May 12th, 1951
Tel Aviv

Darling,

I have just bathed the children, fed them and put them to bed. Liki is still being a nuisance and I expect will want to come on the ‘sapa’ just to make sure I haven’t gone away.

I wanted to tell you that I had a letter from the Director of the School and he told me the following. That in August 42 my brother was working in the hotel at Annecy because he had no more money to pay for his schooling expenses. He himself had got this post for him because he felt that was the best way of getting practical experience. One day he got a visit from the Chief Rabbi of Paris who was residing in Annecy at the time, telling him that Oswald had been arrested that same day and he begged the Director to do all in his power to get him released. He then gave me a list of all the people he contacted but it was of no avail. Once the Germans arrested someone they did not let them go again. He said that since that time he had neither directly nor indirectly heard from Oswald and he asked me to keep him in touch with further developments. I think now that I shall ask him to give me the name of the Rabbi in question and it is possible that he has information as to what happened at the camp where he was sent to. Should this Rabbi still be in Paris and you should go there again, I shall keep you informed and maybe you can go and see him.

I went last night to the Luss’s to hand over the present and they were already entertaining in grand style. Wonderful cakes and wonderful drinks, but I remembered my kidneys and did not participate. Today I had no time to go to the synagogue but went to the reception for a few minutes. I must say everything was in abundance – at the Atom Bar – and Mrs Luss looked very very distinguee. Also the night before she was dressed most beautifully. All sorts of important persons were there, from the Food Control and I don’t know what, and he had a big table for his staff too. All in all I must say that Freddy was absolutely up to scratch and I expect it was a great success. You should have seen the presents. All sorts of expensive things and from his father he got a pick up which would have made your mouth water. Your mother wanted to know all the details because she is already thinking of Hashmo’s Barmitzva which Matty wants to celebrate here next year. Are you going to Milano again or don’t you know yet?

I told you in my last letter about the air force chappy who crashed whilst performing on Independence Day. Now the full story is out. He was summersaulting down and on the last spin he came too low, his wheels touched the water and the plane wouldn’t climb again. Someone jumped in and cut him loose and naval craft picked up everybody concerned. But the poor pilot, a Mahal chap, died afterwards. I think it is very sad, don’t you? There was another accident on the Yarkon River where a motor boat full of women and children caught fire, but since they all jumped into the water, nobody was seriously hurt.

Today is the third day of Khamsin and I feel awfully tired. But luckily, Boss darling, there haven’t been any more pains and I am having the analysis made this week to see what is happening. Cucumbers and tomatoes are getting more plentiful now and I am getting a better appetite – because things go down that way.

Mordi managed to get me some more salt. With two bottles in hand I feel quite rich and I am using it more liberally.

I told you in my last letter that I had a card from Emely but omitted giving you details. She said among other things that you looked quite ‘prosperous’ but otherwise unchanged and that as a husband you had paid me a very nice compliment in saying that I had changed for the better. So I have written proof now that you don’t go about saying what a terrible woman you are married to. She also said that the children look adorable and so much like their mama. Does that mean that their Mama also looks adorable?

I haven’t paid old man Simon the cash yet because cash hasn’t been available yet. But I have not forgotten. Also I haven’t been to the Consulate yet because Rebecca is still away. However I asked your mother to look after the children one day this week so that I can make this visit. I don’t want to put if off any longer.

The woman from the Consulate opposite is very funny. Now she has fixed a reading lamp so that it shines down the side of the house and I believe she throws food down there for the cats and has it illuminated for them. There lives another woman opposite her in the hotel who is also cat-mad and between the two of them it is really quite funny.

Otherwise there is absolutely no news except that I take the children quite regularly down to the beach and get myself tired out in the process. Well I am LONGING for your news. Hope something will arrive this week. All love and hugs and kisses from yours ever,

Bossy.