[314] Rome & Jerusalem, 2 September 2010

In what ways is Georgio Perlasca an “authentic Italian hero?” What does “authentic hero” mean?

“Whoever saves a single soul, it is as if he saved the entire world.” (1)

Since the end of World War II, the Yad Vashem has been awarding “non-Jews who specifically addressed themselves to the Jewish issue, and risked their lives in the attempt to aid Jews” with the Righteous Gentile distinction. (2) To date, over 16,000 people have been recognized, 468 Italians alone. Among these Italians is a man named Georgio Perlasca. Perlasca’s dedication to the Jewish community in Budapest saved over 5,000 lives, a feat which eventually led to his recognition in film: Perlasca: The Courage of a Just Man. He is more than a mythical heroin, he is authentic.

Perlasca, an Italian Catholic, worked with the Italy’s military as a provisionary. While in Budapest collecting supplies, a location that had remained untouched by the war, Perlasca was swept up in wartime events, alongside Hungarian Jews. Unlike the Jews, he had connections with the Spanish embassy. As a soldier in Franco’s army, Perlasca had received a document that allowed him safe-keeping at the Spanish embassy. Upon finding the embassy, he learned that the ambassador was moving to a safer location, and he was given the option of staying there or moving along with him. Perlasca decided not only to stay, but to impersonate the ambassador.

Assuming the role of ambassador, Perlasca handed out letters of safe haven to Jewish peoples. He had learned of the Nazi’s plans for Jewish ghettos in Budapest, and eventual extermination, and deliberately put himself between the Nazis and the Jews. He faced emanate death and unspeakable danger, but never backed down – a feat of valor that most people would agree they could never muster the courage to do. Once the war ended, Perlasca returned to Italy and his family. He never spoke of his wartime heroism, but he did write his account down, making three copies.

The first copy he sent to the Vatican, the second to the Spanish government, and the third he housed in his coffee table. His story was discovered by his daughter-in-law, who was instructed by an ailing Perlasca to open up the drawer of the coffee table. After verification of accounts by Jews that he helped, Georgio Perlasca was awarded “Righteous Gentile” status. Thousands of people have risked their lives to save Jews, procuring the same status as Perlasca. When one searches the archives of “Righteous Gentiles” his name is not included on the people of note.

The fact that countless others have worked towards the same end as Perlasca does not make him a faux hero. He is more of a hero because his dedication to life can be imitated. Furthermore, his authenticity stems from his obscurity. Perlasca retained his humanity after completing superhuman acts. He went back to his life. He did not search out acknowledgement by peddling his story, making himself into a character or superhero; he continued living as he always had. He lived out Matthew’s Gospel message, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (3) He was rewarded, and his life left inspiration for us all. One cannot hope to save thousands of lives, but by saving one, the world is saved.

(1) The inscription found on “Righteous Gentile” medal. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/righteous.html
(2) Henry, Marilyn. http://christianactionforisrael.org/isreport/righteous.html
(3) Matthew 6:3-4.