Object numberM2018/008:021
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. This letter confirms that Leo is staying with his friend and Hardy Bros colleague Dr Josef Mondschein’s family. Hermine writes that her and Adolf’s passports and clearance certificates are yet to arrive. Pauli’s has already arrived along with his clearance certificate, which Hermine worries will expire before he gets his landing permit. She plans to send Leo all their certificates of good conduct in advance as well as signed application forms to expedite the process. She also wishes her son a happy 21st birthday.
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. This letter confirms that Leo is staying with his friend and Hardy Bros colleague Dr Josef Mondschein’s family. Hermine writes that her and Adolf’s passports and clearance certificates are yet to arrive. Pauli’s has already arrived along with his clearance certificate, which Hermine worries will expire before he gets his landing permit. She plans to send Leo all their certificates of good conduct in advance as well as signed application forms to expedite the process. She also wishes her son a happy 21st birthday.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-02-08 - 1939-02-08
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, visa application, landing permit, refugee experiences in Australia, family life
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 182.00 mm
letter width: 145.00 mm
Language
- German My dearest Leo,
Today I received your first two letters from Sydney, which we’ve been longing for for so long; we still haven’t got the telegram, so have been waiting patiently for your letters, which thank G-d we have rnow. We are happy that you have arrived at your destination and that you have the long journey behind you; may G-d now bless you with much health and happiness.
I’m happy that you’ve found accommodation with the Mondschein family. In your last letter you wrote that you would send us photos from Sydney, but don’t put too much strain on yourself as G-d will help you, just wait and see. Sending letters costs a lot of money and you must make sure to save, so instead of sending too many rather buy yourself something to eat.
How happy it would make us to be with you already – although this I’m sure you can imagine for yourself. We have our stay approved until 15.3, but it will be prolonged, although the clearance certificates will expire and can’t be prolonged because they are already up to their second month. I will send you health certificates from us and Pauli’s certificate of good behaviour, which you get at the same time as your passport. Pauli already has his passport – his clearance certificate is valid until March 4. I don’t know when ours will be valid till. I’ll send you our certificates of good behaviour as soon as we get our passports.
We received all of your letters from the journey, but are confused that we didn’t get the telegram – we thought you had no money and waited so patiently for the telegram, and prayed that you would arrive safely.
I’ll also send you three sheets of paper with our signatures already on them so that the process can go faster. Write when you receive them. Pauli is being very good, going every afternoon to work in the shop and looking after everything for us. Yesterday we got a letter from Tel Aviv; Uncle is opening a shop on 15.2 and they also have an apartment. Uncle Seifter is home already. Yesterday we received some sausage from Prague, … [unclear] we also got a card from you with great pleasure. I’ll note all of our details here, which you’ll need for the application. When we receive the permit, the clearance certificate will also be extended for a certain time. Write to us thoroughly,
A thousand kisses,
Mama (stay healthy!)
My dearest Jonas,
Now promise me (?) that you will apply for us as soon as you can,
Many kisses,
Tato
[List:]
6 photos, 1 certificate of good behaviour from Paul
3 certificates of good health
3 applications
Warm congratulations on your 21st birthday, that the dear G-d make all of your wishes come true and bless you with much health and happiness. When we (hopefully) are together again, I’ll give you your birthday cake then.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit