I was, at that time, prevented because it had come to the point that I was mortgaged, surrounded by debts, my wife's jewelry pawned. I couldn't make a move, but nevertheless, should you have spoken up and reminded me, I do not know what might have been. But when you were silent, I too was silent. Therefore I think, and have always thought, that you would never write to me. But, as it appears, everything comes to an end.
Time changes everything and hurls the past into forgetfulness.
You surely remembered that your brother still would like to hear from you. You may all be greatly happy that you left Russia on time, and did not see or suffer the fear, terror and horror that we have lived through and in which we still live now. Hunger, cold and nakedness, and then the small things. That for one year almost the entire town, were sitting in darkness, there was nothing with which to light a fire at night and we were frightened from the outside, that soon robbers, thieves would come into the house to take the last linen pants and to slaughter everybody. You must greatly thank God.