Malmesbury, 30 June, 1903

To my dear wife, Taube Kretzmar, and to my dear sons David and Noah, and my daughters Leah and Freda, may they all grow up in wealth and comfort.

My dear wife, I have received your letter of the 15 May and was glad to read that TG you are all well and that we can expect good news. On my side, I can tell you that TG I am well and in good spirits. May this letter find you in the same condition. Further, were you right that you need a dress for a wedding, I am sure that you have made it and I wish you to wear it in good health and pleasure. Further, may God grant that we should be reunited and you should take whatever clothes you need and pay cash. In the meantime, I thank God for everything and I hope that the future will be even better.

At the moment, I have no news to write to you. The sales this month were quiet, and when with God’s help sales will improve, then we will discuss things and see what to do. One must be patient and wait for the help of God. I have no desire to go to Russia as I know the kind of business in Russia for small capitalists. And when I have the means to bring you to Africa – I have not the desire to do so, but I suppose it won’t depend on what I desire, it will all depend if I can make a living for the family, because everything is expensive… but with God’s help, we will consider it and, if possible, we will do it. It will depend on God’s will and in the hope that God in His mercy will provide the necessary means… so that we will not be separated so long. I greet you and kiss you, from me, your ever faithful husband, Tuvye Kretzmar

I cordially greet my dear parents, my father Yehuda Leib Kretzmar, and my chaste and modest mother, Beile, and also my dear brothers and sisters. Keep well all of you.

My dear parents: please write how is business. Why are you so economical in writing about the business? Have you still got the farm? Is everything still going well? And how is my brother Eliayu Zalman? Moishe has written and I have replied to him. Please let him write because I want to know how he is getting on. It doesn’t hurt if one talks of general news. It is said in the world – ‘if you ask, you don’t go astray’. Further about myself, I don’t know what to write. Business is very quiet. I hope it will soon improve and then I’ll see if I can bring over the family here. I can’t say it for sure, but it seems that I depend on God’s help and He will do whatever is best. Keep well and happy, as is the wish of your son and brother, Tuvye Kretzmar

I cordially greet my mother-in-law, the chaste and modest Neche, and also my scholarly brother, Moishe Schochet, and his wife, my sister Sarah, and their children, and my sister-in-law, Chana Reza. My dear friends, I greet you all cordially and I wish you luck, from your son-in-law, brother-in-law, and brother, Tuvye Kretzmar