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Friedrich Born – The Man Who Defied Indifference During the Nazi occupation of Hungary, Friedrich Born—delegate of the International Red Cross in Budapest—chose action over silence. Appointed in 1944, Born quickly realized the fate awaiting Hungarian Jews. Inspired by Carl Lutz’s strategies, he hired up to 3,000 Jews as employees of the Red Cross to provide them protection and designated multiple buildings in the city as Red Cross safe houses. Most remarkably, he managed to distribute around 15,000 Schutzbriefe—protection documents issued by the Red Cross—saving thousands from deportation and death. He also played a key role in securing the ancient Pannonhalma Monastery as a neutral shelter for refugees, including many Jewish children, after reaching an agreement with both the Hungarian government and German military. His efforts are credited with saving between 11,000 and 15,000 Jews during just a few months in 1944–1945. Like many other rescuers, Born returned to civilian life after the war, never speaking publicly of his actions. Only in 1987, 24 years after his passing, was he recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. Born’s legacy is a powerful reminder: even in the darkest times, one individual—with courage and conviction—can save an entire world. May his memory be blessed. Discover more in the Lights in the Darkness exhibit >> fozmuseum.com/lights-in-the-darkness/ #righteousamongthenations #WWII #neveragain #lightinthedarkness