Object numberM2009/052:019
DescriptionThree page handwritten letter, appears to be more like a portion of a diary, addressed to no-one in particular. Written in Vienna by Alfred Grunfeld (father of the donor) probably shortly before his leaving Australia and contains his inner feelings, thoughts and worries. See inscriptions/marks for translation.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1938-09-12
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 340.00 mm
height: 210.00 mm
Language
- German Vienna 12.9.38
The feelings I have this evening are so disturbed and unclear that I must definitely express some of my thoughts urgently, as there is not a friend about here I shall put it down on paper.
The whole time, from entering the MKC.H (? – these letters are indecipherable) until today there has been an internal fight within me, which I think is not yet passed. A fight between my educated capitalistic view of the world and this Zionist movement, not well expressed. In addition to that came the now unrequitable (?) desire for spiritual love which I am unable to find “from beginning to the end.”
Every third day I want to emigrate without considering consequences in spite of being afraid of something. Today I assume is the last day that my only sister has been in Vienna. The feeling that rises in me is nearly uncanny for me. A depression the reason for which I am not able to trace accurately. Maybe it is the possibility that I will never see her again? Maybe it is the melancholy feelings of absolute love, due to a blood relationship, which did not arrive by surprise but over time! I imagine a mother must be feeling such a love for her child. I believe that the child feels such love only rarely, mainly when saying goodbye.
In spite of all this I am extremely egotistic to an extent that I have difficulty expressing it. I want to be rich, the centre of society a.s.o. in a word: capitalistic. I feel all this when I am at home in my environment, not when in the organisation, there it is different!
Alfred Grünfeld
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Peter Grunfeld