Translation of Yiddish Letters
Translated by Leah Cohen
Translated by Leah Cohen
Undated Letter from Chayke Kalmykova Chalipskaya in Shklov, to brothers Chaim and Leyzer (Hyman and Louis Kalmikoff) in America
4 pages
Received your letter with joy and tears, because I did not know that you had been sick. If we had known about it, we would have gone to pray at our parents’ graves, but thank God that you have been healed. We have become so far-flung and distanced from each other that we cannot even exchange letters. We are well. My husband earns just enough to live on. The prices are outlandish, but what can we do? Maybe this is a decree from God: If He will allow it, then we will survive these bad times. Dear brother, you wanted to send a “pasilka” (package?) and asked whether you should send matzahs. This is “narishkeit” (silliness). We have flour, therefore we can bake matzah in the “targsin.” (?) There is also flour to bake bread. We are slowly earning some money. You asked about the boys: Yes, they work in Moscow and make some money, while the girls stay at home. About Herzl – he does not have enough to live on; he has gone for some time without eating. Dear brother, if you could send him a “pasilka,” we could save him from death. Your sister, Chayke.
Fragments of Letter from Chayke Kalmykova Chalipskaya in Shklov, to brothers Chaim and Leyzer (Hyman and Louis Kalmikoff) in America
Dear brothers, Chaim and Leyzer and sister-in-law, how could you forget that you have a brother and sister in Shklov? We have not had a letter from you, etc.
"It would give me the greatest pleasure to hear news of you [and receive photos of you and the family] . . . The cost of everything here is great -- even bread costs 100 rubles. You can understand how precarious things are. The children are in Moscow . . . Until this week Chiena [Zhenya] was by me…”
Says her heart is breaking because she had to send Chiena [her sister] away because the hunger is so great. Describes the deprivation: people are starving, the children have no food. Beseeches her brother to send anything, even a trifle, to have "rachmones" on the little ones.
"We are, thank G-d, healthy, and hope to hear the same from you. I, your sister, Chayke, got married and have 2 children, a boy and a girl. The girl is named after our mother and the boy after my husband's father. I am sending you my daughter's picture and hope you will send photos of your children."
December 30th, 1932 Letter from Semion plus Chena (Zhenya), Sonya, Meir and Lova in Moscow, to Chaim (Hyman Kalmikoff) in America
6 pages
We are wondering why we haven’t heard a single word from you in two years. At least we get some pleasure when strangers give us regards from you now and then. Please send me Leyzer’s address.
Dear brother, I cannot understand why we are the unluckiest people in the world. True, we have no parents, and we do not live among our own people. We do have two brothers, -- but they have grown distant from us. Indeed, you will not even write us a letter! And I am not even talking about helping out with money. And that would have been a great mitzvah -- to help us -- as our lives are in the hands of our enemies. Maybe it’s not possible for you . . . so I am no longer asking for help. You should live and be well, but you might have at least sent us a letter in the last two years.
Things are very bad for us here. If only you could have a look at our lives, then you would be able to comprehend what we are talking about. But could it be that all this is “beshert” (fated)? The children are all with me in Moscow: Chena [Zhenya], Sora [Sonya] , Meir and Lova. Chayke is in Shklov. So is Herzl. Let me tell you, to take a look at Herzl’s life would dissolve a stone. He is so sick, expiring of hunger. One glance at him would turn the strongest person into a wreck. Herzl received ten dollars in the summer. So he went to the “targsin” (?) and bought some flour for bread. For a short time he had something to eat. Now there is not a morsel of food in his room. He is dropping from hunger. The heart cries to look at him. But with what can I help him? I alone must support Chena (Zhenya), Sonya, Meir and Lova. They do not work; I alone work and must support them all. You can imagine my struggle. What should I do? I can’t let them starve. What can I tell you, our “tsuris” (sorrow) is very great. I have already written that we are in a dire situation, the unluckiest people in the world. We get help from nobody, and our lives have been handed over to our bitterest enemies. Chaim, I ask only one thing of you: that you answer this letter. Be well, and best regards.
