Zalman Unreich Life Story & Family Legacy

Aron Grunhut Thank You Letter

Zalman Recommendation Letter

Zalman letter expressing concerns about office space.

Zalman Hapoel Tel Aviv Award Certificate

There’s a photo taken during a friendly soccer match sometime in the late 1950s between the United States in Hapoel Tel Aviv in Philadelphia or questionably at Brooklyn Ebbets field. An event possibly attending by Marilyn Monroe, while dating Arthur Miller, a larger financial contributor to the State of Israel at the time. At the Philadelphia sports event, Zalman received an honorary badge that reads “Philadelphia Civil Defense - Honorary Deputy”. Source: Zalman Collection

New Unreich related materials in a recently published new digitized database sourced from the Arolsen Archives collection. Papers filed during the search for Zalman’s parents by Moshe Enright (aka Unreich) and Aron Grunhut. Mentions Sulim, Regina and Teresa sent to the Sered “work” concentration camp. We visited the camp last year, but didn’t find any records about them there. Clearly the report show otherwise, prior to being deported to Auschwitz.

Vintage Teacup spoon and fork from Legation D'Israel Office in Prague.

Permission to get passport.

Permission letter for Prague diplomatic assignment.

Haganah cable

Mr. Reuther was an American leader of organized labor and civil rights activist who built the United Automobile Workers (UAW) into one of the most progressive labor unions in American history. A powerful ally of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. The National Committee for Israel Labor gave Reuther the Histadrut Humanitarian Award in 1958.

Jacob (Yakov) Blech Note - Zalman’s Memorable Words By Visitors of the Histadrut House

Mr. Remez was the first person to sign Zalman’s book. He was an Israeli politician, the country's first Minister of Transportation, and a signatory of the Israeli declaration of independence.

A native of Tel Aviv, Mr. Levinson rose in the labor movement's economic establishment. He earned a reputation as a financial wizard when Bank Hapoalim, under his leadership, became a major banking institution.

Zalman as part of the Haganah, assisted in delivering supplies, this letter lists the items.

The letter you mentioned with "mein lieber kinder” is not what we thought it is - sounds like a friend of Moshe.

Zalman Wrestling Ad

Zalman Israeli Diplomatic Passport

There months later, the British Government of Palestine response to Hashko’s letter on June 25, 1939. These letters are heart-breaking. The heartless and unsympathetic response from the British official is really nauseating. It must have been so awful for the brothers to feel so powerless.

In an another correspondence letter, dated March 30, 1939, Tzvi Yehuda “Hashko”, the youngest of the brothers tried to get a Visa for his parents and return them to Israel. The letters begging on their behalf to be allowed entry of the British government at the time, however there requested was denied or ignored. Part of Hashko’s letter to the Department of Immigration of Palestine reads - see translation.

David Unriech article

1938 Israeli Sports Newspaper with Zalman giving an orange to possibly Eduard Havlicek an Austrian soccer player.

A telegram artifact from around 1938, where Zalman seems to be corresponding with his parents and possibly trying to arrange for them to get out of Bratislava.

Zalman face wrestling drawing ad.

Zalman Wrestling Ad

As a professional athlete, Zalman understood first-hand the art of wrestling, but he also became involved in the management and administrative side of youth sports and education, dating back to Bratislava. Indeed, a 1933 or 1934 document translated from Czech, identified Sigmund’s, also known as Zalman, involvement in the cost management and proposal preparation to the Social Committee of the Prague Jewish Council encouraging them to invest more in the Young Jewish Generation, resulting in helping them choose a better career. Even then, the investment by the public school system in Jewish students was sufficient. In order to prepare Jewish youth, more investment was necessary to help them enter institutions of higher education. They attempted to demonstrate this point, by showing the disparity in cost between Jewish and non-Jewish youth in different institutions of higher education was greatly uneven. These organizations, included Jewish youth and student clubs, just like the Športový Klub (ŠK) Makkabea.

Shlomo Unreich postcard to his parents in Bratislava. In 1929, Shlomo’s motivation to immigrate was inspired by the news around the Arab riots and massacre on the Jewish community of Hebron. He informed his parents about his desires to leave, and it was received by major disappointment by both his parents as a “punishment from heaven”, even if his mother ended up helping to take care of preparing his clothes and necessities for a risky trip. Shlomo had to forge the signature on his passport request form for two reasons, one because he wasn’t the age of maturity (at the time twenty) and his father objected to the matter. In fact his Sulim stopped talking to Shlomo until the Aliyah.

While Zalman had lots of success on the wrestling mat, he experienced just as many struggles. Zalman documented some of the difficulties within the Czechoslovakian wrestling organization, which was heavily influenced by politics and anti-Semitism. In the end, many of these challenges motivated Zalman and his friends to work harder. As he described it, for months and months they had little to no money from the Sports Club to pay the necessary expenses like rent for fields and practice space or travel to competitions. The team also experienced unfair and anti-semetic judging. In one particular match, Zalman noted that one Judge who voted against them was not even on-site for the match. There was “blind hate” in the Union against the Jewish team. The team ultimately complained about the questionable judging and was reluctant to participate in the championship, where they ultimately lost as a result of additional questionable judging. Notwithstanding these setbacks, Zalman remained committed to the sport and enjoyed a successful wrestling career in Bratislava.

1900 Sulim and Regina Unriech Marriage Record

This is Zalman's keynote presentation covering many topics about Zalman's career and noteworthy wrestling undertakings, since 1927, was winning the Slovak championship in wrestling – in the welterweight class, which is a heavier than lightweight but lighter than middleweight. In 1928, he knocked-out the Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria middle-weight champions. Lastly, in 1929, he won against the Hungarian champion Hegedish - in the welterweight class. With all of these achievements, he becomes a role model for the Jewish youth in non-professional wrestling and eventually builds up their ambitions – which are characteristics that pave the way to success.

Zalman's handwritten notes about wrestling.

Zalman was thanked again for being the “Israeli Champion who Saved Holy Scriptures” in 1959. See 1950's Photo Archive for more information.

Available upon request

Available upon request

Frank Sinatra Holiday Greetings Letter to Zalman Unreich.

Zalman was connected to Dubnisky, an American labor land trade union leader. He served as president of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Was a philanthropist and help fund Israel via the Histadrut. In a letter dated October 26, 1955 possibly post this event with the American Trade Union, it reads - see translation.

Zalman Dossier from Czech Security Services Archive.

Vintage Teacup & Saucer from Legation D'Israel Office in Prague.

Letter to Moshe Unreich from Prague Israeli Legation mentioning Zalman doing well.

Available upon request

Rose Bush Note - Zalman’s Memorable Words By Visitors of the Histadrut House

Mr Marcus a friend and colleague of Zalman was a United States Army colonel who assisted Israel during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, and who became Israel's first modern general (Hebrew: Aluf). Sadly, he was killed by friendly fire, when he was mistaken for an enemy infiltrator while returning to Israeli positions at night.

Mrs. Meir was Zalman’s boss, when serving as forging minister to USSR. She was the first female prime minister of Israel.

Mr. Galili was an Israeli politician, government minister and member of Knesset. Before Israel's independence in 1948, he served as Chief of Staff of the Haganah.

Mr. Sharett was Zalman's boss and the second Prime Minister of Israel (1954–55), serving for a little under two years between David Ben-Gurion's two terms.

Signed letter from high ranking Israeli officials to Zalman congratulating on son's bris.

Zalman finally received the approval certificate from the Aliya Center (British Government) in Israel to bring his parents and family from Bratislava to Palestine, however it was already too late to rescue them. His sibling communication attempts in 1939 were also unsuccessful to save their parents.

