Номер объектаM2018/008:050
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 tries to secure landing permits for his family to join him, but to no avail. All three of his immediate family members would ultimately perish during WWII. Before his eventual death at the hands of fascist insurgents in Yugoslavia, Paul Steiner hopes to reach Palestine via illegal means with his youth movement, Hechalutz.
This letter is from Aunt Josefina Steiner (a.k.a. “Aunt Pepi”) in Novisad to Leo. Whilst Paul’s group is moored in Kladovo, Yugoslavia, Pepi is unable to visit him as he is too close to the Romanian border (Romania being an Axis country). Pepi writes that the Steiners’ extended family in Palestine is excited to meet Paul when he arrives. She also informs Leo that no more parcels may be sent to Austria, meaning she is unable to continue supporting Hermine and Adolf through material donations.
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 tries to secure landing permits for his family to join him, but to no avail. All three of his immediate family members would ultimately perish during WWII. Before his eventual death at the hands of fascist insurgents in Yugoslavia, Paul Steiner hopes to reach Palestine via illegal means with his youth movement, Hechalutz.
This letter is from Aunt Josefina Steiner (a.k.a. “Aunt Pepi”) in Novisad to Leo. Whilst Paul’s group is moored in Kladovo, Yugoslavia, Pepi is unable to visit him as he is too close to the Romanian border (Romania being an Axis country). Pepi writes that the Steiners’ extended family in Palestine is excited to meet Paul when he arrives. She also informs Leo that no more parcels may be sent to Austria, meaning she is unable to continue supporting Hermine and Adolf through material donations.
Место изготовленияNovi Sad, Serbia
Дата 1940-01-04 - 1940-01-04
ТемаHolocaust, refugees, refugees, family life, aliyah, Kladovo Transport, Zionism, youth movements, Hechalutz
Наименованиеletters
Размерность
- letter length: 228.00 mm
letter width: 144.00 mm
envelope length: 176.00 mm
envelope width: 139.00 mm
Язык
- German My dear (good) Leo,
Today I received a letter from Paul from Kladovo which is here in Yugoslavia, but unfortunately on the Rumanian border so we can’t visit him. They will be spending the whole winter there. He asks that you wire him (send by telegram) 2 Pounds. I am sending him today 100 Dinar and tomorrow a little parcel with something to eat and soap. He writes that he is doing fine, sleeps well, has a place to wash, and that being on the ship is a lot of fun. I also have mail from your beloved parents where they say they’ve sent me a letter from you but to date I haven’t received it. From Palestine people wrote that they are waiting longingly for Paul; now they can wait for another 2-3 months. So, dear child, if it is possible for you to fulfil your brother’s request, his address is:
Paul Steiner
Agentia J.R. S.
Brod “Car Nikolai II”
Kladovo
Yugoslavia
We are all healthy and hope to hear very soon the same from you.
Many kisses
Pepi, [unclear] and children
Unfortunately, we can’t send parcels to your dear parents any more. This has been stopped.
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Pauline Shavit