(A) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
My health is not the best. I feel very bad. You wanted to know whether my sisters and brothers have any children. I can tell you that by the sisters there are no children. The oldest sister is called Chena [Zhenya], and the other Sora [Sonya]. The brothers are Meir [Mikhail Kalmykov] and Lova. They have no children, either. [Address given]
(B) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
Please let us know what happened with Shmuel. He has not written us in a long time. [Address given]
(C) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
I wonder why you have not answered my letters. Shmuel wrote me that you had married off a son and that a grandchild was born. I wish you a hearty Mazel Tov and best wishes, etc., etc.
(D) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
I received your letter with great pleasure. I’m very happy to hear that your son is considering coming over to Russia. Send my best regards to Shmuel. Ask him to write us a letter, and also ask that the same Riva Leyka should write to us.
May 30, 1968 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
3 pages
It was a great joy for me to receive a letter from you. My wife and daughter didn’t know what to think . . . Please ask Shmuel to write me; I wrote him three letters and haven’t had an answer. Now, you are interested in knowing about our family and who remains. . . I( wrote to Shmuel that you are taking an interest in the “Trop/Trots” [family?]) By us, there were seven brothers and three sisters. The oldest was Chaim [Hyman Kalmikoff]. The second was Leyzer (Louis Kalmikoff). The third, a sister, Chena [Zhenya], and then a sister, Chaya [Chayke Chalipskaya]. A brother, Meyshe, who died at 25. I am 68 years old. There is also a sister, Sonya; she is 66 years old. There was a brother, Semion; he died at 57, a year ago. Now there is a brother, Meir, aged 58 [Mikhail]. There are no young ones among us. The mezinka “baby” of the family is Lova, aged 55. Meir has a son who is 30 years old, and I have a daughter aged 22. This is our family. There are now five of us: three brothers and two sisters. Chayka was murdered by the fascists: They shot her along with her five little children. The husband was killed in the war. You said you wanted to see us. Four years ago I could have gone to see you, but now that I am sick, it would be easier if you visited us. I am interested to know who is Leyzer’s wife, as she is from Shklov. I would like to write her a letter. All the best.
August 14th, 1968 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
To my dear niece, Chana, husband, children and entire family,
We were very happy to receive your letter, as we heard that you are getting ready to come to Russia. I am writing you one more time [to let you know that] the person who gave you regards from me [can tell you] how you can get to Shklov.
We are wondering why Shmuel does not write us a letter -- he must be extremely busy. Send him regards from us. He should be well, along with his wife, children and grandchildren. I wonder why Riva Leyka doesn't write us a letter -- it just takes a drop of time . . . Heartfelt regards to your husband and children from us.
Now you ask to know more about your mother's family. I can tell you that there was an Uncle Meyshe, your mother's brother, who lived in America for some time. But it didn't appeal to him so much, so he returned to Russia. A few years later he died, leaving behind your aunt and four sons. In the 40s, the Fascists came and murdered them, so that now no one remains from that family. Heartfelt regards to you all. My wife and daughter -- we all look forward to a prompt reply. Be well.
Your Uncle, Hertzl
August 16th, 1968 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
Looking forward to your visit. You asked where my brothers and sister live. They are in Moscow. They work there for a pittance. We are living on a pension. My daughter works as a machinist (“Sestra”) .(?) When you are ready to come to Shklov, ask Itza, the man who gave us regards from you, how to go about getting here. We sent the sister-in-law a letter but got no answer. Please tell us what happened to Shmuel: He stopped writing to us. From your letter we understand that he is living with his children, either with or without his wife. You should request the visa for Bellarussiya, Mogilovska Oblast, Gorod Shklov. We can’t wait to see you.
September 30, 1969 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
For a whole year we have not been in touch with one another. Shmuel also has forgotten about me: He used to write me every month. You ask who remains from our family: Two brothers and two sisters. They are already old. By me the “falazenia” (situation) is not good. I have been sick already eleven months with a very bad “balezena” (disease). God should grant that you never know from such things. Can you send Shmuel’s address if you have it? I ask that you not hold on to any of my letters – please answer them immediately. Also, can you send us two pairs of warm boots, for my wife and daughter: size 38. I wish you all a Happy New Year.
November 12, 1969 Bashe Yoffe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
I am answering your letter very promptly. My health is very bad. You ask how old my sister is. The older sister is 78. The younger sister is 75. One brother is 70, another is 60 and the last one is 56. I ask that you send two pairs of warm boots: one pair size 38 for my wife; the other pair size __ for my daughter. You need not send money. We very much hope that you will visit us in Shklov. The brother and sisters are 600 kilometers away in Moscow. Best regards.
