About Partners Education Contributors

The Leo Baeck Institute – New York | Berlin presents the year 1938 through the eyes of Jews, whose personal documents detail their experiences and the hardships they suffered as well as the growing tensions in Europe and diminishing hope for Jews in Germany and Austria.

Curated by Leo Baeck Institute – New York | Berlin

Website and exhibition design by C&G Partners

1

TUESDAY

The power of hope

A mere promise gives new hope

“Nobody who does not know the circumstances can imagine in what desolate condition we were during the last months and how changed we are now after your dear letter. We are filled with new vigor, courage and willingness to work - and all this is due to you.”

Vienna/Brooklyn

In the absence of closer relatives in America, the Metzger family of Vienna turned to their first cousin once removed, Leo Klauber, Esq., in Brooklyn, for help. Mr. Klauber was unable to personally procure affidavits for his Austrian relatives, but he promised to endeavor on their behalf. The extent of the relief caused by his promise is palpable in Eva Metzger-Hohenstein’s reply of November 1, 1938: after months of fear and despair, the Metzgers felt reinvigorated by the realistic hope for emigration, thanks to their cousin.

TAGS: AFFIDAVITS, ANSCHLUSS, BROOKLYN, EMIGRATION, FAMILY, IMMIGRATION, IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES, LETTER, NOVEMBER 1, TRANSNATIONAL NETWORKS, VIENNA, VISA APPLICATION