Object numberM2018/008:060
Description
In 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 was sent by Leo’s mother in Vienna via a connection named Max Soffer in Philadelphia due to censorship restrictions. Leo’s parents have been evicted from their apartment and forced to live with strangers in the Jewish quarter of Leopoldstadt. The letter shows much anxiety, reading for example, “with G-d’s help we’ll be together again one day.” The letter also contains a note written by Adolf, who at the time of writing was quite gravely ill. His lines arguably read like a last letter to his son, telling him that he and his brother must always look out for each other. In the month after writing, Adolf Steiner would pass away from pneumonia.
In 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 was sent by Leo’s mother in Vienna via a connection named Max Soffer in Philadelphia due to censorship restrictions. Leo’s parents have been evicted from their apartment and forced to live with strangers in the Jewish quarter of Leopoldstadt. The letter shows much anxiety, reading for example, “with G-d’s help we’ll be together again one day.” The letter also contains a note written by Adolf, who at the time of writing was quite gravely ill. His lines arguably read like a last letter to his son, telling him that he and his brother must always look out for each other. In the month after writing, Adolf Steiner would pass away from pneumonia.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1940-08-04 - 1940-08-04
SubjectHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, refugee experiences in Australia, postal restrictions
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 210.00 mm
letter width: 148.00 mm
envelope length: 166.00 mm
envelope width: 94.00 mm
Language
- German My dearest child,
Every day I wait for a couple of lines from you and hope you are healthy. From us I can only inform you that dear Tato is a little better. We had no news from you for a long term and were worried. I have already written to Hansi twice but didn’t get an answer, nor from Aunt Pepi. Pauli is still in Yugoslavia and will be there for quite a while. Aunt Pepi sends him clothes and shoes, so he gets parcels with lots of different things from her. She also writes to us that we should join her. She already has wood and coal for the winter, so we would be warm, but unfortunately there is no way for us to get there.
Uncle Edy has left Milan; Aunt Anna is still there, I don’t know for how long. Maybe she will move on. Do you know Olga’s address? - if so, write also to Mr Willi Lilien, 1417 Grand Concourse, Bronx NY.
We are now living in the 2nd District, Upper Donaustrasse 9/14. We have a small room in the home of some nice people. Tomorrow Byli’s father-in-law will call to say if he has heard anything from the children. We aren’t going anywhere much. Tato finds it hard to go out so we only head outside towards evening. We don’t have many visitors. Thank G-d that I have been healthy up until now. I work all day, tidying, in the kitchen and washing, and so the time goes by. It’s just that I miss you two [Leo and Pauli] wherever I am.
We receive mail from Pauli each week and thank G-d that he is well. Everyone likes him because he is so diligent and witty. Yesterday he wrote that you dropped him a couple of lines via a doctor and that he was very happy to hear from you.
My most beautiful Leonku, write more often to Olga and Masel. We are content so long as we keep getting letters from you two; it is your letters that keep me alive.
I’ll write again soon. Keep healthy and look after yourself.
Thousands of kisses from,
Your Mama
My dear Jonas!
I don’t have much to write as your mother has already written everything about us. We’d be so happy if you and Pauli could be with us. I could hardly write this - but you two brothers must always help each other in case your mother and I are not around anymore. Our only care is you both. Thank G-d Pauli is well and that what we hear from you is also good. With G-d’s help we’ll all be together again one day. Take good care of yourself.
Many kisses,
Your Tatineck Adolf Steiner
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit