Object numberM2018/008:071
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 is from Leo’s mother, Hermine, in Vienna, sent via Leo's Aunt Josefina "Pepi" Steiner in Novi Sad due to postal restrictions. Hermine communicates her great pleasure upon receiving Leo’s last letter. She also discusses her mixed feelings over her other son Paul’s marriage in Sabac, Yugoslavia so shortly after the demise of her husband Adolf. Although somewhat offended, Hermine notes that, “my being hurt doesn’t do any good; he is no longer so alone, and has someone who looks out for him and surrounds him with love.” As usual, Hermine expresses her great longing to see her children again in the letter, although, tragically, this would never take place.
Paul Steiner was previously stranded in Kladovo, a remote port in Yugoslavia, with his youth movement on the way to Palestine before being relocated to Sabac. Later in 1941, Paul would be shot along with most of the other men of the Kladovo Transport by fascist insurgents near Zasavica, Macva. According to this letter, Paul is supported generously in Sabac by Aunt Pepi at the time of writing.
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 is from Leo’s mother, Hermine, in Vienna, sent via Leo's Aunt Josefina "Pepi" Steiner in Novi Sad due to postal restrictions. Hermine communicates her great pleasure upon receiving Leo’s last letter. She also discusses her mixed feelings over her other son Paul’s marriage in Sabac, Yugoslavia so shortly after the demise of her husband Adolf. Although somewhat offended, Hermine notes that, “my being hurt doesn’t do any good; he is no longer so alone, and has someone who looks out for him and surrounds him with love.” As usual, Hermine expresses her great longing to see her children again in the letter, although, tragically, this would never take place.
Paul Steiner was previously stranded in Kladovo, a remote port in Yugoslavia, with his youth movement on the way to Palestine before being relocated to Sabac. Later in 1941, Paul would be shot along with most of the other men of the Kladovo Transport by fascist insurgents near Zasavica, Macva. According to this letter, Paul is supported generously in Sabac by Aunt Pepi at the time of writing.
Production placeSabac, Serbia
Production date 1941-02-11 - 1941-02-11
SubjectHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, Kladovo Transport, youth movements, aliyah, Zionism, Hechalutz, postal restrictions
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- letter length: 295.00 mm
letter width: 208.00 mm
envelope length: 175.00 mm
envelope width: 137.00 mm
Language
- German My dearest Leo,
Am letting you know that I am well and hope to hear only good things from your end. I was thrilled with your letter. I got worried though as I’m not used to not hearing from you for such a long time, so I hope you’ll write more often. I get post from Pauli twice a week. Yesterday it was his 20th birthday, and in a couple of days it’ll be your 23rd. I think of you both all day long – if only I could give you two a little kiss, I’d feel a lot better, but instead all I have is pain and longing.
What did you say to Pauli about his getting married? I was very upset that he married so soon after our good Tato’s passing. However, my being hurt doesn’t do any good; he is no longer so alone, and has someone who looks out for him and surrounds him with love. So I wish them happiness. Dear Aunt Pepi looks after him as if he were her own child. She sends him clothes, linens, shoes, food parcels and even cards and money. I don’t know how I will repay her, but I hope dear G-d will recompense her thousandfold for her troubles.
I received mail this week from Aunt Anna and Uncle Edy. Uncle writes that Aunty will join him soon, so he won’t be so lonely.
Uncle Alfred is so good to me, and is supporting me like before. The Hasenberg children often send me parcels from Prague – they make sure that I have everything. I’m not missing anything, only my good husband, plus you and Pauli. It would make me so happy if I were with you two, but unfortunately it is not the case.
I hope you won’t keep me waiting so long again before I hear from you. Have you received a letter from Ernstl? He promised me he would write to you. Keep well and a thousand kisses from your Mama.
Why don’t you write anything about your fiancée? She should write as well. Pauli’s wife writes very nice things in all his cards.
Attempted translation by Beatie Pearlman 14.10.2015 edited by Isabella Hellig-Smith 7.2.2018. Translation also attempted by Eva Majer 18.8.2015.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit