Object numberM2018/008:020
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.
This is a letter from Leo’s mother Hermine to Leo in Sydney in early 1939. She writes that her husband Adolf has secured a stay in Vienna with the Gestapo until 15.3. During this time, the Gestapo threatened Jews who were applying to travel elsewhere that they had to have evacuated the country by a certain date. Although this policy ultimately proved to be unenforceable in some cases and many extensions were granted on pre-existing stays, it is likely that Hermine, Adolf and Paul feared the consequences of not meeting the deadline. Hermine asks Leo to secure Australian landing permits for them in the interim. She still has not heard back regarding an application she made for Paul to travel to England. Attached is a head-and-shoulders photograph of Paul Steiner.
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.
This is a letter from Leo’s mother Hermine to Leo in Sydney in early 1939. She writes that her husband Adolf has secured a stay in Vienna with the Gestapo until 15.3. During this time, the Gestapo threatened Jews who were applying to travel elsewhere that they had to have evacuated the country by a certain date. Although this policy ultimately proved to be unenforceable in some cases and many extensions were granted on pre-existing stays, it is likely that Hermine, Adolf and Paul feared the consequences of not meeting the deadline. Hermine asks Leo to secure Australian landing permits for them in the interim. She still has not heard back regarding an application she made for Paul to travel to England. Attached is a head-and-shoulders photograph of Paul Steiner.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-01-23 - 1939-01-23
SubjectHolocaust, refugees, refugees, visa application, landing permit, Gestapo, photographs, photographs, refugee experiences in Australia, family life, Jews in Vienna
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 182.00 mm
letter width: 145.00 mm
envelope length: 151.00 mm
envelope width: 94.00 mm
photo length: 80.00 mm
photo width: 59.00 mm
Language
- German My dearest Leo,
Letting you know that we are healthy thank G-d, and hoping to hear the same from you. We received your letter from Colombo, and are now waiting upon correspondence from Fremantle; thank G-d that you are approaching your destination in good form. At home we speak only of you.
Today Tato went to the Gestapo and got our stay approved until 15.3. If it’s possible for you to get a permit for us I ask you, my dear child, to speed up the process as it’s not possible to travel illegally. We still don’t have anything secured for Pauli. We applied to England for him but till now haven’t heard anything.
Today I went to the Rothschild-Spital hospital, where I got my eyeglasses for free.
Aunt Pepi wrote that you have forgotten about her, so I told her that as soon as you arrive you’ll write to everyone. She’s been good to us, sending us parcels with meat and butter. We also got some meat from Lertina. Her letter is the 3rd one I sent you; hopefully you have received all of them.
Write how long it takes letters to reach you, whether you have an apartment, all thoroughly; we are thinking of you lots; may God ensure that you stay healthy and happy. Uncle Seifter is still not home, but I hope he will come back soon. Please write to me soon and tell me in detail how you are going, whether you are healthy – we are all concerned for you.
A thousand kisses,
Mama
Dear Leo, we are well, thank God, and waiting for permits. Love and kisses, your Tato and Pauli.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit