Fainting at Yom Kippur Services
Sylvia describes uncomfortable Yom Kippur services to Alex in 1943: I’ve returned from synagogue and feel a little dizzy right now. Going to the synagogue today was an interesting experience, … Continue reading
A Fun Sailor’s Song – September 26, 1943 (Alex)
I’ve been transcribing letters at a rapid pace but deliquent about posting them here on the blog. I’m going to post a few in quick succession without a lot of … Continue reading
It is a funny thing how slowly we get to become sailors. (Alex) Sept 24, 1943
Whoops, in my posting I missed this letter so it is a few days earlier than the last couple posts. I really love this little section of the letter where … Continue reading
I cheered myself up by buying 2 pairs of stockings and a compact. (Sylvia) Sept 23, 1943
This is a letter I typed up but neglected to post earlier. In this short one, we get to hear Sylvia’s reaction to her brother’s letter a day or so … Continue reading
“At least with my people, we were trained to help each other when needed.” Sept 23, 1943 (Alex)
Alex responds to Sylvia with answers to her questions about where his camp is located, whether she can and should visit, and asking his family for baby clothes for Adrienne. … Continue reading
Sept 21, 1943: Dependency doesn’t become me.(Sylvia)
A letter from Sylvia with some neat little details about life in 1943, including the fact that she cannot find Alex’s training base on the map she was given (and … Continue reading
Sept 21, 1943 Alex to Sylvia: “I hope you won’t develop some of those yenta attitudes, you know how I hate that.”
Sometimes the tones of these letters are so strikingly different because they keep getting the wires crossed (literally). Sylvia last wrote to Alex to say how thrilled and excited she … Continue reading
Sept 20, 1943: when I’m alone I get morbid. Will write you what I do and when, if ever. (Sylvia, 1 of 2 parts)
Sylvia is waiting with Adrienne for Alex’s parents and siblings to arrive. Adrienne is all dressed up for the occasion and this letter is mostly her idle observations of the … Continue reading
Thursday will now be a word of magic for me
Happy Thursday! Here’s a sweet letter from Sylvia who sounds a bit giddy from playing with Adrienne and having talked to (in her words, “kibbutzed”) with neighbors all day long. … Continue reading
Brooklyn Navy Yard Center
My parents went to see Sylvia’s letters on display @BLDG92 – the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center. The whole center is beautiful and engaging. Go there and support this great new … Continue reading
