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Very interesting and rareHandwritten Ladino Judeo-Spanish Letter Sephardic Jewish Istanbul Turkey WW2Judaica History
Handwritten Ladino letter dated April 30, 1939, from Istanbul. The opening page greets \"Chere Sarah\" and immediately expresses deep concern: the writer and her mother are troubled to learn that Sarah is working so many hours without rest, reflecting on how hard life had become — \"much suffering and little earning.\" Page 4 continues with the family\'s worries about the uncle and aunt, who still do not know where they will go, reassuring the sister: \"We pray night and day that God will have mercy and make everything easy and light.\" A note of warmth follows: yesterday was Sunday, they visited the uncle, Jacques went to work, and Mme. Roja was there — all in good health. A deeply human document capturing Sephardic family life on the eve of World War II.
Pages 2 and 3 of this April 30, 1939 Ladino letter on blue paper offer a candid window into economic hardship and family hopes in late 1930s Istanbul. Page 2 addresses Jacques\'s difficult work situation: he has little work because business is not selling, and wherever he presents himself, he is told there is no income — though \"inshallah he has many [skills],\" likened to Sidon, and he is not idle. The writer notes: \"the whole world is suffering from the crisis — it is not only Jacques\'s situation.\" Page 3 brings better news: Jacques is currently working at \"Oumo,\" paid by the hour, and since the work is going well, they keep giving him more. The writer then discusses Sarah\'s potential move, urging her to speak with the Director and mentioning that Joseph at the Clinique is waiting for Sarah to discuss important matters regarding a first and second position there.
Pages 6 and 7 of this April 30, 1939 blue-paper Ladino letter paint a vivid social picture of Istanbul life. Page 6 recounts a Sunday outing: since Jacques works Saturdays and stays home, the mother proposed a walk to the Park in Sirkeci (Sirkidji) to celebrate the Goeuk Bay Remi festival (likely Gençlik Bayramı — April 23th Turkish Youth Day). The two of them went and found it \"very beautiful\" — full of people, entertainers, and street vendors of all kinds. Page 7 continues the day: they watched entertainers and street sellers, sat on benches with the mother, and stayed until the afternoon despite it being somewhat cold. The writer adds warmly that if Sarah were there, she could go out a bit with Joseph — who would also enjoy the company — and urges Sarah to come as soon as the Director accepts her. Closes with wishes that the letter finds Sarah \"healthy and strong.\" A rare, lively slice of Sephardic leisure life in pre-war Istanbul.
Page 5 reveals a lively poker evening: Jacques arrived in the afternoon, the uncle was eager to play, they gathered 5 people and played for 1,000 lobes at 25 gr. By the end, the uncle lost 40 gr, Beky lost 17 gr, and Jacques recovered his losses thanks to bluffing — a delightful glimpse of domestic entertainment. Page 5 also addresses the matter of Sarah speaking with the Director about her desire to come, and notes that the person who sent the letter had not yet responded to a previous one — this being the very first letter sent. Page 8 closes with warm greetings from the mother — who \"misses her very much\" — greetings from the uncle and aunt, and from Jacques, who also says he misses Sarah greatly. Signed \"Beky\" with greetings from Jacques and the Cortiel family.
Fromthe heritage of the Sarah Savaryego (Worked for Anadolu Agency in Ankara) then married to Dr. Joseph Savaryego and the surname is a recognized Sephardic Jewish family name in Istanbul and the broader Ottoman world. Like many Jewish families in Galata, the Savariegos would have been descendants of the Sephardic Jews who arrived from Spain and Portugal after 1492. In the 1940s, professional Jews — doctors, merchants, artisans — built their lives in Galata, a neighborhood with many synagogues.
Measures 21 x 28 centimeters (approx.)
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Please examine the listing, some bent corners, era folds, small tears and slight stains due to their genuine antique aging.As is vintage good condition, what you see is what you will get. We try to present the real state of the object as completely as possible with photos.
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