Sept 20, 1943 “Your call knocked me off my feet” (Sylvia part 2/2)
This was a complicated letter to put together, transcribe, and get translated from multiple languages. But we get multiple perspectives of the day and many voices assuring Alex that all … 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
Think of all the ugly things about me
I love that in this letter Sylvia warns Alex not to idealize her. She has imposter syndrome about her relationship! It’s an interesting side effect of correspondence and prolonged absence: … Continue reading
Why should I develop those horrible bourgeois traits!
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, in honor of the chaotic consumerism that is Black Friday, we have a letter from Sylvia written the week after Thanksgiving expressing some jealousy of her neighbor’s … Continue reading
Tonsorial Operation [aka Haircuts!]
A short letter from Alex about keeping your head up, waiting, and haircuts. Nov 8, 1944 Dearest lover of mine, Another day has gone by and we still are here … 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
You won a contest … Are we the exceptions?
This sweet, short letter was written the day after the 1944 election and Alex describes mailing his ballot with a note saying he is disappointed that he didn’t receive it … Continue reading
Confronting the Past in Berlin
I’ve just returned from a trip to Berlin — a city saturated in World War II history. When you walk around Berlin, you come across the Holocaust Memorial whether you … Continue reading
