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Tag Archives: Passover

April 7, 1935 “Talking about the weather -Today it is snowing pretty much while yesterday it was beautiful sunshine.”

April  7, 1935   “Talking about the weather -Today it is snowing pretty much while yesterday it was beautiful sunshine.”

April 7, 1935
671 N. Dearborn St.

My Dearest Dear Ones:

Madison Park Hotel

Madison Park Hotel

Since I forgot my fountain pen and do not see any ink here, I will write this with the silver pencil from Doddo [Trudel’s oldest sister].  It is Sunday afternoon and I am sitting here in the Madison Park Hotel waiting for Leonard.  And you want to know what is new here. 

Last night we saw a very good movie:  “Enter Madame.”  By the way, they are always showing pictures of Germany during the news in the movies and in the papers.  Last week they showed the “Bockenheimer Warte.”  2 weeks ago there was a picture electronically transmitted, and I immediately said it was printed backwards, because the swastika on Hitler’s shirt sleeve was reversed.  Of course I was right.  A few days later the same picture in another paper was correct.

Enter Madam

Enter Madam

Last Friday at Samuels I read the FFM edition of the “Hamburger Family News” and discovered several new news items.  For instance that Liebermann and old Hauck have died.  I felt really stupid that I did not know about it.  You know things like that are still interesting to me, so I do not look too stupid in some company.  In that paper I also read something about an orchestra conductor named Wolff.  Is he the young man from “Amizitia” living on Eschersheimer Landstrasse?  
Bockenheimer Tower

Backenheimer Tower

I am very happy in my new job.  Several of the girls worked also for Budwig (my first job here).  I altered a hat for mother Samuel and she liked it very much.  The 2 piece dress I crocheted for Gwen is finally finished and delivered on Wednesday.  It looks so nice that I am considering making one for myself.

What would you expect if the menu said: “German Pot Roast”?  I was until now always afraid to order it.  Now I know what it is actually, and I like it.*

Yesterday I saw something really funny.  I was in a grocery store to buy “Lux” soap flakes.  There was a young girl, about 15 or 16 years old, in a spring sport coat (it was almost summer weather), no hat, on roller skates, cigarette in her beak, and a fox terrier on a leash.  She was shopping too.  I really had to laugh.

Lux Ad

Lux Soap Ad (1935)

Talking about the weather,   Since I had nothing better to do, I tried on my whole summer wardrobe and gave Mrs. Saunders a fashion show while she washed a few things for me.  Then I took 6 pieces of my wardrobe to the cleaners.

Some clothes are really jinxed.  I am sure the first time I will wear my green dress after I get it back from cleaning, I will spill something on it.  This happens every time.  4 times in a row. 

Thursday was such beautiful weather I did not feel like staying home.  I walked downtown and after dinner Leonard and I went to a movie again, a very thrilling romance, “Bordertown”.  Afterwards, I walked leisurely home again. 

Click image for YouTube

On Tuesday I was already in bed at 7:30 pm but crocheted until about 10:00 pm.  It does not hurt to go to bed early once in a while. 

Friday night I dreamed that Ernale [Trudel’s other sister] had a beautiful ring made from Mother’s diamond and pearl brooch.  The pretty little gold ring from Aunt Frieda I thought I had lost 2 weeks ago — I found it luckily a week later.   I am not wearing it all the time now.  Apparently my fingers have gotten thinner and I do not want to lose it for good. 

By the time you receive this letter it will be Passover already.  Anyway I will eat in a kosher restaurant downtown and try to get some invitations at Samuels.  The other Jewish people I know here do not know much about Judaism.  Hopefully they will not have to learn it some days, what and who they are.

How are Hedwig and children? And all other friends?  Please give everybody my very best regards.

I am sending you herewith the photo I forgot to enclose last time.

Love, Greetings, and Kisses for you,
Your loving daughter & sister

Trudel

PS We just met Hans Werthan at the restaurant.  He sat with us for a few minutes and took again my address and phone number which he had lost.  He sends you best regards.