February 4, 1970 Letter from Bashe Yoffe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
Dear Niece, we received a letter from you some time back, which we did not answer. We were waiting for the things that you sent out, which we did not receive. We don’t know what to think. When you get our letter, please answer right away. My health is not the best. I am sending you the address in Moscow of the brothers and sisters. [Address given]
June 22nd, 1970 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 Page
To our best friends, our niece and nephew, Chana and her husband. We are wondering why we received no response to the letter we sent you six weeks ago. We included our address, so that you would know where we live and would be able to travel here, so that we could finally see one another. Here in Moscow you have two uncles and two aunts, and one nephew, aged 30 years. We can’t write you a “fardroybene” proper/detailed (?) letter until we have an answer to our last one. We are sending you our address again, and when we hear from you we will respond.
August 10th, 1970 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya (plus Lova, Mishe and Yuli) to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 Page
You asked about Uncle Grisha from Shklov. I can tell you that he died on 16 October 1969. Uncle Shimen also died, on Sept. 25, 1967. We’re sending you a picture of Aunt Chayka, whom the “Bandit Hitler” murdered along with her four children. Also a picture of Uncle Shimon, who died.
November 2nd, 1970 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
We have sent you three letters but have received no response. We are greatly troubled by this. And now we have suffered a misfortune: Our nephew Shayl [Sol Kalmikoff] has died. We are taking care of the situation. And more tragedy: My brother, Simeon died on Sept. 25, 1967, and Uncle Grisha from Shklov on Oct. 17, 1969. So there remain two uncles, two aunts and a nephew, Yuli. They all live in Moscow. We can’t wait for you to visit, the sooner the better, so we can see each other in our lifetimes. Of the four letters we wrote you we received only one answer. We are all well and hope you are, too.
March 11th, 1971 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 Pages
Today I received a “piece” of a letter from you; it seems that you forgot to finish it. In the letter, you ask again about Uncle Hertzl. We wrote you several times that Uncle Hertzl died on October 16, 1969. I think that you already know that he has died. We are concerned, dear Chana, because we believe that you are not comprehending the letters we are sending you. Because of this, we figure the best idea would be to give the letters to another “yid” (Jew) who could read them out loud to you, so that you would understand clearly what we are writing. We also ask that you write to us in English and we will take care of the translation, because we do not understand what you write. The sister-in-law writes very badly in Yiddish, and we don’t know what she writes, either. I don’t understand anything of this “piece of a letter,” so we are sending it back and we will write what we will. Greetings from Lova, Meir and Yuli, Meir’s son (and your cousin).
May 3rd, 1971 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
We do not understand why we received no answer to the letter we sent on March 12, almost two months ago. We had also asked you not to write in Yiddish, but to write in English. Please answer promptly. Regards from the whole family: us, Sonya, Chiena [Zhenya], Lova, Meir and Yuli.
Undated Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
We got a letter from you which we do not understand: Why do you write of Uncle Hertzl of Shklov, since we wrote you that he died? It was already two years ago! And why do you not ask about the two aunts, one is called Zhenya and the other Sonya, and the two uncles, Leiv and Meir? You do not mention/remember them. If you are unable to understand our letters clearly, then maybe you can find an elderly “yid” (Jew) who could read the letters to you out loud [possible intent: “uberleinen” to translate]. And now about visiting here: The sooner you come the better for our lives. To get the certificates, you need to go to the ___ in New York, pay for the certificates with your money and write down the correct address. This is where you should send the money. [Moscow address given]
(A) Undated Letter from Bashe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
I want to inform you that we have suffered a tragedy: my husband, Herzl, has died. There was a very big “levaya” (funeral). There came from Moscow a brother and a sister. I am very upset because Herzl suffered from a nasty illness and it cost us a lot of money, as we sought help from the biggest doctors in Moscow. But nothing helped, and all the money went to waste. I ask that you not forget us, and please write to us. We cannot wait to meet you in person. From me, your Bashe, and my daughter. I ask you to write to the name of my first husband [address given].
(B) Undated Letter from Bashe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
We are wondering why you have not answered my letter. What has happened by you? I beg you, if you receive this letter, please respond. How are you all feeling? The whole family is well? How is Chana – your husband and the children? I await a prompt response. From your aunt Bashe and daughter Mane [Masha Kalmykova].
