Номер объектаM2018/008:072
Описание
In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
This letter is from Leo’s mother, Hermine, regretting somewhat that she did not join her other son Paul in Yugoslavia earlier. However, she is reluctant to leave Vienna before she has had a proper headstone erected for her late husband Adolf, who passed away in 1940 from pneumonia-related causes. Hermine's note is accompanied by a message from Leo's Yugoslavian Aunt Josefina "Pepi" Steiner, via whom the letter was sent, since Yugoslavia remained neutral at the time of writing.
Paul Steiner was previously stranded in Kladovo, a remote port in Yugoslavia, with his youth movement on the way to Palestine before being relocated to Sabac. Later in 1941, Paul would be shot along with most of the other men of the Kladovo Transport by fascist insurgents near Zasavica, Macva.
In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in the “Anschluss”. From May 1938, the racist Nuremberg laws applied in Austria, and Austrian Jews were steadily ostracised from their societies during the process of “Aryanisation.” This tension came to a climax in the Kristallnacht pogrom from 9th-10th November.
In the meantime, Hardy Brothers, a British jewellery-making firm, offer young Leo Steiner from Vienna employment in Sydney, Australia as a jewellery mounter in July 1938. However, the Gestapo threaten to arrest Jews issued with travel documents who do not leave within a short time. Whilst Leo’s Australian landing permit is pending, it is therefore prudent to seek temporary refuge in a third country. Before he is discharged from his erstwhile firm Vienna Art Designs, Leo’s employer Oscar Fastlich writes that his stay in Switzerland is necessary for business. In July, Leo moves to Zurich on a temporary stay visa, leaving his parents, Adolf and Hermine, and brother Paul, behind in Vienna.
Once established in Australia, Leo makes various applications to the Australian government for landing permits on behalf of his parents and Paul, all of which are denied. All three family members would eventually perish during WWII.
This letter is from Leo’s mother, Hermine, regretting somewhat that she did not join her other son Paul in Yugoslavia earlier. However, she is reluctant to leave Vienna before she has had a proper headstone erected for her late husband Adolf, who passed away in 1940 from pneumonia-related causes. Hermine's note is accompanied by a message from Leo's Yugoslavian Aunt Josefina "Pepi" Steiner, via whom the letter was sent, since Yugoslavia remained neutral at the time of writing.
Paul Steiner was previously stranded in Kladovo, a remote port in Yugoslavia, with his youth movement on the way to Palestine before being relocated to Sabac. Later in 1941, Paul would be shot along with most of the other men of the Kladovo Transport by fascist insurgents near Zasavica, Macva.
Место изготовленияVienna, Austria
Дата 1941-02-15 - 1941-02-15
ТемаHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, Kladovo Transport, youth movements, aliyah, Zionism, Hechalutz, censorship, Jews in Vienna, postal restrictions
Наименованиеletters
Размерность
- length: 296.00 mm
width: 208.00 mm
Язык
- German My dearest Leo,
I wrote a letter to you a few days ago and couldn’t send it off because I had a few matters to settle in the meantime. Today I received cards from Aunt Pepi and Pauli, in which Pauli wrote that Aunt Pepi gave him 50 Dinar, a pair of shoes, and carrot cake amongst other things for his birthday. He also got 100 Dinar, 5kg of groceries and some shoes from Taussig. Thank G-d that Pauli is being looked after on all sides. I really wanted to go over to him but unfortunately it’s too late in the game and it won’t be possible now, though maybe later. I have always asked, how could I move away and leave my late husband behind? It wouldn’t be right until I have had his gravestone put up, but now I don’t know when that will be or whether I will be able to put a stone up for him at all so that he has a memento of me in my absence. I miss Tato so much, and you two. If only I could just see you two again; too much strain has made my nerves kaput.
So write again soon, my dear Leo, and keep healthy for me,
A thousand kisses,
Your Mama
My good Leo!
Letting you know that dear Bebi is getting married. The wedding will take place on the 15.3, G-d willing that all goes well and according to plan. I hope that with G-d’s help my Bebi will be well provided for now. Hugo also got engaged to a sweet girl, but can’t get married yet as he is not able to support a wife. But he loves the girl a lot and so got himself engaged. In my next letter I will write more thoroughly. Bebi’s fiance is called Kaufmann and has a successful logging business in a large village here. When are you going to get married??
Kisses from all of us,
Your Aunt Pepi
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit