the chilly times we had experienced in our London flat. At present there is much excitement about Roosevelt's reelection that is expected .The result will be later known owing to the delayed arrival of the soldiers' vote.

From Laqueurs', cousin of Ilse Mayer,[4] we got a letter. To escape the robots they have spent a few months in the country with friends, Last week we heard the first service of jewish soldiers on German ground.[5]

With best regards

in love

[Handwritten] Your father

[Handwritten] Lots of love and kisses, your mother

Notes:

1. Son of Erna Levy, lived in England, changed his name to Henry Leigh, who was a second cousin to Dad.

2. Presumably Rockland State Hospital. See letter of October 12.

3. See letter of September 30.

4. Guess Dad's parents also knew Ilse, but obviously already married to Yogi.

5. According to the New York Times of October 30, 1944, a service held in a field in Aachen for Jewish soldiers on October 29 was not the first in Germany, but "today's National Broadcasting Corporation's program--in which listeners in the United States heard the background of shellfire--was living proof that one of the Four Freedoms has been restored in occupied Germany."