ObjectnummerM2018/008:013
BeschrijvingIn 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.
Whilst Leo is staying in Zurich, he has little or no income of his own and is partially reliant on the food packages his mother sends him for sustenance. In one letter, Leo’s mother is concerned that he won’t have enough money to pay the dentist in Zurich, implying Leo is living in a state of relative poverty. In the July-December period, his mother writes to him approximately 30 times expressing her concern for his welfare, usually describing various care packages that she has just posted and that Leo should expect to receive in the coming days. This letter from Leo's mother, Hermine, with short notes from Adolf Steiner and her sister Anna Seifter, confirms that Leo has received his landing permit. Hermine warns that it is cold on board ships and asks him if she can send another suitcase. She also mentions the difficulty faced by her younger son, Paul, in potentially leaving the country as he does not have a passport.
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.
Whilst Leo is staying in Zurich, he has little or no income of his own and is partially reliant on the food packages his mother sends him for sustenance. In one letter, Leo’s mother is concerned that he won’t have enough money to pay the dentist in Zurich, implying Leo is living in a state of relative poverty. In the July-December period, his mother writes to him approximately 30 times expressing her concern for his welfare, usually describing various care packages that she has just posted and that Leo should expect to receive in the coming days. This letter from Leo's mother, Hermine, with short notes from Adolf Steiner and her sister Anna Seifter, confirms that Leo has received his landing permit. Hermine warns that it is cold on board ships and asks him if she can send another suitcase. She also mentions the difficulty faced by her younger son, Paul, in potentially leaving the country as he does not have a passport.
Vervaardiging plaatsVienna, Austria
Datum 1938-11-22 - 1938-11-22
OnderwerpHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugees, refugees, family life, landing permit, visa application, refugee experiences in Australia, refugee camps
Objectnaamletters
Formaat
- letter length: 268.00 mm
letter width: 216.00 mm
envelope length: 145.00 mm
envelope width: 116.00 mm
Taal
- German My dearest Leo,
It was a pleasure for us to receive your lovely cards and letters. I am so happy that you have received your permit - I cannot describe what I am feeling.
We are in good health, thank G-d, just take care and look after yourself; you must dress warmly for the journey as it will be very cold on board. I’m going to send you the suit and warm pyjamas – I want to send you several things so long as it is not too much for you to carry; so let me know if I can send you a suitcase with 20kg.
Pauli is going to take a transport to Miki, and we are also leaving soon, where we don’t know yet but I will write to you when we have our passports, since we must leave by the end of January. Don’t worry about us though – tomorrow on Monday the 21st Tato and Pauli are going to take care of the passport situation. They’re also going to inquire about whether you can apply for us to join you if we’re in Palestine with Miki.
Write immediately whether I can send you the suitcase, if you won’t have too much to carry. Write everything to me thoroughly on a card, including whether you have enough money. You could also send me the address of your firm in Sydney if you have it, since I don’t know where we should address our things to when we send them, whether to Miki or to your company, as we don’t know at this stage where we are going. I’ll write to you in a couple of weeks once we know.
I now worry much less about you since I learnt that you got your permit, thank G-d, although I still worry so much about Pauli; our greatest comfort will be to get away from here. I am so happy that you are travelling with Mondschein, so that you’ll at least have a friend along the way. I think it will be too much for you to take another suitcase actually, as who would help you schlep it from Zurich to France for the ship? – I worry about that. If it is too much then I’ll only send the suit and the pyjamas, or you could leave the smaller bag and the briefcase behind so that you don’t have too much luggage. Buy yourself some things to eat for the journey – ask the cultural committee for money or borrow some from Mrs Lerner and I’ll reimburse you.
Write to me straight away and clearly, but don’t worry yourself over us; the dear G-d will help us to go someplace else. Tato will also leave a note for you.
Kisses from your Mama and Pauli, who is being so good.
Dear Leo,
Letting you know that we are all in good health. Look after yourself and don’t forget to think always of your parents and brother. Many kisses, your Tato.
[mostly illegible note from aunt Anna Seifter]
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit