Object numberM2018/004:011
DescriptionLetter from Zvi Szyiowicz in Palestine, to the Gilden and Palmer family in Australia, 20 July 1944. Zvi (previously Hermann) is writing to his cousins Minni and Louis and Uncle Isaak and Aunt Hanna. He writes in detail of life in a kibbutz, including the social and economic realities of such. In particular, he laments the lack of privacy and the limitations of a young demographic. Toward the end of the letter, he reflects on the situation on Germany and the murder of Jews. It is unclear when Zvi left Poland for Palestine, but he would later die in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948.
The letter is part of a collection of correspondence donated to the Museum by Phillip Palmer. His mother, Miriam (Minni) Gilden, her parents Isaak Awigdor and Chana (Hanna) Gilden and her brother Louis, emigrated from Germany to Australia, arriving 16 December 1938. Minni, who was born 12 May 1923, was 16 at the time and her brother was 12. Most of the letters are dialogue between maternal family and friends, spanning 1937 through to the early years of WWII; however, there is one letter written to Madam Gilden (presumably Hanna Gilden) in 1947 pertaining to inquiries about her parent’s property in Poland.
Phillip’s parents, Minni and Fritz Palmbaum (who later became Fred Palmer), were married on 9 January 1944. Fred emigrated from Hildesheim in the North of Germany on 3 November 1938, via a sponsorship by NAJEX; he was 15 at the time. After a few years working with sheet metal at J. Goldstein & Co, he enlisted with the Australian Army in 1942 as a member of the 3rd Australian Employment Company.
The letter is part of a collection of correspondence donated to the Museum by Phillip Palmer. His mother, Miriam (Minni) Gilden, her parents Isaak Awigdor and Chana (Hanna) Gilden and her brother Louis, emigrated from Germany to Australia, arriving 16 December 1938. Minni, who was born 12 May 1923, was 16 at the time and her brother was 12. Most of the letters are dialogue between maternal family and friends, spanning 1937 through to the early years of WWII; however, there is one letter written to Madam Gilden (presumably Hanna Gilden) in 1947 pertaining to inquiries about her parent’s property in Poland.
Phillip’s parents, Minni and Fritz Palmbaum (who later became Fred Palmer), were married on 9 January 1944. Fred emigrated from Hildesheim in the North of Germany on 3 November 1938, via a sponsorship by NAJEX; he was 15 at the time. After a few years working with sheet metal at J. Goldstein & Co, he enlisted with the Australian Army in 1942 as a member of the 3rd Australian Employment Company.
Production date 1944-07-20 - 1944-07-20
Subjectfamilies, immigration, signs of life, WWII, settlements, kibbutz
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 162.00 mm
height: 204.00 mm
Language
- Hebrew From: Zwi, Pardess Hana
20/07/1944
My Dear Ones,
(Mimmi – big Shalom)
The promised detailed letter now follows and actually I want to respond right away to your letter. Dear Auntie, I am really sorry that I caused you so many worries all for nothing, by not writing; but you should know even if I don’t write sometimes for a lengthy period, I don’t have to be sick or suffered some sort of mishap. There is no excuse of course and I shall try writing more frequently. You are asking what I meant by being “wrapped up” with you. I have to tell you that I can’t remember the letter, it would perhaps been a figure of speech without a special meaning. As for the other questions, I will try to reply to all of them. Above all, I owe you an explanation about your critique on the briefing and the non-personal matter. You are correct but will understand that it won’t be that easy and I will try to explain it indirectly, although it will be hard for me. Look, what did you write to me personally about your own esteemed personality? To start with, you explained what work you are doing and how you like it. Then all of a sudden you write you got engaged, married and the wonderful honeymoon. And the next thing really personal you will write me will be something personal about you; this may well be when a baby is on the way (you will excuse me writing like this but that is how it is, correct?). When will you understand that with us, we miss out on the personal because I still haven’t got engaged or married (I have written about where I work or whether I like it on a regular basis). You surely know that I am a sort of closed up person on private matters. But one thing I can promise you for sure, that if I get married, I will of course let you know. But let us put aside this funny thing. As things stand, regarding the question always raised by you, that I still have no girl to wed, I am not intending to stay a bachelor. All other things in between I cannot write about
We shall have to accept this “distance between us” or do you know how we can avoid this? Have you got a way? Do reply, perhaps there may be a way. And now for another topic: I think I will have to lodge a document here in my registration of residence and my wellbeing as I believe Fred has requested. The matter is not all that simple. I do believe they have here some sort of reference and therefore “as planned” (?)” with sort of a blame as I have been writing about (?). I cannot really remember exactly how I wrote about this at the time but I only know (?) that I was dreaming something idealistic/optimistic. Therefore I will now fill in some negative aspects which are perhaps influenced by me personally. Take the two together and you will get a possible picture.
Above all you have to know that many people are confined here in a much too narrow spot. You can imagine what this means in a negative way. You will then see other people in all their different situations. People are sometimes in a bad mood and bad sometimes over trivialities. In private life outside, you don’t have to show this and sometimes you feel, looking back, quite well over this, you are more alone. In the Kibbutz this is difficult. Like it or not, you see it (and accept it) in others, and reveal it in yourself. It is more in some and less with others. Believe me, sometimes it is quite over the top. You are never quite alone, all everywhere someone will stick their nose in (it can be quite unintentional). I am now living together with other people for years (whom I cannot choose myself); sometimes up to 5 in one room. It is of course a temporary arrangement, and getting married you will get another room but even then the neighbours are too close (it is not a separate house) but another one closely connected: I would call it a lack of any possibility of independent living. You see and hear everything (obviously slightly exaggerated). This is of course very important in considering settlements of both sexes. You’ll have a rough idea what I mean. When it is difficult to be alone, it is much more difficult and more embarrassing. I am not saying that it is discussed right way or looked at (?), but observing and seeing the other is disturbing and does not bring them closer. On the other hand relations between the two sexes are more liberated (and in other Kibbutzim, in my opinion, too liberated- no flirting) and this can sometimes be disturbing. This, together with the former, you will understand, that sometimes there is simply no opportunity for a more intimate and deeper life. As they say there also exists an intimate personal life not between the two sexes but a life of your own is difficult. There is also a general opinion (?) classifying people sometimes too highly and sometimes too low. It’s like that outside too but in a closer community like that in a kibbutz (?) it can sometimes be more disturbing. And there is something else too. I would call it: The large dependence of people on the resolutions of the community. It’s the result of the daily work schedule and is influenced by your chosen profession up to practicing one of the favourite fields, even to any imminent marriage and having children. The (?) has to sometimes admit a lot and not restrict anything. I am saying: it can’t be otherwise and I accept it but I only want to show you that things are not too easy. And now something else especially important for a young guy: Everything is handled through committees. There is management committee which is the highest which arranges all economic matters and so on. Sometimes this could result in members who are not in the committee could lose any economic and community connections. This can sometimes devastate a young person. They look after him, he does not have to fight it out economically and as a result can become indifferent (I would say that every young person must have been outside at one time and by choice joined a Kibbutz).
There are of course some other sides to this but in large measure this is the most important. And I would like to say something else again: that the benevolence of the Kibbutz will depend of course on the benevolence of the people. There are good and bad Kibbutzim (e.g. The Kibbutz in which we are now, Ramath Hasharon, is not all that good, I would not be able to live in it). But Rodges (?) which is now the (?) Group, where we were in the youth group is a very good one; “Elderly members, more cultured” from overseas. Our group, which is another matter, is a problem for young people. I am now stating the main issue, that it is not correct in our movement to send a group of such young people (18 years old) on their own without a proper mix of the elderly (if possible families). We were still half-kids left to fend alone (as I have said already a “group” is very isolated). I want to stress that it is not on economic grounds but in societal issues (in the broader sense) and in cultural matters. I do not mean that we need a “leader” (I will here respond to your questions, Dear Mini); we are no longer in a youth club but imagine 50, 18 -19 year old boys and girls are now together. Yes this it quite romantic if it were a camp of 4 – 5 weeks and no more, but not a social community. How would such a community usually be set up?
(THIS SECTION IS LARGELY UNREADABLE – THE WRITER IS DISCUSSING AGE GROUPS AND IN VARIOUS KIBBUTZ)
By the way I am still not quite sure whether I shall stay in this group (on idealistic grounds); so for today enough about our group. If you have any more questions do ask, I would not want you to get anything wrong. Once again, the group remains the best non-replaceable instrument for settling the land; the best from a social (or socialistic) point of view I would say: the economic principle of communal distribution (that is communal operation of the economy is without doubt positive); the existence of today’s Kibbutz and its life has to be supported by a transformation and further development, more freedom (and space) for the individual and the family. This applies even to the issue of communal eating and children’s houses. As stated, this matter is in the process of development. There are Kibbutzim that want this and there are others that forcefully insist upon it as a communal and social principle. For the time being, on economic grounds we can’t consider this. By the way on economic grounds a young group is ideal, don’t you think? Everybody works, no children, etc. But this alone would not be enough.
