May 20th, 1951
Tel Aviv

Dearest Boss,

I am looking forward to your next letter. Hope it will arrive very soon as I am feeling awfully lonely and it would be like talking to you. Rebecca still hasn’t come and I can’t get out at all, and the lack of change makes me a bit short-tempered with the kids. Or maybe it’s all due to the awful khamsins. There seems to be no end to them. This morning I delivered the usual at Nachtigall’s and I can go and collect the results tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. I do so hope that things are improving.

Yesterday Alex came to see me. I hear that Muriel has had a boy, John Christopher, and that Derrick’s wife has added a little Jacqueline to the family. Anyhow it’s fair distribution. He also told me that uncle is leaving the office as he finds it terribly difficult to make the journey to and from town. It’s about time, too. If you go to London you had better see the family this time, otherwise I will never hear the end of it. And don’t forget to give them the presents, including the Henschels and if you have time, Hazel and family.

There is nothing much to report from here. Remez has died and there is a big funeral today. He was ill for two days and was taken to hospital. I wonder who will take his place. Ben Gurion is still having the time of his life in America. I wonder whether you see all the photos we get here. Banners and processions of cars and big crowds and what not. Wonder what the reaction is here among the Gentiles. Would be quite interesting to know. There hasn’t been any more news about the plot to sabotage the Knesset and the Religious people say they have nothing to do with it. But they did definitely discover an underground religious group and they think that these people are also responsible for the burning of cars. One would think that people had more sense.

I phoned the Rosswalds and told them that the photos had come, in case they want to see them. He is just off on his holiday and she said she would come round one afternoon or evening.

Darling there is really nothing to tell. I haven’t been doing anything worth mentioning. In the evenings I have gone to sleep early because the khamsins were bad and I thought I should be kind to my kidneys. And as you know the children take up all my time. Your father is all right I think but I wish he would take it easier when the weather is bad. He can’t sit still. But I must say once or twice he came home and slept the whole afternoon and felt all the better for it. I told him that I had read about a conference of scientists in the newspaper and that one professor had said that houses built with local cement would not last longer than about 20 years. He got awfully worried because our house is made of local cement, and I wish I hadn’t said anything. But then there is a big difference in the stuff used when he built and what they use now.

Mordi has just gone to see the Bulgarian. The shop has arrived. He and your mother spent all of Friday afternoon cleaning the court – front and back. I am glad that your mother has found a good woman now to do the washing. She is here today, and she will also do the stairs and the yard in future.

Your people haven’t given me the money yet to pay Simon. If you are coming back soon I shall leave it altogether, but you had better let me know what to do about it.

You said you wanted to know my sizes. For dresses 42 and shoes are 6. But I shouldn’t worry too much darling. If you get anything, get it for the winter. The present coupons are not going to be invalid and in September 10 more are going to be released. As someone wrote in the paper, how are parents expected to dress their children when the summer coupons are not to be released till the autumn? Quite a problem.

I haven’t had letters from anybody though I have answered most of my correspondence. Whilst you are in Paris maybe could find out whether the Chief Rabbi is still the same one as was in Annecy in 42 and if so, maybe you could go and see him and ask about my brother. Have you been yet in Amsterdam, and if so, have you seen Mr Bergenthal?

The children are not in the mood to let me continue with this letter and I shall see whether I can go and post it now. Sorry it’s such a measly one.

Our love and hoping to have you back soon,

Bossy.