Object numberM2018/008:046
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.
Both Aunt and Uncle Anna and Abraham Seifter (on Leo's mother's side) eventually decide to relocate to Italy in July despite restrictions on bringing money into the country and the lack of financial support from Jewish organisations in Italy. This letter is from Leo’s maternal aunt, Anna, and her husband, Abraham (although Abraham’s section is clear, Anna’s has been deemed “illegible”) to Leo in Sydney. The Seifters cannot afford to send airmail at this point as they are struggling to make a living in Milan. Abraham writes here that they are planning on fleeing illegally to France. The letter also states that Paul Steiner, Leo’s younger brother, tried to join the Seifters but was rejected at the Italian border, although the reason for this is not stated.
Anna and Abraham Seifter were eventually taken to the US refugee shelter in Fort Ontario, New York State, after liberation from Ferramonti-Tarsia concentration camp in 1943. Fort Ontario was the only official concerted effort by the US government to accommodate Jewish refugees.
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.
Both Aunt and Uncle Anna and Abraham Seifter (on Leo's mother's side) eventually decide to relocate to Italy in July despite restrictions on bringing money into the country and the lack of financial support from Jewish organisations in Italy. This letter is from Leo’s maternal aunt, Anna, and her husband, Abraham (although Abraham’s section is clear, Anna’s has been deemed “illegible”) to Leo in Sydney. The Seifters cannot afford to send airmail at this point as they are struggling to make a living in Milan. Abraham writes here that they are planning on fleeing illegally to France. The letter also states that Paul Steiner, Leo’s younger brother, tried to join the Seifters but was rejected at the Italian border, although the reason for this is not stated.
Anna and Abraham Seifter were eventually taken to the US refugee shelter in Fort Ontario, New York State, after liberation from Ferramonti-Tarsia concentration camp in 1943. Fort Ontario was the only official concerted effort by the US government to accommodate Jewish refugees.
Production placeMilan, Italy
Production date 1939-09-02 - 1939-09-02
SubjectHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, illegal immigrants
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 321.00 mm
letter width: 219.00 mm
envelope length: 142.00 mm
envelope width: 117.00 mm
Language
- German Dear Leonku!
I wrote you a letter around four weeks ago via airmail, and am amazed that we still haven’t had a response from you. Perhaps you didn’t receive the letter, since I know that you are very punctual.
I have nothing particular to report from our end, except that we are [unclear], and for another thing I can’t take on any work. The few pennies that we brought with us will soon come to an end. Uncle Alfred can’t send us anything at the moment because the postal service doesn’t allow it. It’s not possible for him to transfer us money through a bank either.
[Unclear]… we wanted to go from here to France but have little money, yet we must get over there, even if it is by force or illegally through the mountains by foot. It’s also possible to take the sea route with a motorboat, which only takes three hours to get there, but this costs 700 lira per person which we don’t have.
We receive post every week from your lovely parents. Today your mother also wrote to us that she can’t send airmail any more. You’ll still receive post but it will take longer. I would have liked very much to send you this letter via airmail but we lack the funds for it. Sending a letter by airmail costs 5 lira, which is a lot of money; you can live on that for a day here.
You will probably already know that Pauli was at the Italian border and was sent back. I am glad that he isn’t here, as it would have gone the same way for him as it has for us. There is no support from Cultural Committees here so one is better off at home. We have been here for 7 weeks already.
Dear Leo, what your mother wrote to us is very important. With the things that she sent over to Sydney for you there is also [unclear] enclosed – be careful with it as it is a keepsake. You may open it if you like.
I think I’ve nagged you enough; I know full well that you have your own concerns, but what I write always comes from the heart. Write to us about how you are going. We wish you all the best health and happiness.
Sending you warmest regards and kisses,
Your Uncle Eduard [Abraham Seifter].
[Anna Seifter has also written a portion, but this is illegible.]
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit