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AHF eNews, December 2011

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2012 Membership!
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In this Season of Giving, please consider AHF Membership! AHF is an all-volunteer, non-partisan, 501(C)(3) educational and charitable organization focused on common ground issues. Serving the community since 1906, we are the largest and oldest Hungarian-American umbrella organization in the United States. We need your support! Only in unity can we find strength! [join and support us!]


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We are all volunteer... Your membership and support makes this all possible! Please support us.

Additional Features

  • Looking Back: AHF History
  • Featured Member - T. Zane Reeves
  • Featured Books and Articles

  • AHF Headlines

    The Case of Ilonka Tamas. The latest outrage from Slovakia: a 99-year old teacher loses her citizenship. Ilonka Tamás brought up generations of children and received the “Komenský” medal and the Gold Medal of the Slovak Republic for her pedagogical achievements. She is now a "person without registered address." AHF submits follow up letter to the Helsinki Commission.ALERT! Slovakia stripping citizenship of ethnic Hungarian minorities. Slovakia stripping citizenship of ethnic Hungarian minorities.

    12/14/2011 - UPDATE: The Case of Ilonka Tamas. The latest outrage from Slovakia: a 99-year-old teacher loses her citizenship. Ilonka Tamás was born in 1912 when Rimaszombat was part of Hungary. She brought up generations of children and received the “Komenský” medal and the Gold Medal of the Slovak Republic for her pedagogical achievements. She merely wanted to regain her Hungarian citizenship but is now a "person without a registered address." AHF submits follow up letter to the U.S. Helsinki Commission. [read more]

    Slovakia strips citizenship to ethnic Hungarian minorties who assert their right to dual citizenship, an international norm, and in violation of their own Constitution.12/02/2011 - The Case of Oliver Boldoghy. AHF submits a statement to the US Congress Helsinki Commission: "Intolerance and discrimination targeting any group based on ethnicity, nationality or religion is not acceptable... One of the most recent anti-Hungarian incidents involves Slovakia stripping Oliver Boldoghy of his Slovak citizenship after becoming a dual citizen. This decision is not only contrary to American and European practices, it violates the Slovak constitution, which provides that “no one must be deprived of the citizenship of the Slovak Republic against his will.” [read more]


    The Anti-Defamation League presented the Jan Karski Courage to Care Award posthumously to Count Janos Esterhazy. This comes just two months after Slovak President shamefully calls this hero of the Holocaust a follower of Hitler. AHF continues to express concern over Slovakia's anti-Hungarian measures. "Those who defended and aided Jews and other victims of the Nazi slaughter merit our recognition and our eternal thanks. They were individuals who followed the call to conscience, which is surely no simple matter... Count János Esterházy was such a person of conscience, one who had more than enough reason to remain silent."11/8/2011 - The Anti-Defamation League presented the Jan Karski Courage to Care Award to Count János Esterházy. This comes just two months after the Slovak President shamefully calls this hero of the Holocaust a follower of Hitler. AHF continues to express concern over Slovakia's anti-Hungarian measures and has repeatedly called for Esterhazy's rehabilitation."Those who defended and aided Jews and other victims of the Nazi The Federation believes it would be appropriate that the Embassy of Hungary, as a representative of all Hungarians, expand such exhibits to include Hungarian heroes of the Holocaust.slaughter merit our recognition and our eternal thanks. They were individuals who followed the call to conscience, which is surely no simple matter... Count János Esterházy was such a person of conscience, one who had more than enough reason to remain silent." [read more]


    Music Lovers Worldwide Celebrate the 200th Birth Anniversary of Franz (Ferenc) Liszt10/22/2011 - Music Lovers Worldwide Celebrate the 200th Birth Anniversary of Franz (Ferenc) Liszt... Ferenc Liszt, composer, virtuoso pianist, Hungarian patriot, citizen of the world, was born 200 years ago, on October 22, 1811, in Doborjan, Hungary. A child prodigy, at age 6 he took music lessons from his father, cellist Adam Liszt, who worked at the Court of Count Esterhazy. Communities all across the world have been organizing concerts in his honor. [read more]


    Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md) honors heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Fight for Freedom and enters to The American Hungarian Federation's commemorative statement into the Congressional RecordAHF Honors the 55th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution10/19/2011 - AHF Remembers the 55th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution... Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD) honors heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and refers to The American Hungarian Federation's commemorative statement in the Congressional Record. The statement also acknowledges some if the Revolutions consequences which linger today such as the solidly Stalinist Romanian government's virtual liquidation of the Hungarian-language Bolyai University in Romania [read more]


    In a letter to Knut Vollebaek, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Federation again raises anti-Hungarian measures in Slovakia and Serbia and requests the High Commissioner's clarification of reports in the electronic media asserting that he had labeled Hungary's support for Slovakia's Hungarian minority "malicious and foolish." 9/29/2011 - Federation again raises Hungarian minority rights with OSCE High Commissioner.  In a letter to Knut Vollebaek, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Federation again raises anti-Hungarian measures in Slovakia and Serbia and requests the High Commissioner's clarification of reports in the electronic media asserting that he had labeled Hungary's support for Slovakia's Hungarian minority "malicious and foolish." [read more]

    MTI - Álláspontjának Tisztázására Szólította Fel az EBESZ Kisebbségügyi Főbiztosát az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség [tovább]


    Ivan Gasparovic, President of Slovakia and a former prosecutor under the communist regime, resorted to this shameful practice when he labeled Janos Esterhazy a follower of Hitler and fascism and opposed the unveiling of a sculpture in Esterhazy’s memory in Kassa (Kosice)9/13/2011 - Slovak President shamefully calls Janos Esterhazy, a hero of the Holocaust, a follower of Hitler. AHF continues call for rehabilitation of Janos Esterhazy, reacts to Slovak falsification of history... Esterhazy was the only member of the Slovak Parliament in 1942 who voted against expelling the Jews, setting an example which few dared to follow in the parts of Europe controlled by Adolf Hitler's Germany. He was detained by the Nazis and died in a communist prison. He is still classified as a war criminal in Slovakia. [read more]


    Featured Books & Articles
    AHF presents articles written by distinguished AHF members. AHF encourages all members to submit scholarly essays, books, and other materials which will be featured on our Publications page. 1956 Revolution-related materials are featured on www.hungary1956.com

    Based on a true story, this amazing book follows the lives of two extended Hungarian families, the Rézlers and the Földes, one gentile and the other Jewish, through three decades. It includes the story of Col. Ferenc Koszorus and the battle against Nazi forces.T. Zane Reeves: "Shoes Along the Danube." Based on a true story, this amazing book follows the lives of two extended Hungarian families, the Rézlers and the Földes, one gentile and the other Jewish, through three decades. The story begins in pre-World War II Budapest, as increasing fascism and anti-Semitism lead Hungary to become an ally of Germany. In 1944, Germany invades Hungary to exterminate Europe’s last remaining group of Jews at the infamous Auschwitz death camp. The story builds through the siege of Budapest, the Russian occupation of Hungary, and separation by exile. It includes the story of Col. Ferenc Koszorus and the battle against Nazi forces. Buy [his books] and other products on the AHF Amazon Store Help AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store!
    [read more] about Zane and "Shoes Along the Danube"
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    Through an American Lens, Hungary, 1938: Photographs of Margaret Bourke-White. Kadar Lynn's recently discovered a treasure trove of mostly unpublished photographs taken during the artist's month-long trip to Hungary in 1938 by Life Magazine's most renowned photojournalist, Margaret Bourke-White. Through an American Lens, Hungary, 1938: Photographs of Margaret Bourke-White. Kadar Lynn's recently discovered a treasure trove of mostly unpublished photographs taken during the artist's month-long trip to Hungary in 1938 by Life Magazine's most renowned photojournalist, Margaret Bourke-White. The photographs not only furnish us with a look at pre-WWII Hungary and its people, but because Bourke-White took unsentimental portraits of the major political figures in Hungary, from the far right to the far left, Communists, Fascists, Socialists, Social Democrats, Smallholders, as well as the primary government officials, it provides us with an insight into these individuals and history provides us with the consequences of their actions. Purchase this book on Buy Tibor Eckhardt in his own words on Amazon [read more]
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    Deborah Cornelius’ Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron (Fordham University Press, New York 2011) gives an excellent overview of the events leading up to and the horrendous events of World War II in Hungary.Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron by Deborah Cornelius, Fordham University Press, New York, 2011. Csaba Zoltani writes: "Deborah Cornelius’ Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron (Fordham University Press, New York 2011) gives an excellent overview of the events leading up to and the horrendous events of World War II in Hungary. The effect of the Treaty of Trianon, that without plebiscites, truncated Hungary and deprived it of its natural resources and forced a sizeable portion of its population to live under alien jurisdiction, set the political and sociological climate in Hungary from the 1920's on.  Cornelius gives an excellent overview of the readjustment that expressed itself in the politics and led to the belief that revision of the treaty was only possible through German intervention." [read more] Buy it now on AHF's Amazon Store! Buy it now on AHF's Amazon Store!
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    Meet Zsuzsa Hanto, author of "Kitiltott Családok" (Banished families. Communist repression of "class enemies" in Hungary)New Zsuzsa Hanto, book published: "Kitiltott Családok" (Banished families. Communist repression of "class enemies" in Hungary) Hantó Zsuzsa az elszenvedők és visszaemlékezők emlékeit is magában foglaló könyv történész szerzője nem kevesebbre vállalkozik, mint az 1950-ben és 1951-ben vidékről és Budapestről a kommunista rezsin által kitelepített, kitiltott családok szenvedéseit, megpróbáltatásait, nem egyszer pusztulását mutatja be. [tovább]
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    Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History - a book that Wine Spectator called "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language."Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History - By AHF's Miles Lambert-Gocs. This is a book that Wine Spectator called "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language."

