Dr. Esther Alexander

אלכסנדר אסתר

Dr. Esther – Neuman Vera
Born in Budapest in 1929
Died on 24.4.2005
Member of “Hashomer Hatzair”

Esther came from a family of orthodox rabbis. Refugees from Slovakia and Poland found refuge in her father’s house. In 1941 she joined the “Hashomer Hatzair” movement.

In the summer of 1944, after the German invasion of Hungary, Esther was caught by a Hungarian policeman who suspected her of being Jewish and of trying to avoid being deported. She succeeded in running away from him by jumping off a running tramway. In the movement Esther underwent a short course in the use of weapons and in evasion.

 

In the winter of 1944-1945 she was caught again by Arrow Cross men while on her way to distribute forged documents but again succeeded to escape.

After Szálasi came to power on 15.10.1944, Esther stayed at the “Glass House” on Vadász Street, which was under Swiss protection. She served as a Swiss messenger and distributed forged documents to Jews around the city. Again she was caught with a bag full of forged documents but managed to escape. Later, due to a Hungarian informer who knew her before the war, Esther was arrested and taken to the district headquarters of Arrow Cross on 2, Szent István körút (Saint Ishtvan Boulevard) but managed to run away because that very same night there was heavy bombing and the emergency exit was left open.

In 1949 Esther made aliya and served in the IDF as an officer.

She founded a family and studied economics both in Israel and abroad. She was a consultant in economics for several ministers in Israeli governments.

She resided in Mevaseret Tzion.

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