Object numberM2001/001:117
DescriptionLetter from Jack Rhone in Bristow, Okla. to Jasza and Fecia in Vilna; letterhead reads 'Grand Leader/Distinctive Styles for Discriminating Women/Bristow, Okla.' In the letter dated 3 February 1940, he writes how news from family was received five months after the postage date, that he is sending money because he is earning well but is concerned that it will be confiscated. He writes about trying to obtain visas for family to help them leave and "with Gods help I will be able to get them out of this hell". Handwritten in green ink.
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 placeBristow, Oklahoma
Production date 1940
SubjectHolocaust, communications, loved ones' contact, migration
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- height: 282.00
width: 207.00
Language
- Polish MO1/01.117
My address:
Mr. Jack Rhone
408W.5th St.
Bristow, OKLa
US
3rd February 1940
Dear Jasza & Fecia,
I am very distressed about occurring situation in Europe, judging from letters the entire family has spilled across the world and are in a terrible situation which can not be described. It is good that you were able to go to Litva because in Germany the situation is terrible for our people. From Adri, Elry and Mietek I received a postcard from Lodz, which was sent to me on the 19th of December 1939 but I received it on the 26th January 1940 so the news arrived after a five month delay period. I sent to them through London $200 but I am not sure whether they received it.
In their postcard they only write that they are health and well, other than this I don’t have any other news to write to you. If you can get in touch with them I would be very grateful to you. I would like to know what is happening and how they are managing to live. If I send them money, will it not be taken away from them? I would be able to send them money regularly every month as I am earning well, but I am concerned that the money will be confiscated from them. They don’t write to me and I gather that they are unable or maybe they are afraid to write.
Every detail interests me so I am asking that you write to me about everything. I am trying to get for them a visa and permission for them to leave. Find out if there is an American Consulate in Poland. All the papers (documents) are ready and are in the American Consulate in Warsaw. As you know they were on the list to emigrate in May 1939 but were waiting for a visa when this bad luck started. (he refers to the beginning of the war). Now I am trying to obtain special permission for them to leave and with God’s help I will be able to get them out of this hell.
With respect to information regarding attempting to come to America (i.e. getting family to come to America) the scenario is the following: Because of my contacts and position they might be able to obtain visas but I don’t know how many and if for our family, whether it would be possible to get them for cousins. The priority is to obtain the visas for my parents, my sisters and brothers. As to the cousins I don’t know as I have not made enquiries. These (presently) are difficult times and difficult conditions because of what is going on presently in Europe, all the Americans have thrown themselves (working towards) at obtaining visas for their relatives. As a result a new rule (decree) was issued that visas will be issued only to close family. Please write to me if you have enough money to pay for your travel costs and what documents you possess, also if Latvia (Litva) permits emigration and from which port they are leaving. Italian ships arrive to America but not Russian or other ships. American ships don’t travel to Europe.
I need to have accurate information, I can’t definitely promise that I will be able to fix something (i.e. obtain visas) but I can try. Of course the first three visas are earmarked for Adri, Elry and Mietek. Please understand me as I am being honest with you.
In the next letter I will send you closer (more relevant) information. I am doing extremely well. I never dreamt that I would settle and do so well. My conditions are as good as they were in the old times when I was living in Lodz, 2500.00 sloty – do you understand that this is great. Don’t worry about me. If I will be able to bring my family over (from Europe) I will be very fortunate.
I am sending kisses and best wishes and living in hope that things will be better and all our beloved ones will be alive. I am expecting a reply. Jack
P.S. Please find something out about my family.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr Peter Sapir