In 1939, during the Soviet occupation, my grandfather, Yerachmiel Stavsky, sent a postcard from Volchin to my mother Tema Stavsky Birenboim and aunt, Nechama, in Israel:
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| The Postcard |
My grandfather, who often spoke in an Ipcha Mistabra manner, used his linguistic talents to get his message past Soviet censorship. His meaning was clearly understood by my mother and aunt.
In the text, my grandfather wrote that he had “milk and honey” but he clearly meant that his situation was the very opposite. He did not deny the Soviets in whose offices in W-L his son, Berel, found work as a bookkeeper and earned 300 rubles a month (My friend Moshe Smoler, who was a teacher in a Brest educational institution at that time, told me that teachers in Brest earned about the same.)
Berl did not consent to live in W-L in his aunt Menucha's house, and preferred to live with family Zvayentz, paying rent of 10 rubles a month. On weekends he would appear in Volchin, and stayed in his father Yerachmiel's house. During week days he worked 5 and a half hours a day and finished working 15:30 in the afternoon.
Volchin
the 27th of November
Dear children,
I received today your package. It
was on the way exactly one month. We received you letter with the
photo. I sent you an answer some weeks ago. We are
all, thank God. Not worse should we hear from you. I am thank
God. I have from milk and honey. Now I don’t have any
milk because the cow is soon about to deliver . ------ however, as it is,
thank God, I have what to eat from all sorts. It should only continue this way
that I will not lack until I am called.
As for Berl, as follows: he is working in Wysokie
in the government. He is a helper to an accountant. He earns 300
rubles a month. He has a good position. In summer he used every evening,
after finishing his work, to come to Volchin because he finished 3:30
o’clock the work. This is by Moscow time 5:30. However, now,
in winter, he cannot come because it is necessary, early in the
morning, to travel back when it is still dark. He comes Sabbath evening until
Sunday and travels back Monday early morning. Sunday is a free day.
He is ------- -------. He made for himself a pair of good boots. It cost three months work but
I gave him half.
Here we don’t have yet frost. Not
that it is warm, but like the month of Kheshvan mud-pools, but near the apartment it
is dry. This is not the alley where we lived before. It is warm in the
apartment and also the ceiling does not rest on our heads and the apartment is in
a street.
Berl is a boarder at the Zavients family. He pays
twenty rubles a month. At Menukha’s place he does not want to
stay. He comes over to Menukha. In other words,
all are thank God.
The old man is fairly well still an active man. He travels to
Brest for merchandize and he keeps his store open.
For my part, it is already enough to
write. Probably Minnie will write a few words.
I greet all of you. Regards to the
in-laws. Your father and father-in-law,
Yerachmiel
The second part is from Minnie, Yerachmiel's grown daughter, who was still living at home:
My dear ones, by us is
everything OK. Berl works in Wysokie as an accountant. Therefore he is a
boarder at Reizel Zayonts. Nekhe, You know her------ like Motl, son of Khaike and his
push/poke! Also by Freide is everything OK.
Today I made Mindl a small dresse
with two aprons. She is a very pretty child. The other week
I was a bit sick. I went immediately to Kirshtrin and for 8 days I stayed
in Visokey. It cost a bit of money and now I am well again. I
had a heavy cold. No more news.
How is the situation by you? Is it
entirely quiet/calm? Write every week. We will do the same. Stay well all of you and be blessed.
Regards from Freide and her husband and sons.
