Номер объектаM2018/008:007
ОписаниеIn 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. In this letter, Hermine Steiner urges her son to eat properly and avoid catching cold.
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. In this letter, Hermine Steiner urges her son to eat properly and avoid catching cold.
Место изготовленияVienna, Austria
Дата 1938-09-20 - 1938-09-20
ТемаNazi political activities (1933-1939), Holocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, refugee experiences in Australia
Наименованиеletters
Размерность
- letter length: 188.00 mm
letter width: 143.00 mm
envelope length: 149.00 mm
envelope width: 100.00 mm
Язык
- German Dearest Leonku,
I received your 3 cards and the card from 17.9 with great pleasure, as always when I hear that you are in good health.
Take care and look after yourself so that you don’t catch cold. I am so sorry to hear that you didn’t take your winter coat with you; it is very hard to send parcels over because we are busy and I have little time.
Last week I sent you 2 parcels, and you only received one of them. One contained good salami from Pepik [last name unclear] and the second the small salamis with a little piece of cheese… [unclear] from Aunt Ruza. I have just sent you another parcel with small salamis and a few biscuits, so write when you get it.
I thought that you didn’t have to pay anything to pick up the parcels, and you write that you had to pay 70 shillings for them, which bothers me. I don’t like that you have to pay 20 shillings every time.
I think Aunt Anna also sent a parcel so that you would have something for the holidays. If I had known that Lelli was coming I would have sent you more, but I only found out on Friday morning so have just sent you the schnitzel for now, and quickly, since Gänze had sold out. If I come across something else I will send it to you.
Today Olga wrote that she had written a letter to you and enclosed 1 dollar – write to us if you receive it and be sure to thank her and Willy. I hear very little from Prague, though just like me they have great concerns. Aunt Pepi also wrote but I don’t think she’ll be able to do anything for us because they don’t allow anyone to enter [Yugoslavia]. Olga wrote that an affidavit is on its way for Ilush, and that for Pauli they must… [unclear], which will take a long time. Where does one find the energy to bear up? – He wants to leave so much.
Write whether I should still send your coat over after the holidays, as it is already cold over there. I think Mrs Fred would also like to send you something this week, though I will have no time. I am too alone alone. I’ll send you a parcel after the holidays. After the first set of holidays I’ll send you 10 Reichmarks so that you can fix yourself up a bit, since it won’t be possible to send anything this month; we can only send something once per month.
I am sorry enough to be spending the first set of holidays without you; I cry at every meal, thinking of you and how you must be feeling. It is already colder here, and I am wearing a warm jacket, wondering whether you are not cold with all of your lighter garments. Should I send you a warm blanket? – Write to me.
Pauli is in the shop and has taken your parcel with him to the post. Did Mr Mondschein reply to you? He also still doesn’t have his permit, and who knows when you will get yours. It said in the newspapers here that all the emigrants in Switzerland will be given work provided they know a trade. Look into it, and so long as you don’t have your permit it could be a possibility for you; I would prefer it if you weren’t so far away. I should have mercy on the dear G-d over our situation, I am … [unclear].
Why are you angry with Pickles? You know that I don’t like these sorts of situations so you must come to terms with him. He is a poor wretch so don’t do wrong by him. Mr Pickles is also coming here less often; be good. Write soon. I wish that you remain in good health and that the dear G-d grants you happiness, just as I wish that we one day shall all be together again.
Kisses from your Mama, who loves you very much. Also from Tato and Pauli many greetings and kisses. Write soon. We received the pictures.
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit