Elie Wiesel's Proposal for an International Nobel Prize Colloquium

A letter from President Ronald Reagan, also speaking for Nancy Reagan, to Elie Wiesel, expressing gratitude for an original silkscreen by Lou Stovall. The artwork was sent following a 'Days of Remembrance' ceremony at the White House. President Reagan states they will keep the artist's proof as a meaningful reminder of the value of liberty that the remembrance represents.

Tibor Baranski, honored as a Righteous Among the Nations by YadVashem, was born June 11, 1922 in Budapest, Hungary. He was educated in Hungarian Gymnasia and aware of rising antisemitism by 1938. He studied for the priesthood in Vesprem in 1940 and in Kassa (Kosice) in 1943. He learned of Nazi extermination plans through church channels. He returned to Budapest October 20, 1944 as the Russian army drew near. Mr. Baranski provides a very detailed and extensive description of several rescues of Jews, from October to December, 1944, at the request of Angelo Rotta, the papal nuncio, who acted as a representative of the Vatican under orders of Pope Pius XII. He rescued Jews from a transit camp to safe houses in Budapest. He worked with representatives from neutral nations and the Red Cross to stop deportations from Hegyeshalom, using protective letters (Schutzpasse), and safe houses to shelter almost 6000 Jews. He was almost executed several times. He provides details of efforts to hide Jews by Christian groups and individuals. He credits Elizabeth Kemeny, Raoul Wallenberg, Prince Esterhazy, Father Hummel and a number of priests and nuns who helped in the rescue. He talks about his encounter with Wallenberg and why he was arrested by the Russians. Mr. Baranski was arrested by the Russians December 30, 1944 and sent on a deathmarch from Budapest to Szekszarv. Saved by a Russian soldier, he returned to Budapest. He worked with an underground movement opposed to communist rule and was arrested by the Russians again November 1948. He describes postwar life in Hungary under communist rule. He discusses Hungarian-German relations, Miklo Horthy’s attitude towards Jews and Nazis, German occupation of Hungary, and the role of the Vatican in great detail based on his contacts. He entered the United States in 1961 and became a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. Note: Audiotaped interviews of Per Anger and Elizabeth Kemeny Fuchs (referred to by Tibor Baranski) are at the Holocaust Oral History Archive and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Rebecca continues to comfort her sister-in-law Ann and ask about the condition of her brother Ben after the death of his son, Cary.

Pilar Rahola, a Spanish journalist, criticizes the international press and the European left for their biased reporting and stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Islamic dictatorships. She highlights the lack of demonstrations against Islamic dictatorships (e.g., Sudan, Burma), women's enslavement, and child soldiers, contrasting it with strong opposition to Israel. Rahola argues that the left often confuses support for Palestinians with defense of terrorism and disproportionately criticizes democratic states like the US and Israel while ignoring abuses in countries like Syria, Yemen, and Iran. She points out instances in Spain, such as a socialist mayor changing Holocaust remembrance day to "Nabka Day" and the Barcelona city council inviting a known terrorist, Leila Khaled. Rahola concludes that her non-Jewish background compels her to fight anti-Semitism and defend Israel, as its destruction would signify the destruction of liberty, modernity, and culture. She asserts her duty as a journalist to seek truth beyond prejudice and manipulation.

Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Maria, answering her questions about Jewish religion, and warns her of false myths about Judaism. She also gives updates on the health, travels, and marriage plans of family and friends.