    How did a wine from a remote corner of Europe gain unparalleled fame worldwide?  This is the central question answered on virtually every page of Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition, a new book that promises to be a touchstone for all future writing on Tokaji. The world's first botrytis wine, Hungary's Tokaji won an enviable reputation centuries ago. But never before have the development of its winetypes and the story of its ups and downs in fame and prestige been presented so fully in English. [read more] or Buy his books now on the AHF Amazon Store Help AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store!
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    Scarlett Antaloczy's "FREEDOM ’56: True Stories of the Hungarian Revolution"... is a timely compilation of true accounts of the Hungarian freedom fight of 1956.Scarlett Antaloczy's "FREEDOM ’56: True Stories of the Hungarian Revolution"... is a timely compilation of true accounts of the Hungarian freedom fight of 1956. What started out as a personal family tribute to Scarlett’s parents blossomed into a worldwide journey leading to a host of discoveries and the posing of serious questions about civilization, global domination and political agendas. FREEDOM ’56 is derived from a wealth of interviews and submissions of first-hand information from survivors and friends of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against the Soviet occupation and the Hungarian Communist party. These are the personal experiences and reflections of individual contributors, from all walks of life and from all over the world, who looked back across more than fifty years of history to share their still-vivid memories of the Revolution with readers of FREEDOM ’56. [read more] and Buy her book now on the AHF Amazon Store Help AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store!


    AHF Store on Help AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store!
    Help AHF by purchasing all your products using the AHF Amazon Store! You pay nothing more and AHF earns a small percentage! Start your search [here]!

    More member books on AHF's Amazon Store:

    Miles Lambert-Gocs: "Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History." Wine Spectator called it "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language."Miles Lambert-Gocs: "Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History." Wine Spectator called it "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language." [read more] and Buy his books now on the AHF Amazon Store Help AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store!

    Eva Mecs"The Porcelain Figurine" (A Porcelánbaba) by Eva Mecs. [read more] and Buy her book now on the AHF Amazon StoreHelp AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store!

    Gogins, Kitty: My flag Grew StarsKitty Gogins: "My flag Grew Stars" by [Read more] about the book or purchase the book on "Life Behind the Iron Curtain" by Susanna (Zsuzsánna) Lápossy is available on AHF's Amazon bookstore! Click to order

    "Life Behind the Iron Curtain" by Susanna (Zsuzsánna) Lápossy is available on AHF's Amazon bookstore! Click to order!Lapossy, Susanna (Zsuzsanna):
    Life Behind the Iron Curtain. [Read more] about thebook or purchase the book on "Life Behind the Iron Curtain" by Susanna (Zsuzsánna) Lápossy is available on AHF's Amazon bookstore! Click to order

    "The Old lady and the Fawn," the first bilingual edition of "Öreg néne ozikéje" (Hungarian)Simon, Paul M: "The Old lady and the Fawn," the first bilingual edition of "Öreg néne ozikéje" (Hungarian)
    Order now at Simpa Books

    For 12 days, countless Hungarian teenagers fought in the bloody Hungarian Revolution against Communist tyranny and overwhelming Soviet armor. They set up tank barricades, tossed Molotov cocktails, and with their confiscated Russian submachine guns made a stand on the streets of Budapest, hoping to hold out until help arrived from the West. But there was no help. Nobody came to their aid. Peter Hargitai's "Daughter of the Revolution," is the story of one such brave freedom fighter-a 14 year-old girl.Professor Peter Hargitai's Daughter of the Revolution: A Novel (2006 - A story of a brave freedom fighter - a 14 year-old girl) [read more]

    Rebecca McEldowney's "Soul of Flesh: A Novel of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution"Rebecca McEldowney's "Soul of Flesh: A Novel of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution" [read more]
     
    Dr. Katalin Kadar Lynn's "Tibor Eckhard in His Own Words: An Autobiography"Dr. Katalin Kadar Lynn's "Tibor Eckhardt in His Own Words: An Autobiography" [read more]

    [ >> GO to the AHF News Archive]


    2012 Membership Appeal...
    Strength can only be found in unity!
    AHF and its volunteers and members have been serving the community for over century. In this Season of Giving, please join and support your AHF, an all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit 501(C)(3), charitable and educational organization. Your donations may be tax deductible.