Here is one recipe for German Pot Roast

 

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April 18, 1935 – “We did not laugh as much as last night in a long time.”

April 18, 1935  –  “We did not laugh as much as last night in a long time.”

4/18/35

My Sweet Goldchildren,

After a delicious yonteff* dinner we just landed in Leonard’s office with big filled stomachs. We feel too heavy to go home right away. And how do the matzos taste to you this year?

Trudel’s First Passover in America

Last evening, first seder, we ate at the same kosher restaurant as tonight. The difference was the fact that we participated in a seder last night and today only dinner. We did not laugh as much as last night in a long time. They had one large table and several small ones. Of course we sat at a small one. Since the service took so long and we were very hungry, we emptied our goblets with very good red wine every time. You can imagine the result! The seder was very good, but not many melodies like at home, only a very few.

County Chairman

The County Chairman

The dinner was excellent both evenings. Of course the matzo ball soup was not so [good] that Lu could claim he could not eat anything else after 2 bowls full. They did not serve sour/sweet carp either. But very delicious almond torte and macaroons.

Tonight, Thursday night, it went very fast and was finished including dinner at 9:30 pm. We both were in such a good mood with our tummies full that we did not feel like going home. So we went to a movie. Very funny, just right for the mood we were in: “The County Chairman.”

On Tuesday night we were in a movie too. Very serious and good: “David Copperfield.”

David Copperfield

David Copperfield

And before I forget, I want to tell you the funniest thing that happened to me this week. Sunday as usual Flora Mae had dinner with us and Leonard took her home. We did not feel like going on that long bus trip home so we went to see an excellent film, “Clive of India” right there in Hyde Park. They have a new game there and I won a free pass. Unfortunately it is only good on weekdays. I gave it to Aunt Henny when I was there on Monday night and I expect we will use it frequently.

Clive-of-India

Clive of India

Saturday I ate at Weil’s and Leonard joined us later. It was nice as usual. I had brought along my photo album and they enjoyed looking at old friends and relatives. Friday night I was again at Samuels. Clem’s fiancé is now one or two days in New York. Did he ever visit you? Neither he or you wrote anything about that.

I do not know what is wrong with me tonight, that I tell everything backwards.

Sears Spring Ad 1935

Spring Fashions

And now something very new. Especially for myself: a navy blue spring coat for $16, navy blue shoes $3.69, purse and 6 pair of hose, also a light blue blouse for my blue suit. One never knows how the weather may be Easter Sunday. If it is like last Sunday I need only my blue suit. But if it is like last Monday I need also the coat over the suit, besides galoshes, raincoat, umbrella and maybe warm underwear. In any case I will be prepared.

SportcoatsFall1935

Sports Coats on Sale

When I turn around in my chair now, I see what you can see on the enclosed snapshot. That photo was taken after a week in the new office. Now there are so many books and papers on the desk that you cannot see the desktop. In a few minutes he will have it cleared and we shall go home. I do not feel like going alone.

This week we were not very busy at work so I even worked short hours. That of course is the result of that crazy weather. Hopefully it will be nice on Sunday. Then we will get busy again.

LJG at (temporarily cleared) Desk

I suppose that finishes my report for today. I hope the matzos agreed well with you. I bought a box for myself. For breakfast during Passover, I have been eating 2 matzos, 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 cup of coffee. The ham or bacon, what usually comes with the breakfast, I cut out this week.

I am writing you tonight since I want to make a hat for myself in my lunchtime tomorrow.

I am your loving

Trudel


  • “Yonteff” is a Yiddish variant of Yom Tov — Hebrew for holiday. Literally “Good Day.”
  • “Leonard,” sometimes referred to as “Len” or LJG would become my father.
  • Flora Mae was LGJ’s 6 year old daughter by a previous marriage. My half-sister.

 

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