Born in Budapest in 1938, Judith Blau was only four years old when her father was taken to a forced labor camp. For years, Judith, her mother, brother and cousins moved from one hiding place to another, narrowly escaping death during the Holocaust. Through courage, resourcefulness and the compassion of a Hungarian policeman who chose to spare them, the family survived—and was miraculously reunited with Judith’s father after the war.

In 1957, following the Hungarian Revolution, Judith made another dangerous journey, escaping across the border to reunite with Alfred “Freddy” Blau. The young couple married in Vienna before immigrating to the United States, where they built a loving family and a new life filled with freedom and opportunity.

Judith’s story is one of quiet courage, resilience and renewal. Her life reminds future generations to live freely, practice their faith without fear and never take freedom for granted.