On the question of acceptance procedure for new members, the normal procedure is usually as follows: almost everybody is accepted in is called a “guest”. After ½ - ¾ year, following a discussion in the general meeting he is accepted as an applicant and more time as member. What qualifications are necessary? This is difficult to answer. He can’t be a robber or murderer, but normally, an ordinary person is accepted. There are of course differences in the various movements. The large Kibbutz Hameuchad makes it easier; others more difficult. Therefore with us there are only 1/3 female members. It would of course be easier if the numbers were equal but it is as you have written, not many girls go on the land. On top of this, if you live on a kibbutz 1-2-3 years, and do not find a suitable partner, then he gets out. You get it, right? (At the beginning we were nearly equal numbers). With the boys the same applies but to a lesser extent, which would be the same age as the girl, however the boy has more time. This question is really a problem in the older Kibbutzim and not so easily dealt with. Our Kibbutz is leaning towards our religion. But about this there is much discussion, it isn’t simple. Leave it to next time. I have to tell you some girls from Berlin I can’t even think about them. Do write to me and I shall reply. Do also write if you find out something about acquaintances. We have not received a letter from Montevideo since I replied to them. If you will write send my regards. What do you hear from Bruno and his wife? Do write to me the address of (?) I wrote him but got no answer. By the way I also still write to Chicago to Popa’s brother and got a reply too. When did you send the last time a food parcel to the parents? I am quite sure that we resemble one another Dear Mimmi; I have seen it from the snaps you sent me. Many thanks for this. As to when we are going to settlement, we still don’t know. Dear Louis, you seem to be quite a nice guy. Every time you join in the writing you write that next time you will write more, but up to today I didn’t get anything. You probably have the same malady as I; I can sometimes overcome this (with some effort), you should try too. Although I know that at you age it is 1000 times more difficult. It is important that being aware of this
(SECTION MISSING HERE – SOME ISSUE WITH TRANSLATION)
Go and sit down and try to write to me in detail what you are doing now and your intentions. How you integrated in the society (in broadest context)?; with whom to you connect frequently (with Christians too?) Your different views etc. will reveal quite a lot. How did this Mr. Hitler do things and how did he deal with the Jews, his influence etc. Besides, can you remember in more detail my (?). I for that matter remember very clearly. Which books do you read well the 11 year war? Which books do you read (Belle (?) and science) and Hebrew? Which of these made the biggest impression? One read a great deal and makes an impression on the personality.
So this is enough for today. I have heard nothing from (?); there is no connection with Vilna. Only that there aren’t any more Jews there we have found out. A pity that he has not met up with the bomb (?), but does not matter, let the Germans themselves feel for a change the meaning of Himmler and the Gestapo. Let us hope the Russians will be fighting on German soil so that they themselves will see what war is all about (through an air bombardment). This is not simply a feeling of revenge (which would be natural), but not everything natural is OK, right? On the other hand this seems to be the only way to liberate the Germans for good, from the curse of dictatorship. But let’s leave it there - It is political. But only a pity there is of course no such expression; pity that in the meantime of course there is such a large spillage of human blood; and don’t let us forget Jewish blood. Time compels us to accept chauvinism. And now, Hallo, Hallo, Hitler has not found a final solution to the Jewish question. In Hungary there are still about ½ million Jews. And still in Rumania etc. The other half he succeeded to butcher. Sometimes it drives you crazy.
I nearly forgot to write to you. In the meantime I have been for four months in Tel Josef. This is a Kibbutz in the Emek, one of the oldest and largest in the country (Kibbutz Haneuchad). I will spend more time again in the cow shed. But at the moment I am not in this work and don’t know whether I will finish up in this branch. For a start I would prefer to develop myself spiritually but don’t know where to start. On top of this the work in the cow shed is very nice, I liked it a lot. But as said before it is not certain whether I shall stay in this group.
Now finally, enough. Did I satisfy you Mimmi? Did you receive the Aerogram?
Shalom, love Zwi.
German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Phillip Palmer