Номер объектаM2018/008:034
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, 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. In this letter from Hermine Steiner to Leo, she asks if he can speed up the permit application process by appealing to his firm, Hardy Bros, for help. She writes that she cried a lot on the 10 month anniversary of his departure. She is also concerned for Paul, as there is not much for him to do apart from keep shop, due to restrictions on Jews in public spaces. Hermine apparently becomes stressed when she has not received mail from Leo for a while. At this point and as alluded to in the letter, the Steiners are partially financially dependent on Hermine’s brother Alfred in Prague.
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. In this letter from Hermine Steiner to Leo, she asks if he can speed up the permit application process by appealing to his firm, Hardy Bros, for help. She writes that she cried a lot on the 10 month anniversary of his departure. She is also concerned for Paul, as there is not much for him to do apart from keep shop, due to restrictions on Jews in public spaces. Hermine apparently becomes stressed when she has not received mail from Leo for a while. At this point and as alluded to in the letter, the Steiners are partially financially dependent on Hermine’s brother Alfred in Prague.
Место изготовленияVienna, Austria
Дата 1939-04-19 - 1939-04-19
ТемаHolocaust, Nazi political activities (1933-1939), refugee experiences in Australia, refugees, refugees, visa application, Jews in Vienna, landing permit, family life
Наименованиеletters
Размерность
- letter length: 209.00 mm
letter width: 148.00 mm
envelope length: 162.00 mm
envelope width: 114.00 mm
Язык
- German My dearest Leo,
Letting you know that we are in good health, thank G-d, and hope to hear the same from you. Today on 19.4 we still don’t have any post, so am worried; I got your letter from 28.7 on 11.4 and still haven’t received any letters this week, so am waiting for tomorrow to see if anything comes. I wanted to post a letter this week but it was already too late and it was returned to me… (illegible).
Did you get a reply from Switzerland? Leonku, please make another request for London – maybe we could leave from there. Unfortunately we aren’t able to arrange anything here. I despair for our Bubi [Paul Steiner, Leo’s brother]. He is so nervous and I can’t blame him; he has spent months at home now and can’t go anywhere, including the cinema. When he comes over he just sits in the living room or the kitchen. If only we knew whether we would receive the permit soon, for Pauli, too… The uncertainty is killing me.
There are always different formalities; Mrs Flügelman has had her permit for a month, but is yet to get her ship tickets; without a permit there is no way of ensuring oneself a ticket. Leonku if you want, and I don’t know how this works, you could chase it up through your firm, as it has been 3 months already since you applied for us. The dear G-d above will help us to get out of this place; even so my greatest worries are for our Bubi. Your firm should have a certain influence, so inquire with the secretary or with somebody else; I know that you have little time, but for your parents nothing is too much. First worry about us then inquire for Uncle Edi as well, and for Anna.
Today Kati wrote that she got a letter from you, which she was so pleased about. So, did you have fun at the (unclear)? – don’t go on any hunting excursions, only to the cinema or dances or the theatre. Pauli hasn’t stepped out for 8 months.
If it is colder where you are, wear a jumper and long socks, so that you don’t get a cough. Leonku, do get your teeth looked at.
We don’t do anything when I don’t have any errands to run, so I play cards with Tato… (unclear). On Sundays Uncle and Auntie come to us and Tato plays with Uncle – I don’t have much patience for it. Leonku, your uncle sends his regards; you should write to his address telling him that you have applied for him and that he has prospects. They still haven’t gotten any cards from anyone.
Leonku, if you write to Prague congratulate Uncle Alfred because he got married to Juliska. He transferred us 500 crowns three weeks ago but we haven’t received it yet. We can exchange it for 50 marks but we don’t know when we’ll get it.
I am always so worried when your letters arrive late – it ruins the whole day. I know that you are writing, but there are storms at the moment so there must be some delay.
17.4 marked ten months since I last saw you. I cried so much out of longing for you. G-d will help me so that I will be able to see you again and that we four will all be together again.
Sending our greetings to the Mondschein and Kranz families. We haven’t received any letters yet this April. Did you get a raise or do you earn the same amount as before? You’ve already been earning plenty. Thank G-d that you’ve already been able to earn some money.
Leonku, if possible we will send off the suitcases next week as they take 4 months to arrive. That’s all for today and as I send you one thousand kisses, keep yourself properly healthy for me,
Your Mama.
Dear Leo. Am healthy, hoping to hear the same of you. I have signed myself up at a library and am reading good books. Otherwise nothing new. Till next time. Paul.
My dearest Jonas! Letting you know that I am going pretty well. I’m going to the countryside to sun myself. Your Mama has written everything. Many kisses, your Tato Adolf Steiner
Note from Hermine:
Today 18.4 still no post came, am worried. Write one letter per week. A thousand kisses, your Mama.
I brought this letter back from the post on 18.4 and tore off the bit where Pauli and Tato have written.
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit