Last edit of this page 2021.DEC.12
Highlights
Only one of these letters was written by Abe, but the others are relevant to his situation. The letter written by Abe to Nate on April 27 showed that Abe was working with his cousin Buddy Levine in Tampa, but was considering other positions. One of those was at a shipyard, and he asked Nate for an opinion. Esther’s April 27 letter to Nate implored Nate to consider Abe’s feelings; Abe was looking at job options, but Esther sensed that Nate was putting pressure on him to return to Mocanaqua. Dora’s letter, also April 27, written from Binghamton while visiting Edith and Herman and seeing sister Ida, had praise for Alan (Edith and Herman’s son); Alan was on the verge of entering military service.
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Letter from Abe to Nate. There’s no envelope. The Stationery is from Maurice (Buddy) Levine, The Jewel Box, credit jewelers, 1512 7th Avenue, Tampa, Fla. This is written in green ink.
April 27, 1943
Dear Nate:
Trust all are well. All here fine and wish to be remembered.
Went to Shul this morning and said Yizkor. Well today is the end of Pasech and can truthfully say that I didn’t mind it at all.
Maurice [Buddy Levine] is going to Miami Sat nite and I may go with him. He is contacting a watch importer with the idea of wholesaling Swiss watches in this country.
Nate I had a very attractive job offered me at a shipyard. The general supervisor is a Jewish fellow from Phila He has had dinner at Esther’s a number of times and has asked me repeatedly to come to the yard with him. The pay would start at $7500 Per week and excellent chances for advancement. They make concrete boats for the government. My job would be strictly as supervisor over some department. I told him I didn’t think I was interested and he told me to let him know when and if I changed my mind. I haven’t said anything to Esther & Isidor about it nor was I going to tell you. He may have told Esther and Isidor but not that I know of. What would you advise? If you think I should take it I’ll do it if you say to come home I’ll do that.
[This may be missing a final page, as there is no signature.]
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Letter from Esther to Nate, regarding Abe, April 27, 1943. Year was not given, but determined by Tuesday.
Tuesday
27th of April
Dear Nate,
So many times I’ve wanted to write you but because there was the fear of being misunderstood I delayed. However as I write on please feel it is only a sisters’ feeling for a brother as compared to your feelings – brother for brother.
It would be a gross understatement to say Abe was “unhappy,” in his way he gets some fun out of life, but in my opinion it’s very little compared to his heartache & worry.
I my heart I feel and this is what I particularly want you to understand, that Abe will come back & continue in business with you, not because he wants to but because he feels obligated to you. This is tragic in that he’s at a point in his life where it is important that he do something with an eye to the future. Whereas you and your family may be content to go on with the present set-up, it is not what Abe would choose for himself & ultimately a wife and family.
As I write this I want you to know we have no plans for Abe down here, there are connections & we could do things for Abe but he has expressed that he would not choose to make Tampa his home. He plans to return in the next few weeks and at that time why don’t you both talk it over? There’s no question in my mind that he’d succeed in any venture, only please release him from the obligation he feels so keenly.
In the event he wants to return to Tampa he’s welcome, there’s the change he may get into something with the government. Only grant him the opportunity to make his own plans.
Physically I am happy to report we’re all fine. Tanya just recovered from a weeks’ illness & is back at school.
Trust you & your family are well.
Give our love to all. God bless you for all the good things you do.
Please understand –
Love
Esther
P.S. Thanx a million for the seat covers.
Alvin Sweet was in town last week – he looks well –
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Letter from Dora to Nate, postmarked Binghamton, N.Y., Apr 27, 1943. The return address is 2 McDonald Ave, Binghamton, N.Y., the home of Edith and Herman Levy.
Tuesday [April 27 was Tuesday]
Dearest Brother:
This week sure has flown by & this afternoon I’ll embark for home.
Do hope you all are well. Everyone here is fine.
We’re going to Shul this morning to say Yiskor. Which reminds me, I think Thursday nite we light the candle for papa’s yorzeit. Is that right?
Alan rec’d your letter & enclosure & rest assured, both made him speechless. I think he wrote you a letter on Sunday – he said he was going to write.
He’s some Alan. He’s all excited about going to Rochester. He wrote to the Rochester Y.M.C.A. for a room & enclosed a stamped envelope for an answer. So they replied that they have a room for him. If he is a member the room is 1.25 if he isn’t the charge is $1.60 ‑‑ & is he a stingy sort of a guy, you should hear him.
He works everyday after school & earns between 8.50 and 9.50 a week. He works by the hr – so you ought to see him figure out his wages – he’s a riot. He doesn’t spend a cent only when necessary & then he carries a record around with him. He buys bonds for his savings.
He got 3 beautiful letters of recommendation to take to Rochester – I mean beautiful. He’ll be a mighty disappointed person if the gov’t gyps him out of medical school.
Now he got notice that when he takes his physical exam at Rochester, he automatically becomes an enlisted man – so I guess it rests with fate for the medical school.
Aunt Dora [presumably Dora Swiersky Spector, who would be 61 years old in 1943] was here yesterday. I didn’t see her as I spent the day with Ida. [most likely Ida Simon Reisner, who lived in Binghamton, and not Ida Swiersky Grodsky]
How is Maurice? Kein ahora, I keep talking about how good he is. Kind lonesome to see him already too.
Nothing very new here. I’m darn glad Pasech is over because the food sure played hell with my stomach.
Guess I’ll see you the end of the week.
Call me on Thurs. when you’re in town.
Hope you all are well.
Everyone here sends love, best regards & appreciation,
Sincerely,
Dora
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