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Today we see one of the first letters Helene wrote from Vienna after her children had left for America. At this point, Eva and Harry had been in San Francisco for about six weeks. 18-year old Eva was living with Helene’s cousin Bertha and her husband George Schiller; 15-year old Harry was with Helene’s cousin’s daughter Hilda and her husband Nathan Firestone. On the front page, she writes in German to her children, and on the back in English to the Firestones. Because the Schillers and Firestones did not live in the same neighborhood, Eva and Harry attended different high schools.
Vienna, Dec 1, 1939
My dear children, I am going to ignore the fact that I haven’t gotten any letters and I am going to write anyway, hoping that one letter or the other will reach its intended goal. The most important thing this week: Beppo wrote that we should not think that he is just sitting there with his hands in his lap. He’s doing everything he can and is asking just that we have a little bit of patience. Fortune’s brother is not allowed to work at all. As soon as I know more details, I will let you know. You know Vitali only by name, right? There’s nothing new here. Except for Jo and Paula, I don’t really see anybody because of the ... blackouts. We spend the evening writing or playing Tric-Trac. In our thoughts we are always with you, every minute. What time is it in America, and we are imagining: “I wonder what the kids are doing now.” We would love to know how you’re doing and if you have gotten used to it and how you spend your time. Eventually the post will come and we will no longer have this insecurity. Unfortunately, I cannot write anything more right now. Otherwise, the letter will be too heavy.
Greetings and kisses to all the dear ones from us.
Many many kisses
Mutti
Vienna, Dec 1, 1939
Dear Hilda and dear Nathan,
Nearly 5 weeks Harry is in your home and I hope you will not have much trouble with him. In my thoughts I am in your circle, I listen to your talks, doing my works mechanical and counting the days which we are obliged to be here. With all my heart I wish to know how you are and I hope the children will bring life in your house, but perhaps it is that which you don’t want, perhaps you are wanting silence. Please in this case excuse them. Youth is aloud and vivid, but they are intelligent enough to respect your customs and will surely being endeavored not to disturb you so much. Excuse my bad English. It is very difficult for me to concentrate and to express my thoughts in a language which I can use no practice.
Please give my best greetings and wishes to all our relatives.
In love and gratitude I am
yours truly
Helen
This is one of the few letters from 1939-1941 that Helene wrote by hand. Soon she would begin typing her letters, in the hope that they would be more legible for the censors and therefore might make it to their destination. She signs her letter “Mutti” (“Mom”). In most future letters to her children, she signs her name. I think Helene’s question about knowing Vitali by name is to let Eva and Harry know how hard he is working to get them to America – how “vitally” he is working on their behalf.
In the letter to Hilda on the back, Helene acknowledges that her English isn’t great, attributing it to the stressful situation and lack of practice. By the time she wrote from Istanbul in 1946, she was far more fluent. As I wrote in an early post, I believe that she worked on improving her English while at Ravensbrück.