Karolina and Zsuzsanna Reszeli declared ”Righteous among the Nations”
Karolina Reszeli and her late mother Zsuzsanna
were declared ”Righteous among the Nations,” the highest honor bestowed
by Yad Vashem, the ”Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance
Authority.” The decision was ratified by the retired Supreme Justice,
Mr. Jacob Turkel, Chairman of the Commission for Designation of the
Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem.
On October 27, 2008, the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation distinguished Karolina and Zsuzsanna Reszeli in an event
organized at the John Wesley Theological College in Budapest. Two
medals were presented to the Reszelis at the event: The Raoul
Wallenberg Medal and The Esfira Maiman Women Rescuers Medal
and their respective diplomas. At the same time, the International
Raoul Wallenberg Foundation documented the dossier and presented it to
Yad Vashem with a strong recommendation to have both women declared
Righteous among the Nations.
Ilonka Kalman and her 18-year-old
son Steve Kalman (today Colman), were sheltered in the Budapest home of
Zsuzsanna Reszeli and her daughter Karolina nicknamed ”Csöpi” (”midget”
in Hungarian). Although Karolina was 17 at the time, she had a height
of the normal three year old. Both Karolina and her mother went through
great danger in providing the shelter and food for Kalmans without ever
doubting their decision to help.
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