Номер объектаM2018/008:087
Описание
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.
Whilst in Australia, Leo remains in contact with a wide network of friends and family. This letter, written after the end of the war in late 1945, is from Leo’s friend and former cousin-in-law, Hans Kohn, from a settlement in the Dominican Republic, where he sought refuge during the war. Hans expresses his disappointment that Leo does not write to him any longer and asks if there is any opportunity for him to emigrate to Australia. He also writes that he is tired of the situation he is in, where the location is remote and women are few. During the war, Leo was able to find work for Hans in Australia, but was ultimately unable to secure a landing permit for his friend to join him.
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.
Whilst in Australia, Leo remains in contact with a wide network of friends and family. This letter, written after the end of the war in late 1945, is from Leo’s friend and former cousin-in-law, Hans Kohn, from a settlement in the Dominican Republic, where he sought refuge during the war. Hans expresses his disappointment that Leo does not write to him any longer and asks if there is any opportunity for him to emigrate to Australia. He also writes that he is tired of the situation he is in, where the location is remote and women are few. During the war, Leo was able to find work for Hans in Australia, but was ultimately unable to secure a landing permit for his friend to join him.
Место изготовленияSosúa, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Дата 1945-11-19 - 1945-11-19
Темаrefugees, landing permit, refugee experiences in Australia, rebuilding lives, Dominican Republic, Dominican Jews, post World War II
Наименованиеletters
Размерность
- letter length: 214.00 mm
letter width: 141.00 mm
envelope length: 165.00 mm
envelope width: 92.00 mm
Язык
- German Hans Kohn
Sosua Settlement
Puerto Plata
Dominican Republic
19 Nov 45
Dear Leo!
Years have passed since I last heard anything from you, even though I have written to you several times from here as well as from Switzerland. Bernhard and I exchange letters, so he told me your address as well as that you are married and are going well. Bernhard also asked me to convey his greetings to you if I were to write.
What is new with you, dear Leo? Have you heard from your dear mother or Pauli? My dear father passed away in Shanghai. Poldi was in Mauritius (in an English colony) and Walter in Cairo, Egypt with the army lately. Unfortunately I haven’t received anything from either of them for half a year.
I have been here for nearly 5 years now. I am not going terribly but I have had enough of the current situation, as we are many hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest decently large town; we live in a small village that was founded out of the settlement. Many people are now going to the US from here, as it is not too far. I am trying to get the papers for myself to go at the moment, although evidently till now without success. There are many young fellows here and no women, which is one of the biggest problems; I think everything will fall apart here as nobody wants to stay.
I was a farmer for 3 years and worked a lot, milking cows though not harvesting any fruit. The climate here also causes me difficulties though thank G-d that I am in good health. All in all I want to get away from here as quickly as possible. A few people here are also trying to go to Australia and have handed in their applications. Dear Leo, do you believe that there are any migration opportunities over there? Please write if you think there are any possibilities.
Bernhard is separated from Sissy and is doing well.
I hope that you’ll keep the promise, which you made to me as we left each other at Zurich central station, that you would always write to me. Be good and write to me thoroughly about what is new with you and in Australia, and don’t forget your friend as you have until the present time. Remember our good times touring the Gesäuse and our time together in Switzerland. I would be very pleased to hear from you and hope that you will surely respond to my message soon.
I will finish writing here for today, and send my warm greetings to you and your spouse,
Your friend Hans.
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit