Object numberM2018/008:019
DescriptionIn 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.
In the meantime, friends and relatives of Leo are desperate to enjoin his help in the hopes of migrating to Australia themselves, including even those in Palestine who are growing tired of the Middle Eastern conflict. This letter is from Leo’s friend and cousin-in-law at the time, Hans Kohn, who is still residing in Fällanden refugee camp, Switzerland, at the time of writing. His lack of future prospects leads him to plead with Leo to find him a work contract in Australia.
In this instance, Leo is able to secure a job contract for his friend in Australia but is unable to obtain an Australian landing permit on his behalf.
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.
In the meantime, friends and relatives of Leo are desperate to enjoin his help in the hopes of migrating to Australia themselves, including even those in Palestine who are growing tired of the Middle Eastern conflict. This letter is from Leo’s friend and cousin-in-law at the time, Hans Kohn, who is still residing in Fällanden refugee camp, Switzerland, at the time of writing. His lack of future prospects leads him to plead with Leo to find him a work contract in Australia.
In this instance, Leo is able to secure a job contract for his friend in Australia but is unable to obtain an Australian landing permit on his behalf.
Production placeZürich, Switzerland
Production date 1939-01-18 - 1939-01-18
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, visa application, landing permit, refugee experiences in Australia, refugee camps
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 208.00 mm
letter width: 143.00 mm
envelope length: 162.00 mm
envelope width: 116.00 mm
Language
- German My dear friend Leo!
I received your postcards from Toulin and Port Said, for which I thank you profusely. I hope you receive this letter in good health. I have a lot of urgent matters to report to you, meaning that I couldn’t wait for your letter before writing to you.
Leo, I must tell you now that the ministry rejected me and wanted to request your help – since I have positively found out here that is possible to be approved if you appeal the decision. I would like to request, dear Leo, that you seek information on this matter from a lawyer with a contingence fee. A few people have done it this way and have been approved. I can account for the expenses myself and my Uncle Horowitz will pay me a 200 pound allowance.
Dear Leo, I don’t want you to think that I’m bothering you unnecessarily here; my whole future is in the reckoning.
Dear Leo, don’t neglect anything for my cause, hopefully you’ll succeed either via Gilbert or via an appeal to get me my permit [to Australia] so that we can happily meet again. I have been exchanging letters with your parents and would be delighted to see you again.
My dear father is home again but must leave Vienna again in a few days. Poldi is going to London on January 21. Aunt Elsa Zuckermann with husband and children and Uncle Arnold with wife and child are also going. And my girlfriend Mina with her parents are already 16 days into their journey to Shanghai. So you can see, dear Leo, all of my wishes have been fulfilled. My greatest wish was that my father would return home in safety and this has been fulfilled. My last remaining wish is to travel to Sydney with your help, and is my only chance to feel happy again.
Bernhard and Lissy send their regards. I’ll write here all of my details and my reference number that you’ll need to contact the ministry: born 18th September 1917 in Vienna, which is my current place of permanent residence; reference number no. 38/21147. Thanking you again dear Leo for helping me as much as you can without causing yourself harm as we discussed when we said goodbye to each other, and for doing everything in your power (maybe someone can help you out). I will be forever grateful to you for your help. Expecting to hear from you urgently and affirmatively.
Best wishes,
Your friend Hans
Dear Leo!
Wanted to take the opportunity to write you a couple of lines. I would like to plead in turn that you help with Hansi’s situation as much as you can. You would give me great pleasure if you were to do so. Wishing you all the best for the times ahead,
Otto Fried
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit