1Translation
(Written at the top right, likely added later as an address note in pencil/ink)
**Martin Ilkow**
**18489 Plainview**
**Detroit 19 Mich**
**Göteborg 18/XII 1947**
Dear Martin!
Your last letter was a pleasant surprise for me. I am glad that you have such a good job and that your boss is satisfied with you. You write that you make 3,200 crowns a month, but I cannot imagine what value that money has over there by you. I only know that 100 Kč is approximately 8 Swedish crowns. Well, let us leave money aside and speak of something else.
Dear Martinek, I know that your wounds are not yet healed in your loneliness. But think about how fate was just as cruel to many others, and to me as well. Unfortunately, nothing else can be done except to forget, even though that is very difficult.
Dear Martin, now I will write to you honestly: I never thought about remarriage, because there was no such person whom I would have married. You know how much my late Morris loved me and I loved him, and that I was a faithful wife to him. But I knew you just as long as my husband, and we were always good friends. So you know how it was between us. Thus, I would bring myself to be your faithful life companion. It would seem to me as if you were that Mojšu from the beginning, and perhaps you were destined for me.
It is true we are far apart, but it could be arranged so that we are together. It does not make much sense for you to remain in Czechoslovakia (Č.S.R.)—we Jews must think of the future.
Since you have relatives in America, you could also get over there. I could arrange for you to come here [to Sweden], and from here you will reach America sooner, if your relatives send an affidavit for you here to Sweden. What I am writing to you, am I not promising you anything?
1 / 2**Martin Ilkow**
**18489 Plainview**
**Detroit 19 Mich**
**Göteborg 18/XII 1947**
Dear Martin!
Your last letter was a pleasant surprise for me. I am glad that you have such a good job and that your boss is satisfied with you. You write that you make 3,200 crowns a month, but I cannot imagine what value that money has over there by you. I only know that 100 Kč is approximately 8 Swedish crowns. Well, let us leave money aside and speak of something else.
Dear Martinek, I know that your wounds are not yet healed in your loneliness. But think about how fate was just as cruel to many others, and to me as well. Unfortunately, nothing else can be done except to forget, even though that is very difficult.
Dear Martin, now I will write to you honestly: I never thought about remarriage, because there was no such person whom I would have married. You know how much my late Morris loved me and I loved him, and that I was a faithful wife to him. But I knew you just as long as my husband, and we were always good friends. So you know how it was between us. Thus, I would bring myself to be your faithful life companion. It would seem to me as if you were that Mojšu from the beginning, and perhaps you were destined for me.
It is true we are far apart, but it could be arranged so that we are together. It does not make much sense for you to remain in Czechoslovakia (Č.S.R.)—we Jews must think of the future.
Since you have relatives in America, you could also get over there. I could arrange for you to come here [to Sweden], and from here you will reach America sooner, if your relatives send an affidavit for you here to Sweden. What I am writing to you, am I not promising you anything?
2Translation
For the time being, I do not yet have a definite time for when I will go to the U.S.A. I think it will be around May, so you do not have to feel guilty that you are holding me up. And if you want me to help get you here, then I will get to work on it after Christmas.
Otherwise, I can travel to Czechoslovakia (Č.S.R.) to visit you, stay 2–3 months, and then return to Sweden.
I have the money for that. So now, Martinek, I have written to you honestly about my thoughts and plans, and now you write what you think about it. I will not be angry if you do not like it.
Do not tell anyone anything, keep everything to yourself, and I will keep it to myself. Even before this, I wanted to ask you if you need anything?I would like to send you a small package. Take it as a friendly favor.
Martinek, right now I just received your second letter—one yesterday on the 17th and the second today on the 18th. I answered your short letter, thanked you for the photo, and sent you mine. Write and let me know if you received it. What was wrong with your hand? I hope nothing serious.
Regarding reading about "Hanukkah" here—unfortunately, we know nothing [hear nothing of it]; we are among only Christians and we must observe their holidays!
Otherwise, I am doing well, thank God, healthy; it is true I am working a lot now before Christmas.
Now I am ending my writing with a warm greeting, and I await your reply. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Once again, greetings to you, your friend,
Lenka _(Laja / Lajenka)_
My sister greets you as well.
2 / 2Otherwise, I can travel to Czechoslovakia (Č.S.R.) to visit you, stay 2–3 months, and then return to Sweden.
I have the money for that. So now, Martinek, I have written to you honestly about my thoughts and plans, and now you write what you think about it. I will not be angry if you do not like it.
Do not tell anyone anything, keep everything to yourself, and I will keep it to myself. Even before this, I wanted to ask you if you need anything?I would like to send you a small package. Take it as a friendly favor.
Martinek, right now I just received your second letter—one yesterday on the 17th and the second today on the 18th. I answered your short letter, thanked you for the photo, and sent you mine. Write and let me know if you received it. What was wrong with your hand? I hope nothing serious.
Regarding reading about "Hanukkah" here—unfortunately, we know nothing [hear nothing of it]; we are among only Christians and we must observe their holidays!
Otherwise, I am doing well, thank God, healthy; it is true I am working a lot now before Christmas.
Now I am ending my writing with a warm greeting, and I await your reply. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Once again, greetings to you, your friend,
Lenka _(Laja / Lajenka)_
My sister greets you as well.
1 / 2