    Join the American Hungarian Federation!


    Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket!Kellemes Karácsonyi Ünnepeket!

    Santa Claus is called "Télapó" or "Mikulás." According to legend, one night he put three bags of gold in three sisters window to rescue them from being poor and allow them to marry honorable men. Mikulás, (Me-ku-lash) visits children on December 6th, St. Nicholas' Day, which is the name day of "Miklós." Chidren put boots in the windows, like stockings hang by the fireplace on Christmas Eve all over the USA. If the child has been good, Mikulás leaves the boot filled with goodies - traditionally with candies, tangerines, walnuts, apples, dates and chocolate Mikulás figurines. Also, most children get small toys and books. If the child has been bad, the boot will contain just a switch usually with a devil-figure attached, indicating a beating is in order. Since no child is all good or all bad, most get the switch and the treat.

    Christmas trees are decorated in Hungary on December 24th (see "How to Decorate a Hungarian Christmas Tree"). Parents decorate separately from the children and then ring the Christmas bell, signaling to the children that the angels have brought and decorated the Christmas tree and that Baby Jesus has arrived with gifts. The family gathers around the tree holding hands to sing "Angel from Heaven," or "Mennyből az Angyal" in Hungarian. After opening gifts, a dinner featuring hot, spiced wine, soup, or "borleves," and fish, duck or other delectable course is served. Families then attend midnight mass together.


    Support us!FELHÍVÁS! ALERT!
    SUPPORT THE AHF DISASTER RELIEF FUND!
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    Devastating Flooding in Hungary - Help now!The 2010-2011 AHF Disaster Relief Fund has raised over $225,000.00 to help victims of devastating flooding and Toxic Sludge in Hungary!

    The American Hungarian Federation joined forces with its sister organization in Hungary, the Amerikai Magyar Klub, under its "Amerikaiak a Magyarokért Közhasznú Alapítvány," (AMKA) to raise funds to help families affected by devastating flooding. Please Help us to Continue to Help our Community! [Join Us!]
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    Announcements and
    Upcoming Events

    INVITATION: Sponsored by the Kossuth Club, this is a unique opportunity to see and hear an authentic gypsy band. In the tradition of true Gypsy orchestras the RAJKÓ will alter the program every night to suit the specific concert audience and the musicians own creative mood in true RAJKÓ tradition!Sarasota, FL, 1/19 - RAJKÓ Gypsy Band: Sponsored by the Kossuth Club, this is a unique opportunity to see and hear an authentic gypsy band. In the tradition of true Gypsy orchestras the RAJKÓ will alter the program every night to suit the specific concert audience and the musicians own creative mood in true RAJKÓ tradition! This is the essence of Roma music in Hungary or anywhere else in the world: spontaneity, improvisation and drawing a smile or a tear from the listeners. The program includes folk and popular music selections loved not only by Hungarians, also selections from romantic and classical composers like Monti, Hubay, Dinicu, Khachaturian, Offenbach, Suppé, Strauss or Rossini – just to name a few.

    Southgate Community Center
    3145 Southgate Circle. Saraosota, FL 34239
    Tickets: $20 Advance ($25 at Door)
    For more information, contact Livia at
    (941) 773-2774
    Send Ticket Payment to:
    PONGRÁTZ ENTERTAINMENT
    13214 S 38TH ST PHOENIX, AZ 85044
    TEL/FAX: (480) 684-3577
    Mobile: (480) 258-8444
    E-mail: atp77@q.com
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    Parfumerie, by Miklós László, Adapted by Edward P. Dowdall, Directed by Leslie Kobylinski In time for the winter holidays, enjoy the warmth of Parfumerie, the story that inspired You've Got Mail and the musical, She Loves Me.INVITATION:
    McLean, VA: Performance,
    December 16, 2011 - January 8, 2012

    Parfumerie, by Miklós László, Adapted by Edward P. Dowdall, Directed by Leslie Kobylinski In time for the winter holidays, enjoy the warmth of Parfumerie, the story that inspired You've Got Mail and the musical, She Loves Me. Amidst the Christmas bustle, two Budapest shop clerks bicker by day, oblivious to the fact that they've fallen in love exchanging anonymous love letters. But not everyone in the shop finds the season so enjoyable. Come savor all the aromas of the holidays in this comedy for the whole family.

