Номер объектаM2018/008:031
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.
Once established in Australia, friends and relatives of Leo's 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 is a draft letter from Leo to Swiss acquaintances Mr and Mrs Mil, regretting that he could not secure any employment for them in Australia, since demand is high and many people are applying on behalf of their relatives in Europe. He advises the couple on how to find their way to Australia by other means. Alongside the difficulty of migrating to Australia as a Jewish refugee in the Holocaust era, this letter also represents the uncertainty faced by Swiss Jews at the time of writing.
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, friends and relatives of Leo's 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 is a draft letter from Leo to Swiss acquaintances Mr and Mrs Mil, regretting that he could not secure any employment for them in Australia, since demand is high and many people are applying on behalf of their relatives in Europe. He advises the couple on how to find their way to Australia by other means. Alongside the difficulty of migrating to Australia as a Jewish refugee in the Holocaust era, this letter also represents the uncertainty faced by Swiss Jews at the time of writing.
Место изготовленияSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Дата 1939-03-31 - 1939-03-31
ТемаHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugee experiences in Australia, refugees, refugees, visa application, landing permit
Наименованиеletters
Размерность
- letter length: 252.00 mm
letter width: 197.00 mm
Язык
- German Dear Mr and Mrs Mil,
I received your lovely letter from the 17th this month and would like to convey my warmest thanks for the dollars you sent me, which really were not necessary.
Regarding potential work contracts in Australia, unfortunately I have to report that I was unable to find anything for you. I enquired with many people, but it’s hard since everyone is looking for jobs for their relatives because all the Jews here have someone to answer to in Europe. Many friends and relatives are writing to me at the moment, but despite my desire to help them it isn’t always possible.
I sought advice on your particular situation, and learned that you should write yourselves to Australia House, the Strand, London W.2. Describe your objective of migrating to Australia with your family and give all the required details. The most important thing is to tell them how much capital you possess currently, and that you will soon transfer it to a bank in Sydney. People say here that it’s relatively easy for people to come to Australia if they have some capital. It also helps that you are Swiss nationals. With your current funds you can start a good life. Your currency is worth about 25% than our pounds. You can only imagine how glad I would be to have you here with your family. I have also opened a little account in the biggest bank here, since I must save for when, G-d willing, my parents join me.
Concerning business, you could do very well in your sector here – I only wish you were already on your way to Australia. (At the same time, we’re having a bit of a crisis at the moment, which has also had an effect on the situation of Europeans coming here).
My dear Mr Mil, I ask you please to not be upset with me. You can’t imagine how hard it is to find someone here who will take people on, since employers look for a guarantee of 5 years. (Although I will keep looking for you).
Keep trying however to enquire about getting a permit, and if you want to secure your capital, deposit it into the “Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia,” the largest national bank of Australia and also the only one that pays interest.
Whilst I am always available to you if you are seeking further information, I wish you, your wife and the dear Rus (even if somewhat belatedly) the best of health and all the best for Pesach,
Warmest regards,
Yours,
Leo Steiner
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit