International March of the Living Board Member Shimon Yarel, and Deputy CEO Revital Revital Yakin Krakovsky, with Rakefet Sanesh-Shkiler, and Gali and Tamar Krakovsky at a wreath laying ceremony in memory of Hanna Szenesh in Budapest. The ceremony marked the beginning of International March of the Living events commemorating 80 years since the destruction of Hungarian Jewry in the Holocaust. Photo @ Andras Mayer
Jewish heroine Hannah Senesh grew up in Hungary, immigrated to the land of Israel and embarked on a mission to save Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. 80 years after Hannah was captured, tortured and murdered, Rakefet Senesh Shekiler, granddaughter of Giora Senesh, Hannah’s brother, stood by the monument in her name, speaking of the heroine from a personal family perspective and of the inspiration she instills in her. This is what Rakefet said when laying a wreath at the monument in Budapest.
“In October 1938, at the age of 17, Hannah wrote in her diary: “I don’t remember whether I’ve already mentioned that I’m a Zionist. It is a word that says a great deal. I’ll summarize what it means to me: I feel that I am now a conscious Jew with all my might. I am proud of my Judaism and I intend to immigrate to the land of Israel and help build it”. One year later, in September 1939, just as WWII broke out, Hannah left all that she knew behind and immigrated to Israel. While on the ship, she wrote a letter to her mother: “I believe that I am on the most important journey of my life. I am convinced that I have made the right decision”.
Hannah Senesh parachuted into Northern Yugoslavia in March of 1944. The Hungarians caught her with the transmitter after she crossed the border. She was held and tortured in prison, without revealing the transmitter’s code. She was executed by the Hungarian Nazis, without a court verdict, on November 7th 1944. In the personal effects given to her mother, she found a note – “My dear mother, I can say only this – a million thanks. You alone will understand why there is no need for words here. With endless love, your daughter”.
I stand here today in memory of Bella, Katarina, Giora and Hannah Senesh, in memory of Hungarian Jewry. As I stand by the statue of Hannah her with her eyes shut facing the sky, I feel a strong connection to the plea and prayer that she expressed in her poem “A Walk to Caesarea”. That short and powerful poem joins my prayer for the return of all of the hostages and for us to be able to live in peace in our country– we have no other.
Revital Yakin-Krakovsky, Deputy CEO of the International March of the Living: stated:
“Hannah Senesh will forever be etched in our collective memory as the brave paratrooper who volunteered on a daring espionage mission in Europe. A mission from which she did not return. Despite knowing the risks, Hannah Senesh was willing to sacrifice her own life to save Jews from the Holocaust raging in her city, Budapest, while the moment of liberation was nearing.”
“But Hannah’s heritage and valor are not a thing of the past. They are our present and future because we have encountered the courage, daring and robustness that characterized Hannah Senesh and have defined the women of Israel since the massacre of October 7th.
“Over the painful last six months, we’ve seen woman in combat posts and tanks, attacking targets on a life saving quest, evacuating casualties under fire and fighting with valor and resourcefulness.”
“Our released female hostages, bravely and painfully revealed the atrocities that they endured, but their voices were not heard. There are still female hostages in Gaza, undergoing abuse and molestation – and the world continues to turn a blind eye.”
“In these times, as our brethren around the world are facing a huge wave of antisemitism and hate, we truly understand Hannah’s yearning to help Israel, to take risks, think of others and not of herself. As Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches, through her inspiring example, we understand the true meaning of courage.“
This ceremony was part of the March of the Living program “From Budapest to Auschwitz”. A March of the Living will take place in Hungary on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed by a March in Poland on the next day on Yom Hashoah.
#TogetherWeRemember #MOTL2024 #NeverMeansNever
