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[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]M2018/008:026
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]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.
As soon as Leo is established in Australia, friends and relatives are desperate to enjoin his help in the hopes of migrating to Australia themselves, including even those in Palestine who are growing tired of the Middle Eastern conflict. This letter is written by Jacques Kohn, the uncle of Leo's cousin-in-law Hans Kohn, who was still staying in the refugee camp in Fallanden, Switzerland at the time, where Leo also stayed. Jacques expresses his gratitude that Leo has managed to secure a job contract for his nephew in Australia, and asks Leo if he can do anything to help his brother in Buchenwald.
Unfortunately, despite Hans' work contract, Leo is ultimately never able to obtain a permit for him to travel.
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.
As soon as Leo is established in Australia, friends and relatives are desperate to enjoin his help in the hopes of migrating to Australia themselves, including even those in Palestine who are growing tired of the Middle Eastern conflict. This letter is written by Jacques Kohn, the uncle of Leo's cousin-in-law Hans Kohn, who was still staying in the refugee camp in Fallanden, Switzerland at the time, where Leo also stayed. Jacques expresses his gratitude that Leo has managed to secure a job contract for his nephew in Australia, and asks Leo if he can do anything to help his brother in Buchenwald.
Unfortunately, despite Hans' work contract, Leo is ultimately never able to obtain a permit for him to travel.
[nb-NO]Production place[nb-NO]Vienna, Austria
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO] 1939-03-05 - 1939-03-05
[nb-NO]Subject[nb-NO]Holocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, visa application, refugee experiences in Australia, family life, landing permit, Buchenwald concentration camp, concentration camps, concentration camps
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]letters
[nb-NO]Dimensions[nb-NO]
- letter length: 208.00 mm
letter width: 142.00 mm
envelope length: 160.00 mm
envelope width: 126.00 mm
[nb-NO]Language[nb-NO]
- German Dear Leo!
Even though I still haven’t heard anything from Hans, today I heard from your dear parents that he has received a work contract and thank you profusely for all of your trouble.
On the same note, I would like to ask you for a favour. It has to do with my brother-in-law, who is in Buchenwald. He is a goldsmith by profession as well as a master craftsman. I wanted to ask you if you could possibly find something for him, so that we can get him out of there. I know that if there is any possibility of helping me that you will seize upon the opportunity for me. His name is Hermann Beck, born in Vienna 24.5.1907.
We hope that when Hans is in Australia he’ll be able to offer us his help. I saw your dear parents today and heard great things about you.
With warm greetings and thanks from my wife and me,
Jacques Kohn
(Current address: Vienna, II, Nestroygasse 4/15)
[nb-NO]Credit line[nb-NO]Sydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit