Headed by Rafi Bensalom, it was the Aliját Hánoár, which represented interests of the Zionist youth movements in the Glass House. A few young people found saved haven here. The Glass House became one of the centers for rescue, self rescue, document forging and distribution activities.

Help for the refugees

The first refugees arrived in 1941 from Poland, followed by Slovakians in 1942. The youth movements helped them find shelter, food, money, and gave them fake documents. Following the German occupation Hungarian persecutees were also assisted.

Couriers

There were more than 150 couriers sent outside Budapest and to Jewish centers to alert Jews on events to come, and help young people escape from being banned in ghettos.

Forging Documents

Members of the resistance movement obtained original documents as well from the registy offices, and distributed them free of charge to those in need. Several thousands of forged documents included police registration forms, birth and marriage certificates, protection letters issued by neutral nations, etc. Thanks to these documents a lot of Jewish people was successfully saved, especially in Budapest.

The Tijul

Means „excursion”. This is how the escape to Romania, and from there to Palestine, was called. These operations were organized and carried out also by the young Zionists. They provided money, documents and guides for the escapees, many of whom successfully got to Palestine.

The bunkers

The bunkers were created after August 23, 1944, when possible escapes via the Tijul program got ended. The „bunkers” were apartments, cellars or storehouses, where people could hide, and food or supply items could be stored. Some bunkers were found by the Hungarian Nazis including one in Hungária körút, where the guard was killed and the rest of people was arrested.

Children homes

Following the Arrow Cross takeover in Hungary about 50 homes opened doors in Budapest for children, whose parents had been deported or killed. These homes were operated under the protection of the International Red Cross and neutral nations. Zionist activists worked in the homes’ management and food supply, and took care of the children. Some of these houses were attacked by the Hungarian Nazis, there were some victims as well, but about 6000 children and adults were successfully saved. After the Liberation many of them emigrated.

Support for those who escaped from forced labor camps

Many of them received forged documents, money and other sort of support from the Zionist youth movements. There were attempts to free those who had been caught. For example, some of those detained in the Margit körút prison could successfully be set free.

Food supply for the ghetto

The Zionist resistance movement obtained food (often at a very high price) from army warehouses and merchants. Money for this purpose arrived from abroad or was received from rich Jews in Budapest.