ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 114754 - Translation - Russian - Lithuania - Kaunas - Minsky


	The Genealogical Research Division of

About Mission Our Team Get Involved Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself! Research Search All Records Country & Topical Databases Holocaust Database Burial Registry (JOWBR) Cemetery Discovery Project Memorial & Plaques Database Shul Records America Family Trees (FTJP) Sephardic Text Search 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 Blog Town Finder (Communities Database) Yizkor Books KehilaLinks Regional/Topical Research Divisions JewishGen Press Publications 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. Learn Online Classes Search Methodologies & Research Advice Student Program in Poland Study & Service Tour of Poland Peter and Mary Kalikow Center 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 Family Finder Discussion Group Jewish Genealogy Portal ViewMate Success Stories Yahrzeit reminders 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. Donate General Support Specific Projects Planned Giving Wall of Honor 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!

Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Russian
Approval Date: 6/24/2026 4:40 PM
Family Surname: Minsky
Country: Lithuania
Town: Kaunas
Date of Image: 1940

Click the picture to enlarge

Translation into English

Response

6/28/2026 4:40 PM

========================
Right column (Beginning of letter).
Kaunas, December 12 (1939?)

My dears! Today I really need to write you a letter. We had guests last night. There were 12 of our best people, and I didn't even invite everyone because I was afraid there wouldn't be room at the table. It was very nice. The dinner was a success and there was a lot of noise. I'm enclosing greetings from everyone. Verochka and Levineni brought me oranges (they're very beautiful). From Mom, as usual, we received Hanukkah gelt for 50 litas (a lita is the Lithuanian currency, approximately 6 litas = 1 dollar). I've already sold them to you, bought a tea tablecloth and six napkins, very light yellow and white, like silk. I think they're beautiful. These days, things like that are hard to find here and cost much more. I wish you had the opportunity to use all the ________________________________________
Left Column (Letter Continued) stairs.

The Jewish apartments are incredibly dirty and reek of poverty. (I went to some of them to send my regards.) The Dulyatskys were very hospitable. Dulyatsky has already visited us twice. Now he's planning to come again, and his daughter too. Nateyla has already written about everything. This week, the dental course starts again here. I've also signed up. This time, it's more interesting and necessary for me than ceramics—namely, dental treatment. Then there's training to become a dental technician. But all this costs a lot of money. More than 300 litas. But I figured that going abroad to study costs even more, while working well is always good and good anywhere. Shlema, my dears, be healthy. Kisses and kisses. Yours, Rivka. ________________________________________

Note. It was the beginning of World War II (Germany invaded Poland in September 1939). Trade relations were disrupted, and refugees flooded into Kaunas (including Jewish refugees from German-occupied Poland). Hence the author's remarks about the "unbearable filth and poverty" in apartments, as well as his argument that studying abroad was now too expensive.

ViewMate Posting VM 114754

Submitted by Tessa Rajak

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 114754

Submitted by Tessa Rajak