Malmesbury, 14 June, 1902

To my dearest wife, Taube Kretzmar, be well, and to my dear children, sons David and Noah, and daughters, Leah and Freda, zollen lebben and to grow up in wealth and pleasure, amen.

Dearest wife, I have safely received your letter of 26 April and I thank God for His mercy. Usually, one comforts oneself with hope, but the present comes and it is quite different, but alas, often the hope turns out to be impossible and a man becomes weak hoping and keeping faith and then God shows his strength and power and that He can do anything and He proves that He can change everything in a twinkling of an eye, that no one could have thought or understood. And in this decision one finds more strength to hope and to have faith in God. As He has always conducted and will continue to conduct everything to its right goal – so that we can be worthy to raise our children in wealth and pleasure, and conduct ourselves in a Jewish way of life, amen.

I have not yet received a letter from you for some time since I received your letter after Pesach, which you have written Chol Hamoed, and since then I have had no letter although I have written several letters. And I have included several photographs, which you have not yet received. I had a feeling in my heart that there was something the matter with the children. Thank the Lord that He has never ceased His mercies and there is a hope that in future He will also watch over us and support us and will provide everything that is necessary because He is a merciful and good God. ‘Rachum veganum’ and He is good to everybody who depends on Him.

About business, I can write to you that from Pesach to Shavuout it was poor because goods were very cheap, so one did not make a profit, but at present it is better. Hoping that the Lord will provide and will recompense for the previous poor times. I hope to send money out, as much as possible – so don’t be depressed, with God’s help, everything will come right and we will relate all our sufferings and pleasures, but we must hope and trust in the Lord that He will put everything in order.

Further, I have no news to tell you. Write me what happened with your house – are you living with my father, or are you living in Maarske’s house as you have written to me. Write me a reply soon. I’m awaiting your letter with impatience. Please write if you have received my letters from Chol Hamoed Pesach and the photographs, and write me soon a reply about everything. Be well and happy and live in comfort, as is the wish of your ever loving husband, Tuvye Kretzmar

I greet cordially my dear parents, my worthy and honoured father, Yehuda Leib, and my chaste and modest mother, Beile, and my scholarly brother, Yaacov Kretzmar, and my sisters, Hinda and Chana. I thank the Lord for His mercy that He heals the sick, and thank you for all your troubles which you have exerted on my behalf…and don’t think that all your troubles on behalf of my wife and children is for nothing. I hope that the Lord will answer my prayer and I will repay you for all your trouble. From me, your son, Tuvye Kretzmar

I greet cordially my dear brother-in-law and his wife, my sister Sarah, and family, zollen leben, as also my dear mother-in-law and brother-in-law, Aaron Morris, and sister-in-law, Chana Reza – be well and may God grant that you should not experience any sickness and be always well and happy. May God grant good business so that I may be able to repay you for all your troubles. We all have faith in the same God and He will surely fulfill our wish, amen.As is the wish and hope of your son-in-law, brother-in-law, and brother, Tuvye Kretzmar