When Angels Fooled the World: Rescuers of Jews in Wartime Hungary

In the years of Nazi occupation of Hungary, Hungarian Jews referred to their Gentile rescuers as "angels" -- these seemingly ordinary men and women could hardly explain their actions. "I did what I had to do almost unconsciously," said Lutheran Pastor Gabor Sztehlos. Scrawny Mr. Kanalas, a disreputable janitor, could chase away Nazi thugs without hesitation--where did such behavior come from and why? Erzesebet David was a weak and indecisive woman--where did she find the will to forge Christian birth certificates? Charles Fenyvesi and members of his family were on the helped by these angels. Thousands of others were helped by Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish consul whose actions surprised many who knew him. Fenyvesi writes as a historian and beneficiary of these modest angels who, with their actions in a time of absolute terror, soared while others crawled.



About the Author
Charles Fenyvesi is a former staff writer for The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report. He now edits an electronic newsletter on human rights, Bigotry Monitor from Dickerson, Maryland.