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Hannah was a trained paratrooper, Special Operations Executive member, and poet. She was born in Budapest on July 17, 1921. Her family was Hungarian-Jewish.

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In 1943, officials from a Jewish Agency were trying to draft Senesh to join a military project. The goal was to aid European Jews. Hannah studied a course for wireless troupers and became a paratrooper for this group in January 1944.

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Growing up, she was exposed to antisemitism as a Hungarian Jew. This pushed her to deepen her understanding of her Jewish origins. She joined a Zionist movement where she learned Hebrew and used a diary. In 1939, she moved to Palestine after high school. Senesh then went to an agricultural school. While there she continued to write poetry and wrote a play on her experiences.

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In March of 1944, Hannah and other "Jewish volunteers (most of whom were also of European origin) were dropped into Yugoslavia in order to aid the anti-Nazi forces until they would be able to commence their true mission and enter Hungary.”  This got postponed to June due to a German invasion and Hannah crossed the border to Hungary.

When she entered the Hungarian border she was caught by police who brought her to a prison in Budapest. They tortured her cruelly for months and yet she wouldn't give information.

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By: Demi Lovato

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Hannah was caught by Hungarian Police immediately when she crossed the border.

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Hannah's mother (Katherine Szenes) was arrested because Hannah would not talk in the Budapest prison. They hadn’t seen each other for 5 years. Three months later her mother was released.

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Hannah became a hero representing idealism and sacrifice, her courage is remembered. Even in the face of hardship, she stuck to her mission. Hannah's mother, Katherine, continued her legacy.

"She became an instrumental part of the Hannah Szenes legend, based on her daughter’s courageous life and death, brought to public knowledge by fifteen editions of her daughter's diary, poetry, and plays, that have since been published in Hebrew."

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Clip from Documentary- Blessed is the Match

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Clip from Documentary- Blessed is the Match

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This documentary depicts Hannah's life and journey to being involved in the war.

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PRI's The World: A Clip from the Film "Blessed is the Match"

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After imprisonment, Hannah pleaded her case in front of a tribunal. Ultimately they sentenced her to death. On November 7th, 1944 a Colonel came to Hannah's cell and gave her the option to beg for a pardon, or firing squad. She chose death by firing squad (Hannah was 23 years old).

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"Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame

Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart

Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor’s sake

Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame” - Hannah Senesh (written during WW2)

https://jewoughtaknow.com/hannah-seneshs-poetry

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Hannah's orginal last name was Szenes, however she changed it. She did not want to be known for being “the daughter of Bela Szenes" (her father who was a famous writer). Especially when going to agricultural school and making first impressions.