Object numberM2018/008:025
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.
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. Her and Adolf’s passports have finally arrived but Paul’s clearance certificate expires on the same day as writing. In her letter, Hermine expresses her usual concern for and longing to be with her son again.
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. Her and Adolf’s passports have finally arrived but Paul’s clearance certificate expires on the same day as writing. In her letter, Hermine expresses her usual concern for and longing to be with her son again.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-03-04 - 1939-03-04
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), family life, refugee experiences in Australia, refugees, refugees, visa application, landing permit
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter [thin, small] length: 179.00 mm
letter [thin, small] width: 146.00 mm
letter [thin, large] length: 208.00 mm
letter [thin, large] width: 148.00 mm
letter [thick] length: 238.00 mm
letter [thick] width: 158.00 mm
envelope length: 161.00 mm
envelope width: 113.00 mm
Language
- German 4.3
My dearest Leo,
I received your nice letter from 19.2 on Friday evening, being 3.3. I can’t send my reply immediately because I am only allowed to post it from Monday 6.3. I’ve had two letters from you this week, which cheered me a lot, as well as the 5 pictures attached to your letter. It makes us happy that we can see you at least via a picture, although I would rather see you in person, whenever that shall be.
Uncle was very pleased to read in your letter that you had such a good time. I hope that you already have the large letter with the documents. Next week I will send you our certificates of good conduct – we are having them authenticated at the moment and will get them back on Tuesday or Wednesday, when I will send them to you straight away. We also received our passports and our clearance certificates are valid till 28.4. Pauli’s is already expired as it was only for until 4.3 so he’ll have to apply afresh.
The white suit suits you well. We got a card from Hansi in Fallanden, saying that he is pleased that you have put in a word for him. Maybe we’ll all travel together; that would be a good thing.
Pauli wanted to go … [unclear] but I didn’t let him. It would make me so happy if he could travel with us, though I worry very much. Where you will get the ship deposit for us, I don’t know.
Tell me whether you can read everything I write – I am nervous when writing, although my nerves shall recover when I am with you, my Jonasl, though when will that be?
We are negotiating at the moment with the forwarding agent regarding the boxes. I haven’t decided whether to send them over yet, as it is still cold and we would have to sleep without mattresses and blankets. When it gets a bit warmer I’ll send everything over to your address, if you’re able to store it. There will be two large boxes and one large bundle of mattresses, blankets and cushions. Write whether you are able to keep these in your apartment, otherwise we’ll have to pay the high storage costs.
I would like very much to know whether you received the documents, and hope to have a reply from you next week. We sent them on 8.2.
I would love to learn English, but I just can’t get my head around any of it. Nor can Tato, as he has a head full of worries.
We are looking forward to your next picture. We’ve lost weight like you have, [unclear phrase].
I’m only taking the essential crockery items as they cost a lot in freight, but everything is sure to arrive over there. If you were to get an apartment for us when we arrive that would be the loveliest thing for me, to be together with you two again; every day here is a year.
Take care if you have any cooler weather, wear warm clothes and a pullover. Buy yourself hot meals, as eating cold food all the time makes the stomach weak. G-d shall help me so that I can join you and you can eat well again.
I am glad that you are staying with good people and friends so that things aren’t miserable for you, so go and play some ping-pong with Mr Mondschein and go to the cinema; Pauli isn’t allowed to go anywhere and is at home with us.
6.3
Dearest Leonku,
I wrote to you on Saturday but can’t bring myself to go and post the letter; it’s pelting down outside and I’m not seeing anyone who could go to the post office for me so I’m writing a little extra here. Whenever I write to you it feels almost like I am with you. If only we could travel already… It is too cold here to send over our clothes and bedding, because it wouldn’t be possible for us to go without mattresses or sheets for 2-3 months. We enjoyed your pictures a lot, and Uncle was very pleased with the letter you sent him. Write soon.
A thousand kisses from your Mama.
Warmest regards to the Mondschein family.
I’m going to write down the details for Aunt and Uncle here:
Abraham Seifter, born in Wysoka, Poland on 7.4.1885, resident in Vienna.
Anna Seifter, cook, born 1.10.1887 in Tehov, Czechoslovakia, resident in Vienna.
You should have said that I am a cook. I had a restaurant in Vienna District III, so could maybe do the same over there.
Yesterday we got a letter from Aunt Pepi. She is going to send Pauli a permit for Yugoslavia. An affidavit also arrived from Olga for Ilush, which I now have to send back. I think that Pauli will be able to go to England before the permit arrives.
Yesterday Aunt Anna was here with Uncle, and they asked if you could put a word in at a menswear shop for them. Uncle can’t get a ticket for Shanghai because it is too expensive, so he doesn’t have anywhere to go, and is no longer authorised to stay in the country. So try if possible and if you have time. Everyone is asking me for addresses. You have enough to worry about with us, and we are the ones closest to you, but if possible try and have a look around for Uncle.
Sending my warmest regards to the Mondschein family and their relations, and am happy that things are going well for you, that you are with friends and eating food that you like.
Dear Leo,
I am still working the whole week, every day. I earn 18 Reichsmarks per week and have made myself one brown suit and one linen suit. You would be amazed to see me in the linen suit; I look like a real [unclear]. My suit is just as bright as yours. The jacket is light, the [unclear] and trousers sleek. Hopefully I’ll be able to make good use of it when I am there with you. On Friday I was with Jöchn-Dreifinger [unclear] Tato at the pool where I entertained him well. Write to me about the films you are going to see. Otherwise I won’t know anything [about the current movies, as Paul is banned from going to the cinema].
Many regards to Mr Mondschein and yourself,
Paul.
My dear Jonas!
I’m going to write you a few lines as well. I’m glad that you are happy with everything in your new country. May G-d see to it that you are always contented in this life. You’ll start to feel better once you start eating your mother’s cooking again. I’ve written enough for today, and only add that you must look after yourself, especially while bathing, so that you don’t catch cold.
Many kisses,
Your Tater Steiner
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit