Hungary - Miklos and others

The rescue work by Gisi Fleischmann and the Working Group was mainly supported by international Jewish organisations of the JDC (Joint Distribution Committee); Gisi communicated largely with the JDC representative in Geneva, Sally Mayer (Onkel Sally – Uncle Sally), and with Nathan Schwalb of the HECHALUZ in Geneva. Jewish officials and activists operating in Hungary, especially Joseph Blum, Joel Brand a Resző (Rudolf) Kasztner, were important partners for Gisi Fleischmann and the Working Group in their recue work. Until about April 1944, Hungary was a relatively safe country. The Working Group used it for clandestine transfers of the persecuted Jews who then either remained in Hungary or went further. The international financial aid earmarked for the rescue work flowed through Hungary to Slovakia. During the war, Gisi Fleischmann, was able to travel to Hungary because of the permit she held in connection with her post in The Jewish Council. Yet, in her letters she often expressed disappointment over the lack of understanding on the part of Hungarian Jews who had been able to live a relatively peaceful life beyond the southern Slovak border. The cooperation continued after the launch of deportations from Hungary; Gisi Fleischmann was again active in this context.The Europa Plan of the Working Groups fell apart, yet it was to serve later as the basis for negotiations between Eichmann and the Assistance and Rescue Committee led by Rudolf Kasztner in Budapest in the Summer of 1944, and for the so-called “offer” of one million of Jews on 10,000 lorries, the desperate plan called Blood for Goods, in which Gisi Fleischmann was also involved. It is documented from letters from the final part of her life.