Object numberM2018/008:045
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, describing life in Vienna, with notes added by her husband Adolf and younger son Paul. According to the letter, 2 families whom the Steiners are acquainted with have recently received permits to travel to Australia and New Zealand. Hermine notes that she is unsure whether the Gestapo will authorise their stay in Vienna beyond the 28th of August (as she writes on the 23rd of the same month), and hopes that they also will not be evicted from their apartment. She is hopeful that Paul will be able to keep his job as a shop assistant, as the owners of his shop like him despite his being Jewish. Recently, Adolf and Hermine had to have teeth pulled out, something that Hermine had been anticipating for a while and describes as a very unpleasant operation.
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, describing life in Vienna, with notes added by her husband Adolf and younger son Paul. According to the letter, 2 families whom the Steiners are acquainted with have recently received permits to travel to Australia and New Zealand. Hermine notes that she is unsure whether the Gestapo will authorise their stay in Vienna beyond the 28th of August (as she writes on the 23rd of the same month), and hopes that they also will not be evicted from their apartment. She is hopeful that Paul will be able to keep his job as a shop assistant, as the owners of his shop like him despite his being Jewish. Recently, Adolf and Hermine had to have teeth pulled out, something that Hermine had been anticipating for a while and describes as a very unpleasant operation.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-08-23 - 1939-08-23
SubjectHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, family life, Visa Refusal, landing permit, visa application, refugee experiences in Australia, Gestapo, Jews in Vienna, Aryanisation
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 263.00 mm
letter width: 220.00 mm
envelope length: 143.00 mm
envelope width: 117.00 mm
Language
- German My dearest Leonku,
It was such a joy for us to get your letter from 19.8. We are glad to hear that you are healthy, which we can also report of ourselves. I am already looking forward to Saturday, which is when we get post from you – always a day later now.
I know that you are very upset that Pauli came back [from the Italian border]. Last week two families received their permits, one for Australia and the other for New Zealand, whilst you are burdened with having to wait such a long time. We are worried that we will still be here in the winter, without bedding or winter coats, but there is nothing to do about that but wait.
[Unclear] is also locked so we can’t do anything; Tato’s stay is approved until 28.8 and will hopefully get it extended, if not it would be very unfortunate for us. As long as nothing changes we should be able to continue to wait for our permit here. Thank G-d that we are still in our apartment, when so many have left, though apparently they are waiting to seize our apartment when we leave. May G-d see to it that we don’t have to move out, and that you will soon have the approval for us, as we are very worried. I read in the newspaper just now that there are a lot of scams for permits in Sydney, so don’t trust anyone calling themselves an agent, and don’t give them any money as it’s all a con.
Aunt Ada was here yesterday. Her husband has been in Yugoslavia for 8 years but she isn’t able to go there. Her son is in Palestine and is getting married next month. Mitzi is in Prague and is going well.
So, Pauli doesn’t need any boots then – he thought he would need them for going on farms and into the bush, but I suppose it isn’t necessary. He is still in the shop, thank G-d, for how much longer I don’t know; but they like him there, so perhaps they won’t let him go. Write whether the boxes have reached you yet, whether you paid anything for them and if there is space to keep them.
Today Tato and I had a bit of an ordeal – we had to get one tooth each pulled out and were so afraid to do it, but it is already over now. It had been bothering us for a while, and whilst Tato was quickly out the door, my roots had grown in so my operation lasted longer and I had to have an injection. Am happy that it is over.
Today the Dicker family underwent investigation since their Leo has been in America for 3 months and in 2 months’ time they are joining him. Yesterday Olga wrote, so I should let you know that she is still alive and that you should write to her. She sent us a photo with Heinzl.
Aunt Anna is not going too well, and am glad that Pauli is there with her. He’s not starving – I give him what I can, even though we can’t buy everything, and I always cook something for us to eat.
Has Richard Neumann visited you? And have you already gone to see Mrs Flügelman? G-d willing, we shall also make it so far.
I am a bit nervous from having my tooth pulled, but you say that you can read my writing. I haven’t heard any news today. Tato will also write something. I have to go and prepare the evening meal – potato puree so that we don’t have to chew anything. Write again soon and keep healthy,
A thousand kisses from your Mama.
Dear Leo,
I’ve just come from the shop and had a picture taken of myself in our car. You’ll get the photo in the next letter. It is very hot here; I’m sweating in the shop like a pig. I’ve been driving around the whole week in the car. Otherwise I don’t have anything new to report.
Many kisses,
Pauli
Many kisses,
Your Tatineck A. Steiner
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit