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Category Archives: Judaism

March 8, 1935 – I was very very grateful when they delivered me safe and sound at my door.

3/8/1935
671 N. Dearborn
My Dear Dear-ones, golden goldchildren, dirty bums, sweet sugar cookies, and lazy no-writers! Each one of you can pick which name fits best.

It is really unbelievable how fast time goes. This week I had a wonderful time again. On Saturday, I was again at Samuels. Clem had the great idea for me to use rollerskates to go from their house to her sister-in-law’s. Unfortunately, my skirt was too tight. Maybe next time I’ll try to see if I can still rollerskate. Can you picture that?

So, anyway, we played Rummy and it was as usual very gemutlich. Afterwards, I sat in Len’s office until 3:00 a.m. While he was working, I read newspapers, worked crossword puzzles and crocheted. I am really nuts sitting there so long.

On Sunday I was (for a change) tipsy (to put it mildly). At 2:00 p.m. Gwen and Eddy picked me up with their car, to celebrate the 1st anniversary of their acquaintance. At the same time Eddy wanted to talk to one of his clients in a nearby town. But not much became of that. When they picked us up at Leonard’s hotel neither one of us had had any breakfast and were both very hungry. Leonard bought a small bottle of milk, as it is being sold here, and a few cookies which we tried to consume while riding in the car. Of course every time he or I tried to put the bottle to our mouths the car for some reason or other jumped a little. Please do not picture what we both looked like, I would really be ashamed. Well, it tasted good and we were both laughing about it.

Gwen and Eddy's Car

Eddy, who had started to drink early in the morning already, was thirsty again, so we stopped about ½ way at a real nice little tavern right on the highway. We were driving west on Roosevelt Road, to have something to drink. During the two hours we stayed there we each had six or eight whiskeys, highballs, etc. We had a real nice time there. When we left I think I was the only one who still knew at all what I myself and the other three were doing. Of course I too was in a very high spirits. Then we drove on.

Eddy stopped at a movie theater, trying to see his client, while Gwen and I went to the washroom. I cannot explain the walk from there to the car. It seemed to me three times as long as it really was. Then Eddy drove us to the restaurant which really was our goal. A beautiful place, very lovely, decorated, elegant, in a very small town, with a great bar. Gwen, who did not know any more what she was doing, sat down at the Bar with a glass while Leonard and I sat at a table nearby. Eddy kept changing between the two. We had a fantastic steak dinner, danced, drank and had a really good time. Anyway, I was very very grateful when they delivered me safe and sound at my house door at 11:30 p.m. after we stopped in the neighborhood for a sandwich and a cup of coffee.The following Wednesday, when I was at Bishops’ as usual, they asked me about several things they could absolutely not remember.

Baker Hotel

Monday I visited Aunt Henny in her new rooms, just around the corner from where she lived before. I suppose you will write to her again for her birthday. Her new address is Hotel Cerf, 3635 Blackstone, room 8. She only moved because she had no phone on the other place, which is really very important in such a big city.

Tuesday I was for supper at Gus and Marie Bing. They were really awfully nice. Marie is trying to get me in where she is working now, and if it does not work out Gus told me that Budwig (where I worked before) is starting again and I should go to him. Maybe he will take me again. Anyway, I have to wait till next week. Something will work out that I find something better. Now that the new season is starting is the right time to look.

The weather has been so nutty that one does not know how to dress. One day just ice and snow and the next beautiful sunshine.

Last night for a change I was in bed at 9:30 p.m. It was really necessary.

Tonight I will have one of those nice relaxing Shabbos evenings at the Samuels. Tomorrow at Weils. In general I am quite lazy — darn socks, only when I have no more to wear without holes, do my laundry just once a week, also started three or four letters but did not finish. I am crocheting a black skirt for Gwen and carry that with me everywhere I go even if I do not work on it.

Hotel Baker

For Aunt Henny’s birthday I will make her a brown straw hat and a stand for it. Nobody can understand that I have not had a word from my slster Lotte in three months, and even from Erna in two months. Yes, that is the way it goes. Of course I tell people, well, then I do not have to write to them either!

Last week a lady called me from the new “Immigrants’ Club” but I was not at home. She left her name and phone number. I am really not interested. I feel very happy here without their help. Only if I could get some customers for hats, but I doubt that very much.

The mysterious phone call from two weeks ago has not been cleared yet. By the way, Mr. Arthur Eggener, fiance of Clem Samuels, will probably get in touch with you in the near future. He will come here in in a few weeks and would be glad to bring me some butter cookies. With this I am ending this megilla, with a hearty kiss for each of you. Best regards to all when [they] ask for me.

Your loving daughter and sister,
Gertrude Adler
671 N Dearborn Street.
Phone: Dearborn 5425

Trudel often told of a wild ride out to the Baker Hotel in St. Charles, Illinois. I believe that was the trip she describes in this letter.

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Posted by Leonard Grossman on March 8, 1935 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Judaism, Letters

Tags: Baker Hotel, Chicago, dancing, dinner, Got Milk, megilla, roadhouse, Roosevelt Road, rummy, tavern, tipsy, weather

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

07 Apr

April 7, 1935
671 N. Dearborn St.

My Dearest Dear Ones:

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

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?

