Object numberM2001/001:118
DescriptionLetter, handwritten in black ink on grid paper, both sides, dated 22 March 1941
Jakob Sapir, his wife Tola and son Peter, travelled in the late 1930s from Poland to Vilno in Lithuania, then on to Moscow. They then travelled from Vladivostock to Kobe, Japan and eventually arrived in Shanghai in 1941. They lived in the French quarter in Shanghai, but were later moved into the Hongkew ghetto. Peter Sapir attended St. Francis Xavier's school, run by English priests, which was outside the ghetto boundary. Jakob Sapir earned a living in Shanghai running a Polish kitchen. The family left Shanghai in 1947, aboard the "Hwa Lien" ship, migrating to Sydney, Australia.
Jakob Sapir, his wife Tola and son Peter, travelled in the late 1930s from Poland to Vilno in Lithuania, then on to Moscow. They then travelled from Vladivostock to Kobe, Japan and eventually arrived in Shanghai in 1941. They lived in the French quarter in Shanghai, but were later moved into the Hongkew ghetto. Peter Sapir attended St. Francis Xavier's school, run by English priests, which was outside the ghetto boundary. Jakob Sapir earned a living in Shanghai running a Polish kitchen. The family left Shanghai in 1947, aboard the "Hwa Lien" ship, migrating to Sydney, Australia.
Production placeVilna, Lithuania
Production date 1941-03-22
SubjectHolocaust, communications, desperation
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Language
- Polish My dear, we thank you for your letter. You can't imagine how sad we are and how worried we are regarding your difficult journey. According to your letter it appears that it was better that you left.
I personally think that everything will turn out better for you but don’t become despondent. I don’t know how to thank you for your kind heart and for remembering us even in the difficult circumstances that you find yourself in you still remember us.
We decided with Haneczka and Basiunkai to stay where we are.
We are all at present healthy. Hania is working and Edek for quite a while has been out of work however he is expecting to obtain employment from the 1st of April.
My sister Fela continues to work in the hospital and somehow we manage to live. Often we see Mrs Fercia and we talk about you. How is little Peter’s health? I wrote a long letter to Mrs Leci but I have not received any reply. I am sending you a photo of Edek because he is attached to you as we are as well. I forgot a red handbag which immediately I gave to Mrs Meci who had to give it to you through friends.
Here spring is commencing and we are waiting for rain, the weather is uncertain.
Basiunia now walks on her own since several months now. We are now looking for a carer for her so that she can return home. I have to finish my letter because she is waking up.
We are kissing you from all our heart and remember that in us you have closest friends and you can depend on us as if we were your closest family. We will always remember you and I hope that we will once more see and greet each other.
Yours Wandie
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr Peter Sapir