On December 24, 1956, Landau wrote to Lisel, the niece she had not seen since 1939. Though Landau had established a rewarding work life in California, part of her remained behind, with the children left in Europe. They belonged to her past in Germany but also to her present—a bridge between worlds. Landau could function similarly for them. In fact, she wanted to do just that. Landau assured Lisel, “Don't ever believe your talking about your memories would make me sad—on the contrary, I am happy, that you still have some recollections of a beautiful home, and of the wonderful human beings who were your parents, and grandparents.”

Within those memories Landau and Lisel shared a Jewishness, a complicated Jewishness. In that same letter Landau described the family's traditions in Germany: “I do not know whether you still remember the lighting of the candleholder, which has 8 arms.” During Hanukkah, she explained, “The candles were lit in the dining-room … next to the door.” After defining Hanukkah—a celebration of freedom—Landau concluded, “I am finding myself in the peculiar position telling you the story of Channukah on the eve of Christmas!” But in the United States “this is the right spirit.” Though Lisel observed the Christian holidays, she would also make room for Landau's religion. In a letter of December 8, 1964, Landau thanked Lisel for a Hanukkah gift, which arrived just “in time for the eighth candle.” Purchased amid Lisel's hectic Christmas prep, the separate gift, to Landau, was especially meaningful.

Hans, Gerd, and Lisel had had a childhood of extremes—great tragedy and generosity, mostly from strangers. They were victims but had survived. That childhood, at first glance, was particularly difficult for Hans and Gerd. By June 1940 Mrs. Hills was already trying to send the boys away—to the United States or a new family. In a letter to Landau on January 5, 1941, Mrs. Hills cited Hans's age as one motivation for attempting emigration at such a dangerous time. Mature Germans in England, “enemy aliens” during the war, would have to face a tribunal and possible internment based on the tribunal's findings.