April 9th, 1951
Tel Aviv

Dearest Darling,

I enclosed a small note in your father’s letter yesterday, saying that I had received your two letters from Morocco. I must say they were very newsy letters and I was particularly glad that you managed to find my brother’s things. I shall write the Schmidts about it as they will be most glad to hear that they are once again in safe hands. Perhaps she told you that she took these things personally to Th.

I believe your father is finding it rather difficult to be on very good terms with Wler. He has most likely written to you about it and I have the feeling that he would feel happier if you could interrupt your travels and talk things over. Needless to say that I, too, would be glad to have you home for a little while. However I am not being too optimistic as the disappointment will be all the greater if things don’t turn out as we want.

If you come, I shall be happier too on account of the house as, between Baby and Simon, we should be able to find out what is what. The trouble is that not knowing anything about these matters, I don’t always know what questions to ask Simon or to know whether his answer is to the point or not. As you were there you are in a better position to judge. What I don’t understand is that the mortgage of the house is still being discussed in terms of the old sum, and I am wondering if the devaluation does not affect the whole transaction. S. says it is only nominal, but how then does one arrive at the final settling? And if the chap returns the house to me, as is the case, why then must I pay him anything? As for the nine-tenth of the mortgage being cancelled if I can prove to have been a member of the UN in 1945 and 48, I told you already that according to Baby’s colleague, I will be better off as an Israeli, whereas S. says I have privileges only as a Britisher. I believe I have written you about all this several times, to London too, but as I don’t know whether you will receive these letters, I have repeated all these things here and do hope I shall have your opinion in the very near future, better still if this can be done personally.

I am sitting on the roof and the children are very happy playing. This is a wonderful idea, don’t you think? We are all of us happy. We don’t have to spend hours dressing up and I can relax. I got the children their shoes yesterday. They have got marvellous supports. As the whole delivery of shoes in the shop amounted to 16 pairs for the spring, they said they could not make use of our deposit but it will remain in our name and I shall be able to get slippers and the like with it. By what I can see coupons are going out of vogue, and the shopkeepers are keener on getting more money. I feel this is very regrettable as the whole machinery of rationing goes overboard that way. Once this slackness sets in, it will be difficult to reintroduce a good working method. I would much rather pay less but that way I fear the children will remain without shoes.

I had a letter from Neve Mahal. There is going to be a meeting on the 12th for the purpose of electing a chairman and Secretary and to discuss business. There was a whole list of rules for the Association. I am not sure, but I believe that Mordi is thinking of attending the meeting.

I had a letter yesterday from Gaby. I had sent her a list of things I wanted you to get for the children. Mostly winter things. She offered to get all for me, but I feel you should either give her the money first or we wait till you are back in London and you two can go together. I did send my measurements to London but shall send them again in this letter. Ruth measured me but I lost the slip of paper and shall have to do it myself, though it is possible that you got my letter meanwhile. I think it is more useful to have things for the winter than for the summer. I was sorry that utility things are unobtainable as the other cost an awful lot of money.

PLEASE don’t forget the teddybear for Liki as she is talking about it night and day and the disappointment would be something awful.

In case you have not received my previous letter I want to tell you again that the woman has started work now. She comes twice a week the whole day and sleeps in too, and judging by what she did on the first day, she works very well indeed and is also most pleasant to speak to. She went to school with your auntie Lisa.

How is Paris? Have you had a little more time now to see a few shows or cinemas? The Gan Rina has opened again with a most terrible film. The screams and the shooting are something awful and the first night the children were quite terrified and it is impossible to sleep.

I think you will find the Baby has grown quite a bit taller and he repeats practically everything. He is a very friendly little chap and liked by all.

Well, this is all for today. My love and let’s hope we will be seeing each other very soon.

Hugs and kisses from Bossy.

*These measurements I took according to instructions in Vogue’s Dressmaking book. Bust 38, waist 32, hip 39, sleeve-length underarm 18, dress length 28-29. Order dresses, blouses and coats by bust measurement, skirts or slacks by waist measurement.

Did you get the rest of the photos?

 

* last 2 paragraphs added in ink at the end.