    Performances:
    Fridays 8 pm
    Saturdays 2 pm & 8 pm
    Sundays 2 pm & 7 pm

    Magyar-amerikai állampolgár László Miklós (1903-1973): Illatszertár / Parfumerie című darabjának bemutatóját december 16-január 8. között a 1st Stage színház előadásában Tysons Corner, VA-ban. További információ a színház honlapján [tovább]
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    Boston Debut of The Roby Lakatos Ensemble!INVITATION:
    Boston, MA - 1/27/2012
    AHF is Proud to help Sponsor the Boston Debut of The Roby Lakatos Ensemble!
    The Celebrity Series is bringing the world famous Hungarian musician Roby Lakatos and his ensemble to Boston for a concert on January 27, 2012, at Sanders Theater, Harvard University. Lakatos is an incredible, spell binding performer of classical and Hungarian-Gypsy folk music, interpreted in an exciting and innovative manner. Friday, January 27, 8:00 PM [more information]
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    Klaudia Kovacs’ multi-award-winning sociopolitical historical documentary is about the international decline of communism and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Torn from the Flag was the last film of legendary cinematographer László Kovács.
    We are thrilled to announce the DVD RELEASE of 8-time-award-winning documentary TORN FROM THE FLAG!

    Klaudia Kovacs’ multi-award-winning sociopolitical historical documentary is about the international decline of communism and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Torn from the Flag was the last film of legendary cinematographer László Kovács. As Klaudia and krew continue their '56 AROUND THE WORLD campaign, the public-use DVD continues to be available for rental in the USA, Canada and now in Australia and New Zealand for educational screenings (kindly note that private/personal-use DVDs may not be used for group/public screenings).

    [Buy or Rent] this historic film, movie posters, post cards, and invite the producer to your event! [read more]
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    ONGOING Washington, D.C. - Péter Bacsó Film Club, Tuesday's, 7pm
    Embassy of Hungary
    2950 Spring of Freedom Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008
    Dress code: Casual
    For further information: www.huembwas.org
    R.S.V.P. by (202) 362-6730/201
    or email: rsvp.was@kum.hu


    Looking Back... AHF History

    AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF, Tibor Eckhardt, and the "Free Hungary Movement" seeking to extract Hungary from the Nazi Axis sphereAHF, Tibor Eckhardt, and the "Movement for Independent Hungary," 1941 - 1942: Seeking to extract Hungary from the Nazi Axis sphere... On the 31st of December 1940, the Amerikai Magyar Népszava published a front-page editorial headlined “The Hour has Struck.” The editorial proclaimed that it was the “the historic mission of Americans of Hungarian origin to give voice to the cries of the silenced people of Hungary and to give their whole hearted effort to the liberation of their mother country which is clubbed into submission by the Nazi terror" and called upon the American Hungarian Federation to unfurl the banner of a Free Hungary Movement without hesitation or delay. [read more]


    AHF Members' Corner

    Featured Member

    T Zane Reeves, Ph. D., visits Hungary often where he is a board member of the Julius Rézler Foundation in Budapest. He also is the author of a number of books, including From Budapest to Albuquerque: The American Life of Julius Rézler and says, “I was told this story by Hungarians and wanted to pass it on.”T. Zane Reeves, Ph.D., served in Brazil in the Peace Corps. His graduate work was at UCLA and USC. He taught at Pepperdine and California State, Dominguez Hills, before moving to the University of New Mexico, where he retired as Regents’ Professor Emeritus. Zane visits Hungary often where he is a board member of the Julius Rézler Foundation in Budapest.

    Based on a true story, this amazing book follows the lives of two extended Hungarian families, the Rézlers and the Földes, one gentile and the other Jewish, through three decades. It includes the story of Col. Ferenc Koszorus and the battle against Nazi forces.He also is the author of a number of books, including From Budapest to Albuquerque: The American Life of Julius Rézler and says, “I was told this story by Hungarians and wanted to pass it on.” T. Zane Reeves, Ph.D., is pleased to announce the release of his new book Shoes Along the Danube which refers to the memorial of cast iron shoes that honor Hungarian Holocaust victims. Based on a true story, this amazing book follows the lives of two extended Hungarian families, the Rézlers and the Földes, one gentile and the other Jewish, through three decades. It includes the story of Col. Ferenc Koszorus and the battle against Nazi forces. His books are available on the AHF Amazon Store! Help AHF by purchasing products using the AHF Amazon Store! [read more] about Zane!

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