4 pages
Received your letter with joy and tears, because I did not know that you had been sick. If we had known about it, we would have gone to pray at our parents’ graves, but thank God that you have been healed. We have become so far-flung and distanced from each other that we cannot even exchange letters. We are well. My husband earns just enough to live on. The prices are outlandish, but what can we do? Maybe this is a decree from God: If He will allow it, then we will survive these bad times. Dear brother, you wanted to send a “pasilka” (package?) and asked whether you should send matzahs. This is “narishkeit” (silliness). We have flour, therefore we can bake matzah in the “targsin.” (?) There is also flour to bake bread. We are slowly earning some money. You asked about the boys: Yes, they work in Moscow and make some money, while the girls stay at home. About Herzl – he does not have enough to live on; he has gone for some time without eating. Dear brother, if you could send him a “pasilka,” we could save him from death. Your sister, Chayke.
Fragments of Letter from Chayke Kalmykova Chalipskaya in Shklov, to brothers Chaim and Leyzer (Hyman and Louis Kalmikoff) in America
Dear brothers, Chaim and Leyzer and sister-in-law, how could you forget that you have a brother and sister in Shklov? We have not had a letter from you, etc.
"It would give me the greatest pleasure to hear news of you [and receive photos of you and the family] . . . The cost of everything here is great -- even bread costs 100 rubles. You can understand how precarious things are. The children are in Moscow . . . Until this week Chiena [Zhenya] was by me…”
Says her heart is breaking because she had to send Chiena [her sister] away because the hunger is so great. Describes the deprivation: people are starving, the children have no food. Beseeches her brother to send anything, even a trifle, to have "rachmones" on the little ones.
"We are, thank G-d, healthy, and hope to hear the same from you. I, your sister, Chayke, got married and have 2 children, a boy and a girl. The girl is named after our mother and the boy after my husband's father. I am sending you my daughter's picture and hope you will send photos of your children."
December 30th, 1932 Letter from Semion plus Chena (Zhenya), Sonya, Meir and Lova in Moscow, to Chaim (Hyman Kalmikoff) in America
6 pages
We are wondering why we haven’t heard a single word from you in two years. At least we get some pleasure when strangers give us regards from you now and then. Please send me Leyzer’s address.
Dear brother, I cannot understand why we are the unluckiest people in the world. True, we have no parents, and we do not live among our own people. We do have two brothers, -- but they have grown distant from us. Indeed, you will not even write us a letter! And I am not even talking about helping out with money. And that would have been a great mitzvah -- to help us -- as our lives are in the hands of our enemies. Maybe it’s not possible for you . . . so I am no longer asking for help. You should live and be well, but you might have at least sent us a letter in the last two years.
Things are very bad for us here. If only you could have a look at our lives, then you would be able to comprehend what we are talking about. But could it be that all this is “beshert” (fated)? The children are all with me in Moscow: Chena [Zhenya], Sora [Sonya] , Meir and Lova. Chayke is in Shklov. So is Herzl. Let me tell you, to take a look at Herzl’s life would dissolve a stone. He is so sick, expiring of hunger. One glance at him would turn the strongest person into a wreck. Herzl received ten dollars in the summer. So he went to the “targsin” (?) and bought some flour for bread. For a short time he had something to eat. Now there is not a morsel of food in his room. He is dropping from hunger. The heart cries to look at him. But with what can I help him? I alone must support Chena (Zhenya), Sonya, Meir and Lova. They do not work; I alone work and must support them all. You can imagine my struggle. What should I do? I can’t let them starve. What can I tell you, our “tsuris” (sorrow) is very great. I have already written that we are in a dire situation, the unluckiest people in the world. We get help from nobody, and our lives have been handed over to our bitterest enemies. Chaim, I ask only one thing of you: that you answer this letter. Be well, and best regards.
(A) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
My health is not the best. I feel very bad. You wanted to know whether my sisters and brothers have any children. I can tell you that by the sisters there are no children. The oldest sister is called Chena [Zhenya], and the other Sora [Sonya]. The brothers are Meir [Mikhail Kalmykov] and Lova. They have no children, either. [Address given]
(B) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
Please let us know what happened with Shmuel. He has not written us in a long time. [Address given]
(C) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
I wonder why you have not answered my letters. Shmuel wrote me that you had married off a son and that a grandchild was born. I wish you a hearty Mazel Tov and best wishes, etc., etc.
(D) Undated Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
I received your letter with great pleasure. I’m very happy to hear that your son is considering coming over to Russia. Send my best regards to Shmuel. Ask him to write us a letter, and also ask that the same Riva Leyka should write to us.
May 30, 1968 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
3 pages
It was a great joy for me to receive a letter from you. My wife and daughter didn’t know what to think . . . Please ask Shmuel to write me; I wrote him three letters and haven’t had an answer. Now, you are interested in knowing about our family and who remains. . . I( wrote to Shmuel that you are taking an interest in the “Trop/Trots” [family?]) By us, there were seven brothers and three sisters. The oldest was Chaim [Hyman Kalmikoff]. The second was Leyzer (Louis Kalmikoff). The third, a sister, Chena [Zhenya], and then a sister, Chaya [Chayke Chalipskaya]. A brother, Meyshe, who died at 25. I am 68 years old. There is also a sister, Sonya; she is 66 years old. There was a brother, Semion; he died at 57, a year ago. Now there is a brother, Meir, aged 58 [Mikhail]. There are no young ones among us. The mezinka “baby” of the family is Lova, aged 55. Meir has a son who is 30 years old, and I have a daughter aged 22. This is our family. There are now five of us: three brothers and two sisters. Chayka was murdered by the fascists: They shot her along with her five little children. The husband was killed in the war. You said you wanted to see us. Four years ago I could have gone to see you, but now that I am sick, it would be easier if you visited us. I am interested to know who is Leyzer’s wife, as she is from Shklov. I would like to write her a letter. All the best.
August 14th, 1968 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
To my dear niece, Chana, husband, children and entire family,
We were very happy to receive your letter, as we heard that you are getting ready to come to Russia. I am writing you one more time [to let you know that] the person who gave you regards from me [can tell you] how you can get to Shklov.
We are wondering why Shmuel does not write us a letter -- he must be extremely busy. Send him regards from us. He should be well, along with his wife, children and grandchildren. I wonder why Riva Leyka doesn't write us a letter -- it just takes a drop of time . . . Heartfelt regards to your husband and children from us.
Now you ask to know more about your mother's family. I can tell you that there was an Uncle Meyshe, your mother's brother, who lived in America for some time. But it didn't appeal to him so much, so he returned to Russia. A few years later he died, leaving behind your aunt and four sons. In the 40s, the Fascists came and murdered them, so that now no one remains from that family. Heartfelt regards to you all. My wife and daughter -- we all look forward to a prompt reply. Be well.
Your Uncle, Hertzl
August 16th, 1968 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
Looking forward to your visit. You asked where my brothers and sister live. They are in Moscow. They work there for a pittance. We are living on a pension. My daughter works as a machinist (“Sestra”) .(?) When you are ready to come to Shklov, ask Itza, the man who gave us regards from you, how to go about getting here. We sent the sister-in-law a letter but got no answer. Please tell us what happened to Shmuel: He stopped writing to us. From your letter we understand that he is living with his children, either with or without his wife. You should request the visa for Bellarussiya, Mogilovska Oblast, Gorod Shklov. We can’t wait to see you.
September 30, 1969 Letter from Grigori “Hertzl” Kalmykov to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
For a whole year we have not been in touch with one another. Shmuel also has forgotten about me: He used to write me every month. You ask who remains from our family: Two brothers and two sisters. They are already old. By me the “falazenia” (situation) is not good. I have been sick already eleven months with a very bad “balezena” (disease). God should grant that you never know from such things. Can you send Shmuel’s address if you have it? I ask that you not hold on to any of my letters – please answer them immediately. Also, can you send us two pairs of warm boots, for my wife and daughter: size 38. I wish you all a Happy New Year.
November 12, 1969 Bashe Yoffe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
I am answering your letter very promptly. My health is very bad. You ask how old my sister is. The older sister is 78. The younger sister is 75. One brother is 70, another is 60 and the last one is 56. I ask that you send two pairs of warm boots: one pair size 38 for my wife; the other pair size __ for my daughter. You need not send money. We very much hope that you will visit us in Shklov. The brother and sisters are 600 kilometers away in Moscow. Best regards.
