ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 114303 - Translation - Russian - Ukraine - Odessa


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Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Russian
Approval Date: 4/26/2026 7:08 PM
Family Surname: Blank
Country: Ukraine
Town: Odessa

Click the picture to enlarge

Like many others most of my family correspondance has been lost after the war. This 4 page letter is one of the very few surviving documents we have. We only have the first half of the first page.
I can read the name of my great-grand father (Aizik) but not much else as I cannot read cursive Russian.

Any help with a translation would be greatly appreciated.

Response

4/30/2026 7:21 AM

"Dear daughter, I received a summons from Torgsin.
(Torgsin (All-Union Association for Trade with Foreigners) existed in the USSR from 1930 to 1936. If the author received a summons (or notification) from Torgsin, it could mean she received a money transfer from abroad.)
I don't know what to think, why (why) I don't have a letter from you. I'm surprised why (why) I have a receipt, but no letter. Rivechka (Rivka), why, when I receive a letter from you, don't you write on behalf of the children (about the children). Dear Rivechka, you're doing to me what Khoskel did to the letter (?), I have a letter, your letter. Dear ones, why should I send money? Because I've gotten used to suffering, although what are you doing? How God doesn't take us into account and doesn't take us into account either. Write to me about Georges (what he's doing). Write to me why they're not hiring Azik, that's what I was told.

"Imagine how upset I am when Azik isn't working and Georges isn't working either. It must be really hard for you, I don't know what to do with you. If only I had wings, I'd fly to you and see what you're doing. I pray to God day and night for you, that I would ask for at least half of what you ask for, that would be good. Why did God do this to me, that I would have been with you first, then with them, Rivechka? I wouldn't have enough paper and ink to write to you so much. To everyone, everyone. H.L.i.h.t.

Marginal text (left): "But it's also my good fortune that they make me laugh."

/s/

ViewMate Posting VM 114303

Submitted by Jean Bonbeurre

Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself!

Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information!

Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today.

Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences.

Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community.

The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

ViewMate Posting VM 114303

Submitted by Jean Bonbeurre