JOSEPH WILLEN
71 WEST 47 STREET
NEW YORK
February 5th,
1951
Dearest Debbie:
This is Sunday - Mrs. Klesmer is here - and I am busy dictating.
Have gotten off
to Paul and Jane.
I have just finished a long letter
they
should need
them
if
some notes to people about an apartment for
one.
I have had a long talk with Jack Mogulescu re: Antioch and the
possibilities for a job for you in Boston. You will hear directly from
him. He will do the best he can - and I know he will be extremely
helpful. Strangely enough, he has just been asked to reorganize the
Publicity Department of an important Boston communal agency and will
their
probably have to hire their staff. At any rate, he will screen all
applications.
Mother and I have gone through a tough time and the pressure and
tension is almost beyond the breaking point. Getting ready for a trip
to Europe with all the attendant chores - innoculations; buying a camera
and photographic materials;
visas; worrying about whether to take this
coat or the other; etc., etc., are all things that needs must be done -and it isn't
as simple as it sounds.
more complicated, we had worked out
And, to make things a little
a happy arrangement for a car -- bought a Hillman-Minx, paid for it and
the necessary was done re: disposing of it when we were ready to return
home.
The other day Ben Lazrus wired us from Europe, offering us the use
of a beautiful DeSoto Station Wagon, complete with the latest gadgets
and chauffeur.
The temptation to avail ourselves of his generous offer;
get a refund for the Hillman-Minx;
and travel de luxe was great indeed.
It required subtle diplomacy when we came to the conclusion that we could
not afford to "live up to" this extraordinarily beautiful car, to decline
this very generous, friendly invitation. Seriously, it would have made us
conspicuous, rich Americans, while the Hillman-Minx brings us down to
earth and size and after much deliberation we decided it would be the
better part of wisdom to stick to our original plan.
Then the round of parties that friends are giving -- pleasant to
attend, moving to see the number of friends one has. One is inclined to
be a little
skeptical at times perhaps cynical, but it is comfort and
warmth and very satisfying to know that there are many who make the
gestures of friendship.
I am certain that many are friends.
The parties
are grand, wonderful parties, but you do get home late and you must get
up early the next morning and you never seem to be able to catch up with
the sleep you miss.
(Continued)
Deborah Willen
-Pae
2--
2/5/51
On Saturday a long, tough day with the architect and the builders.
Prices keep rising and there is virtually nothing to do but build, because it
will be higher next year and who knows if conditions will let building be done.
So it looks like we will go ahead with the remodelling; give Gus Berne power
of attorney to sign checks for us and leave the supervision of the job to John
Breck. All of this we shall work out tomorrow.
And there is the need for such purchases as drugs, etc., etc. Believe
it or not, we shall be a "walking drug-store" - the drugs to take care of all
eventualities - illness in Greece, Italy, etc., etc., for there are so many
mycins....Terramycin; Aureomycin; etc., etc., that really protect one against
pneumonia, serious infections caused by polluted water, strange food, etc.
At any rate, you cannot get these drugs in little towns, but believe it or not,
you can buy them here and use them almost indiscriminately and should you reach
a temperature of 102, if you carefully carry out the instructions of a doctor
these drugs are truly miracle drugs. It is all confusing, but I think we understand it and when I use the word "We" I mean your Mother.
Mother is going through the throes of renting the apartment. Every day
new people look at it.... every day you make up your mind you want to give it
to some nice people, but they have children, and you are reluctant. Then someone comes along without children - but they are are not desirable... .and so it
goes. Since dictating the last paragraph, the die is cast and the apartment
has now been rented to Mr. and Mrs. Rajeshwar Dayal.
Mother's going to Germany is now definite, and she will stay on in
Germany during the Month of May, as part of an eight-women group representing the
CIO, AFL, Catholic, Preotestant, etc., etc., women's groups -- Mother will represent the Jewish Women of America -- who will be touring Germany in an effort to
acquaint the German women with what is achievable in a Democratic society by
women as they organize themselves in various lobby groups; cultural groups;
pressure groups, etc., etc., as voluntary groupings of human beings, independent
of any government control or government stimulation. All this, Mother's group
will try to bring home to the women of Germany. She will not be back until
I shall be bdk early in May.
June.
We leave on Le LIBERTE Wednesday, the 7th and arrive at Le Havre on the
13th. We shall be at the Lutetia Hotel in Paris from the 13th to the 16th, then
head for Rome and from there to Israel, where we should arrive sometime around
the 20th--23rd. While in Israel, where we shall be about ten days, we shall
divide our time as follows:
\0
3 days at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem
3 "
"
" Sharon Hotel in Tel Aviv
" Mt. Zion Hotel in Haifa.
"
3 "
However, you will be hearing from us well before then as to more exact details
of the trip, etc., etc.
If Paul is not drafted by the time I get back in May (and I do hope he
will not be) perhaps he and Jane will be living in a one-room apartment in the
London-Terrace.
If he is drafted, perhaps you and Jane may be occupying the
apartment.......
What are your plans?
I repeat, Jack Mogulescu will be writing to you directly re: Boston.
As I understand it, you want to sepnd a few weeks in Chicago and a few in Boston
(CONTINUED)
- Page 3 -
Miss Deborah Willen
2/5/51
to evaluate Radcliffe and Chicago University, respectively, and then take
a job.
reaches you I shall have alreadyntalked with
By the time this letter
you on the telephone and Mother and I shall probably be on the high seas.
Well, darling, it was certainly a wonderful wedding that Paul and Jane
had. As you now, I was a little skeptical about the marriage ceremony they
worked out, but I must confess I was deeply moved by the beauty and the charm
and the fine sensitivity both of them displayed in planning their marriage,
and in the things they said to each other. Yes, it was a grand wedding and
a grand party.
I do hope your Oberlin days were wonderful and that your Antioch days
are amusing. There is so much I would like to say, but will be on the boat
soon enough and there will be time for writing you leisurely and at length.
I don' t know what your plans are about coming back to New York, where
you will stay.... but, Mrs. Klesmer will know all the facts about the house
in the country, whether it is habitable or not. Paul and Jane will either
have the car.......but all this you will know direct from them.
We shall miss you much.
Don't miss us too much.
I'm tired - exhausted - and look forward to the vacation ahead with
infinite joy and pleasure. Mother is a little disturbed at the possibility
that Paul may be drafted - particularly in view of the fact that he may have
to go into the service while we are away. I'm sure that once she is on the
boat the tension will be lessened considerably.....
In
the meantime, love and kisses to my very own Debbie.
Dad
P.S. - Enclosed is
check of $300.
JW:k
Miss Deborah Willen
Antioch College
Yellow Springs, Ohio
(Dictated but not read or
signed by Mr. Willen)
Dear Deb:
You looked simply grand at that memorable party for your
Dad -- it was good to see you, particularly on so happy an
occasion.
Do let me know if there is anything that you may need or
want and you know I shall be only too glad to help if I
-C
nossiblv can.