February 4, 1970 Letter from Bashe Yoffe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
Dear Niece, we received a letter from you some time back, which we did not answer. We were waiting for the things that you sent out, which we did not receive. We don’t know what to think. When you get our letter, please answer right away. My health is not the best. I am sending you the address in Moscow of the brothers and sisters. [Address given]
June 22nd, 1970 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 Page
To our best friends, our niece and nephew, Chana and her husband. We are wondering why we received no response to the letter we sent you six weeks ago. We included our address, so that you would know where we live and would be able to travel here, so that we could finally see one another. Here in Moscow you have two uncles and two aunts, and one nephew, aged 30 years. We can’t write you a “fardroybene” proper/detailed (?) letter until we have an answer to our last one. We are sending you our address again, and when we hear from you we will respond.
August 10th, 1970 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya (plus Lova, Mishe and Yuli) to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 Page
You asked about Uncle Grisha from Shklov. I can tell you that he died on 16 October 1969. Uncle Shimen also died, on Sept. 25, 1967. We’re sending you a picture of Aunt Chayka, whom the “Bandit Hitler” murdered along with her four children. Also a picture of Uncle Shimon, who died.
November 2nd, 1970 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
We have sent you three letters but have received no response. We are greatly troubled by this. And now we have suffered a misfortune: Our nephew Shayl [Sol Kalmikoff] has died. We are taking care of the situation. And more tragedy: My brother, Simeon died on Sept. 25, 1967, and Uncle Grisha from Shklov on Oct. 17, 1969. So there remain two uncles, two aunts and a nephew, Yuli. They all live in Moscow. We can’t wait for you to visit, the sooner the better, so we can see each other in our lifetimes. Of the four letters we wrote you we received only one answer. We are all well and hope you are, too.
March 11th, 1971 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 Pages
Today I received a “piece” of a letter from you; it seems that you forgot to finish it. In the letter, you ask again about Uncle Hertzl. We wrote you several times that Uncle Hertzl died on October 16, 1969. I think that you already know that he has died. We are concerned, dear Chana, because we believe that you are not comprehending the letters we are sending you. Because of this, we figure the best idea would be to give the letters to another “yid” (Jew) who could read them out loud to you, so that you would understand clearly what we are writing. We also ask that you write to us in English and we will take care of the translation, because we do not understand what you write. The sister-in-law writes very badly in Yiddish, and we don’t know what she writes, either. I don’t understand anything of this “piece of a letter,” so we are sending it back and we will write what we will. Greetings from Lova, Meir and Yuli, Meir’s son (and your cousin).
May 3rd, 1971 Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
We do not understand why we received no answer to the letter we sent on March 12, almost two months ago. We had also asked you not to write in Yiddish, but to write in English. Please answer promptly. Regards from the whole family: us, Sonya, Chiena [Zhenya], Lova, Meir and Yuli.
Undated Letter from Sonya and Zhenya to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
We got a letter from you which we do not understand: Why do you write of Uncle Hertzl of Shklov, since we wrote you that he died? It was already two years ago! And why do you not ask about the two aunts, one is called Zhenya and the other Sonya, and the two uncles, Leiv and Meir? You do not mention/remember them. If you are unable to understand our letters clearly, then maybe you can find an elderly “yid” (Jew) who could read the letters to you out loud [possible intent: “uberleinen” to translate]. And now about visiting here: The sooner you come the better for our lives. To get the certificates, you need to go to the ___ in New York, pay for the certificates with your money and write down the correct address. This is where you should send the money. [Moscow address given]
(A) Undated Letter from Bashe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
2 pages
I want to inform you that we have suffered a tragedy: my husband, Herzl, has died. There was a very big “levaya” (funeral). There came from Moscow a brother and a sister. I am very upset because Herzl suffered from a nasty illness and it cost us a lot of money, as we sought help from the biggest doctors in Moscow. But nothing helped, and all the money went to waste. I ask that you not forget us, and please write to us. We cannot wait to meet you in person. From me, your Bashe, and my daughter. I ask you to write to the name of my first husband [address given].
(B) Undated Letter from Bashe Mankina Kalmykova to Chana (Anne Kalmikoff Miller)
1 page
We are wondering why you have not answered my letter. What has happened by you? I beg you, if you receive this letter, please respond. How are you all feeling? The whole family is well? How is Chana – your husband and the children? I await a prompt response. From your aunt Bashe and daughter Mane [Masha Kalmykova].