Object numberM2018/008:029
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, expressing her desperation as she continues to wait with Adolf and Paul for their Australian permits, to no avail. She asks Leo in the letter to put some money aside for when they eventually arrive. Hermine writes that she has also asked Aunt Josefina Steiner (aka Aunt Pepi) in Yugoslavia to obtain a permit for Paul to go there, but that she prefers England as an option for him should he not be approved to travel to Australia.
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, expressing her desperation as she continues to wait with Adolf and Paul for their Australian permits, to no avail. She asks Leo in the letter to put some money aside for when they eventually arrive. Hermine writes that she has also asked Aunt Josefina Steiner (aka Aunt Pepi) in Yugoslavia to obtain a permit for Paul to go there, but that she prefers England as an option for him should he not be approved to travel to Australia.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-03-20 - 1939-03-20
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugee experiences in Australia, refugees, refugees, visa application, family life, landing permit
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter [ink] length: 208.00 mm
letter [ink] width: 148.00 mm
letter [pencil] length: 189.00 mm
letter [pencil] width: 144.00 mm
envelope length: 157.00 mm
envelope width: 112.00 mm
Language
- German My dearest Leonku,
Received your letter from 7.3 and am glad to hear that you are well, which I can also report from our end. Just as your letter came, Doni was here, who pleased to hear that you are going to arrange something for him.
Olga has already sent the affidavit for Ilush; if she had sent one for Pauli he could have gone to a transit camp on his way to England, but the poor child is here with me and it makes me so unhappy. I am also worried for Uncle Alfred and Aunt Ruza, and for everyone over there [in Prague].
We sent you our certificates of good conduct, which you will need when the permit comes; if only it were already here; every day here is a year as we are waiting patiently for our approval. Aunt Pepi wrote this week that she hopes to get a permit for Pauli to go there. Although I would prefer for him to go to England, we’ll take what we can get.
We won’t be receiving any more supplies from Uncle Alfred as he is not doing any better than we are at the moment, which is unexpected for us.
Don’t send so many heavy letters as it costs you too much money. I get worried when you go to the water, so be careful, and rather go to the theatre or the cinema. Poor Pauli doesn’t go anywhere but sits at home the entire day on Sunday, sometimes playing the gramophone or cards with Leo Dicker [name slightly unclear]. I am so sorry for him, but there is nothing to be done; he is so nervous, as we all are. How we are feeling cannot be described.
I’m going to send the boxes over in April, since the longer I wait the harder it will be to send them. I still don’t know Walter Kohn’s address, but will send it to you in the next letter.
Mr Pickles was here and reprimanded me because you haven’t written to Fredl yet. I told him that you have other things to worry about and that it’s not your fault. I am not bothering myself with the fact that he is here and has written to Fredl, as I have enough on my mind already.
Look around for something for Uncle and Aunt Anna if you could, as they can’t travel anywhere and have little money. I should also have received [a permit?] from Uncle Alfred but don’t know any more if it’ll work out.
Save what you can until we come and join you, so that we can buy furniture. ([Note:] I must write in pencil because the paper is bad). If you’re withdrawing every week you’ll have less income, though the most important thing is that you are there. I would be happy if Pauli were to earn [unclear] and was already there; I would be glad had he left already. Lorn and Trude are in England, Richard Neumann is in Antwerp, and [unclear] is in Brussels, at a locksmith’s. Richard is travelling to Western Australia soon. Masel Soffer is in Shanghai.
The liver will go off, so eat it up – it is too warm over there. We don’t have any liver here anymore. So eat yours, but first cook it so that you don’t upset your stomach.
Our stay is authorised until 28.4. It gets extended every month. Write soon.
Many kisses,
Your Mama.
Warmest regards to the Mondschein family. Tomorrow on Tuesday 21.3 airmail will be sent, so will post the letter then: airmail always leaves on Tuesdays and Fridays.
I don’t have much to write.
Many kisses,
Your Tato Steiner.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit