Dear Malka,
One of Mama’s ragged letters arrived today and we were so happy to hear from her after all these months. It was a short letter, and Papa read a few lines aloud to me because Mama began in such a surprising way—saying she missed me! I realize now how much I took all of Esther’s work for granted, how hard I was on her.
Then Mama told Papa that if the money he sent for living expenses had arrived just a day later, you all would have had to go begging in the streets. Thank God it came when it did.
I know now why Papa doesn’t let me read Mama’s letters, because most of the news is not good, and now I’ve learned you’ve been going hungry. After fasting with Papa, I know a little about how that emptiness in the pit of the stomach feels. It hurts to think of you, my dear little sister, and my family suffering in this way, not just one day but many days. And my heart broke at the news that Mama had to sell her silver candlesticks to buy food. They were her most precious wedding gift. Those were the candlesticks she used each week to light the Shabbos candles.
When Papa was finished, he handed me the letter, and as I held it in my hands, I suddenly noticed that on the edge of the paper, hidden under Mama’s signature, there was a note from you, Malka! Just a few words, but they gleamed like a thousand pieces of gold—“I love you, big sister, and send you a hug across the ocean. I hope you can feel it.”
“Look, Papa!” I said. “From Malka!”
You should have seen the look of joy on Papa’s face. And he said to me, “Hold on to this letter, dear Esther, so you will keep your sister close.”
Yes, Malka, I do feel your hug and send you a hug back.
Always,
ESTHER