Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive

Simon Kalmas - May 25, 1982

Writing to Immigrate to United States

In Yiddish?

Yeah, I sat down and wrote a little letter and I uh, I found it in the--the address I found in uh, New York Times. They were forcing it every week, you know, relatives that looking for somebody. So I found the address where I could write to United Service to New Americans. I sat down and wrote. I, I knew from my uncle that Americans don't like to read long letters--long mail, don't make long ???, you know. Don't tell too long stories. I sat down and a small little letter, told them the whole story condensed. Where I had been, where I am. And besides all these atrocities and agonies I went through, I'm physical...able--physically able to work, and I would appreciate if they would help any way they can to build a future for me. Didn't take long, I got an answer. Not just an answer, I got called to the, to the office in Stuttgart. Before even I got the letter. "Did you write so-and-so and so-and-so?" I said, "I did." "Don't you know we have an office here that you should come in?" I said, "Yes, I was here, but you can't get in--I can't get in." Couldn't. Nobody let you in.


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