January 26th phone call to Moscow. Hello? Hello, Oscar? This is Arthur Schwartz Shalom, Arthur. Well how are you? Very well. It was most nice of you to send your regards. We received from Canada. From Bernie and Esther. Did you receive the things we sent you? Yes, we received the pictures and gifts. Yes your whole family is very nice. The two girls and you and Belle. Very nice. Thank you What time is it now by you? Our time now is 9:20 9:20 in the morning? Early then? Yes what time is it now in Russia? Twenty minutes after five at night. Oscar, have you had your dinner yet?. Yes we always have it on time. Shelly, my wife she talks about dieting. She would like to loose some weight. 1 know I would like to also. You would like to loose some of your weight? Why you look alright in the pictures. Well, looks are deceiving. Not enough exercise. Oh, you don't go on foot, you prefer driving? No I prefer eating. A lot of good food. That don't help. What do you like to eat? All the good things, bagels and lox. Do you ever have lox? What is that? It is smoked salmon. Well I don't know what that is. It is kind of a favorite food of our community here in our country. It is a smoked fish. Oh, I remember when I was a young child. That long ago was the last time? It was much more at that time. We also have bagels. Have you ever heard to bagels? No It we serve bagels and lox. We wish you were here to join with is in our close community. It is something we have when get together as we are today and have a breakfast. We us. Thank you and I wish myself. It is made of flour? Yes, it is made of flour and water and they have a hole in the center. First the-y are dipped in boiling water and then they are baked. I see. And nothing inside? No. We put cream cheese on them. That is a spreadable cheese and some lox. I see. I would like the recipes for this. : Ok. I wish we could send you some bagels but I don't think it would hold till it gets there.
Well thank you, it is nice of you. something my wife makes. She make Russian boulikas. I think bouillon it is with some Boulikas, is that some dough stuffed with something? No just four and eggs. We call that a noodle. Yes, exactly. You had a visit from Edward? Yes we did it was last month. We received your gift. Thank you very much it is a beautiful book. Your welcome. It is my pleasure, our pleasure indeed. It is in English and in Russian. One page in English. Right. We are going to have to learn Well I have nothing better on The art work is beautiful. I our temple lobby for everyone Oh really. Most of our congregation do You are very kind indeed. The girls are excellent and waiting to say hello to you, Shalom Oscar Shalom Karen How are you? I am fine how are you? How are the boys? Well, they are the same. A last time we spoke to you. Russian though, hand to send you. would like to display to see. * it -in know your name. Arthur how are the girls now? Karen is standing right here And you Karen, look quite a bit different from your last picture. You wear glasses? Yes. What is the color of your hair is it red? No Oscar it is dirty blonde or light brown. You look lovely. Your sister Sandi, she is about five years younger than you? No three years younger. She will soon have her Bat Mitzvah. Is she studying? Yes, soon. And you are helping her? Yes and she is going to do something like we are doing to help you. She will twin with another family. Oh I see. You can share your experiences with her. We still remember that. Can I ask you if you know somebody in Moscow? Her name is Marina Khait. She Xives in Moscow. Marina Khait? Do you know her? She must be about 13 no? Yes. We have friends who are helping her and writing tell her that they say hi. letters to her so you can I will try to find her. Thank you. I am sure that they little bit taller than the will appreciate it.
What is her fathers name? Don't you know? Alexander. Oscar, the parents are divorced and I don't know if she is living with her mother or father. Oh, I am sorry. They usually stay with the mother. How are the boys doing in school? Are they doing good. You see they like math but they don't do so good in history and geography. It is not my best subjects either. Oh really? They are very bright in math and they will have to take their exams in every subject. Wish them luck for me. I will suspect that they will have problems with their history. Mr. Drachman told us that the boys like math. Do the boys play any musical instruments? No. I am sorry. I was just curious. And do you play any instruments? Yes the violin. Oh the violin? I am afraid their ear is not to good for music. Mine is not to great either but I like it. But you do play? I try. Is Sandi their with you now? Yes Sandi is here. Oscar, we have a lot of people sitting here with us now listening to this call. They are all friends I see. Best regards to all of our friends. I am going to put my father back on the phone. Ok Shalom then. Shalom, send my regards to Shelly and the boys also. Thanks. Hello Oscar? Yes, that was a nice talk Arthur. We have one more person who would like to say hello to you. Our Rabbi. It is most nice of you. I think that I will try to send you some mail. I will register our letters this time. The last time we tried it was something for the girls. Did you get it? No we did not. It was a half a I think for the calls. Well thank you. Yes. They get through? We did not receive it. year ago. time being we have to rely on the phone Would you receive a cable? Yes, but we have to be happy with the phone calls Oscar, what is the visa situation? Just last night we were with friends at a party. go but we stay unfortunately. Not many, but some are leaving. Not many but some do. Oh, but your time will come also. for now. People do families
Ok we will wait but we are not getting any younger. You sound very young and very vibrant. Thank you, I try my best. We hope to try long enough to see the other side anyway. We will meet some day. We will get to you or you will get to us. Oscar, we received a request for the Asthma medicine for Shelly and we will act on it and get it to you. Thank you very much. Something wrong happened. To Shelly all the time. She is somewhat better now thank you. I have the same thing also. I have asthma also. You? Yes and there are a lot of good medicines around. Really, I am sorry to hear that. We will get some to you. Thank you. Oscar, our Rabbi would like to talk to you now please hold the line. RABBI Oscar? Shalom. I say Shalom to you from many many people. They are all going to join me in saying Shalom so you can sense how many people are really here. (everyone, about 35 people said "Shalom, Hello Oscar") Do you hear how many people? There are not just one or two people and there are not only just people here with us, there are people all around in many many other places who also will hear what we have said and will wish you well. I want you to know that we pray for you many many times and that we work as hard as we can to give you hope that the day will come that we may all be in the warm country. Please g-d. You see it is most kind of you. I am touched and I will tell every friend. RABBI Please do. Know that our hearts are with you. Thank you. It is most nice of you and everybody from the congregation. RABBI Know that we talk about you here very very often and that many things are sent even though few arrive. You understand? Some cables do get through. RABBI Well we will keep sending and hope that some more things will get through also. Thank you. RABBI Ok, good luck to you. Thank you, good luck to you and g-d help you. Oscar, this is Arthur again. Thank you very much Arthur it is a very touching thought and everything you do. I wish you every luck and to your family and friends. I wish you every luck and I most wish you a speedy trip to the warm country. Please g-d. Please give our regards to your family and we hope some day to be able to talk to them. You will be our guest of honor when we are there. You will be our guest of honor. You will take the
difficult journey not us. Oscar I will say good bye now. Until the next time. Shalom for now and say hello to everybody. Take care of Shalom^o your family and to all of our friends in Moscow Yes, Arthur.