In 1933 Mahler was appointed to his first post at the University of Königsberg but, before he could take up the post, Hitler came to power. Mahler realised at once that, as he was Jewish, he had to leave Germany.
Sa 1933 Mahler ay hihirangin upang angkinin ang kanyang unang paskil sa Unibersidad ng Königsberg ngunit, bago siya ay maaaring umabot ng hanggang sa post, Hitler ang dumating sa kapangyarihan.