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 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

2 Comments

Posted by Leonard Grossman on April 7, 1935 in Chicago, family, immigrant experience, Judaism, Letters

Tags: clothes, Food, hats, Judaism, leisure, letters, movies, Passover, Pesach

April 12, 1935 ” I am just thinking how much we laughed…”

12 Apr

4/12/35

My very dear Bubele:*

Everything good and best wishes etc, etc, to you. I hope that both my letters to you with some underwear arrived OK. One I sent to your job and the other home. Hopefully they fit you and you like them and that you will wear them in good health and happiness. I am just thinking how much we laughed when one year ago today we tried to arrange the gift for Alex in our dining room.

Trudel

I am again writing in my lunch time. It is very nasty outside. Rain and strong wind. It is hard to walk. My black rain coat is sure welcome now. Tuesday night when I was again at Aunt Henny, I took the fur off my gray coat. I like it almost better that way.

Monday I finally had a haircut again. I like it that way – real short.

While waiting for Leonard in his office on Wednesday I wrote a few letters again, called a few people, including Fanny Ratzenstein, whom I could not reach. I also for the first time took some business calls for Leonard. I am a little cautious about that. I always think people will not understand me on the phone. But I had no difficulties.

Trudel's Warm Gray Coat (with fur)

Last night I was in bed at 8:30 p.m. but did some sewing until 10:00 p.m. I wrote you that I had to make my brown skirt tighter. That is not finished yet. I should make all my clothes tighter on the bottom, which indicates that I am getting a more adjusted figure.

Tonight I will go to Samuels again. They had their 2nd grandchild on Sunday and will have the bris next Sunday.

Aunt Jenny met Julius S two weeks ago but only talked with him very shortly. When I go to them for dinner tomorrow she will tell me what they talked about.

My ink has run out again so I have to continue with pencil. Actually there is not much I have to tell you today. No wonder – this is letter #13 for this year.

Yes, I think this is all my dumb brains can get together today.

For all of you, heartiest greetings and kisses. A special birthday kiss for you, dear Bubele.

Your loving

Trudel

“Bubele” was Trudel’s sister Erna, whose birthday was in late April. Alex eventually became Erna’s husband. The next day LJG wrote a handwritten Birthday greeting to Erna.
Letter to Erna
Click on the thumbnail to see the letter at a legible size. A typescript of the letter is set forth below.

April 13, 1935

Dear Erna:

Happy birthday to you. Many jolly returns of the day! The day you were born was and is an important event in dear Trudel’s life – even tho’ it first occurred three years before she was even a bright idea in her Father’s mind. How much you mean to her — How much happiness your thoughtful love has always meant to my sweetheart you can never know, and makes you very precious to me. Instead of writing you congratulations, I wish I could embrace my precious sister with a birthday kiss. But I can only wish you all the happiness you may wish for yourself, and look forward to the day when I can tell you what a wonderful girl I think you must be because are not you and Trudel made of the same material? With a heart full of love to you, Lotta and Father – who must be congratulated on your birthday, for without him, would such a joy as Erna ever bring my darling’s adoration?

Devotedly,

Leonard

4 Comments

Posted by Leonard Grossman on April 12, 1935 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Judaism, Letters, Memoir

Tags: Birthday, bris, Chicago weather, clothes, cold, laughter, letters, presents, rain, weather

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

18 Apr

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

1 Comment

Posted by Leonard Grossman on April 18, 1935 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Judaism, Memoir

Tags: Chicago weather, clothes, Easter, Food, letters, matzah, matzos, movies, Passover, Pesach, seder, wine

September, 1936 – Trudel Hats at last – a room and shop of her own.

25 Sep

September 1936 was a busy month for Trudel. She has her dream – a shop of her own. Her notes for September include one letter, but a note dated October 1, 1936 is really about September as well, so I am including them in one post.

Remember to click on the photos. Most will take you to full-size versions of the images.

Leonard Grossman
One of Trudel’s Sons.

September 6, 1936 – Trudel Hats

I have moved to 195 E Chestnut St and combined my own hat shop, living room and bed room together.

Trudel Working

Trudel’s All-in-One: Shop and Room

Triple Self-Portrait

Trudel Hats on Chestnut

Tomorrow, Labor Day, we are planning to go to Riverview Park, an amusement park and expect about 50,000 people if the weather is nice, Leonard will preside the first half of the day since it is all Republican.

Aunt Henny is planning to stay in Florida.

October 1, 1936- Riverview political rally, and a “lunch break” on Yom Kippur.

Had trouble getting your letter, dear Papa, since I was not home when they tried to deliver it at my apartment and I had no identification with me when I went to the Post Office to pick it up. I did finally get it.

Temple Sholom

Thanks for stamps and prayer book for Mrs. Samuel. On Yom Kippur I went to a German service, using the prayer book same as West End Synagogue [in Frankfurt]. Only, the songs’ melodies were different and they had 2 ½ hours lunch break. I met Kurt Heichelheim who is here only 2 weeks and very happy to see one person he knew.

On Labor Day, 9/7, was again Thompson Day in Riverview Park. All big Republicans. Leonard introduced all the candidates from noon until 6:00 pm in bright sunshine, which he likes.