Available upon request

Zalman Israeli Passport

David Unriech article

David Unriech article

1939 Shlomo Unreich Letter

A telegram artifact from around 1938, where Zalman seems to be corresponding with his parents and possibly trying to arrange for them to get out of Bratislava.

A telegram artifact from around 1938, where Zalman seems to be corresponding with his parents and possibly trying to arrange for them to get out of Bratislava.

Zalman Palestine Travel Passport

Zalman Wrestling Ad

Photo of Zalman's Medals.

Letter about purchasing specific type of pigeons for possibly sport or delivery of communications.

Article about Sulim Unriech involvement with Agudas Israel on page 3

Zalman's handwritten notes about wrestling.

Zalman's handwritten notes about wrestling.

Misc Article About Zalman

Zalman Burial Information

Letter to my parents congratulating them on my birth

Histadrut award ceremony

1959 Article from Yakov Pelg about a European Champion Saving Sacred Artifacts

While in Prague, Zalman was working with Aryeh Kubovy and Moshe Sharett. Many of the families working at the so-called Israeli Embassy had children during that period, including Zalman and Gerty, who welcomed their third child Naomi in 1952. I found a letter from Moshe Sharett to Zalman dated May 8, 1952 and a photo of Gerty and many other new moms with their newborns.

1950s Unreich Tuxedo Family Picture

Friend! My company, after a long journey back to his own country, and brought with him many things. Thank you with all your heart ago. -- Rev. John Cherf, O.S.B. The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (Latin: Ordo Sancti Benedicti, abbreviated as OSB), are a monastic Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that follow the rule of Saint Benedict. They are also sometimes called the “Black Monks”, in reference to the color of the members' religious habits.

In the year 1938 to 1947 I was responsible for the security of the Histadrut's Executive Committee during this period. I managed to build a relationship with the British General Moore, who was in charge of the Paratroopers and the military quantity in the country. During this period, many friends were sent to Kenya and imprisoned. During the British rule, I took advantage of General Moore's introduction and I have always been passing mail to those prisoners who were in custody. During the period of 1948, I was in charge of security for western European embassy. One of my contacts of the Eastern European embassy came from Doctor Kunzman or Yonzman (יונצמן) to the Embassy of Prague one after the other, bringing me the consciousness of those young people who signed the letter.

Haganah cable

Rabbi Morton R. Bearman Note - Zalman’s Memorable Words By Visitors of the Histadrut House

Towards the end of the British Mandate, the British arrested and deported many Jewish underground pioneers, transporting these individuals to detention camps in Africa, including Kenya. The British believed that deportation would act as a deterrent and also prevent the detainees from continuing to fight for their cause against the British in Palestine. Zalman receives “Nameless” (אלמונים) Thank You Letter for assisting exiles when returned to Israel months after the establishment of the State of Israel around July 1948.

Schwartz Note - Zalman’s Memorable Words By Visitors of the Histadrut House

Zalman received this key from Jan Masaryk. It has special transcription that reads: “JM Pro Stesti a Radost Davle 1947”, which translated possibly means “For the Happiness and Joy or Pride of the Crowd” with Jan Masaryk initials. It's a key to his cottage house in Davle.

Available upon request

Available upon request

Available upon request

David Unriech article

In a postcard addressed to Moshe (Maurice Enright) Unreich the oldest brother, from Sulim, on May 27, 1940. The postcard concludes with a quite positive sentiment, filled with greetings, blessings, and kisses. With the comment that Reitzi is well. In another postcard, possibly dates around 1940, sent to Shlomo, Rachel made the following comment towards the end of the post card “I’m very afraid…”.

David Unriech article

Zalman big evening sports wrestling match ad.

Letter about purchasing specific type of security dog.

Supposedly, Zalman had many undercover assignments. One such early assignment from the Haganah involved Zalman leading the efforts on behalf of the British to transfer millions of pounds between bank locations in Palestine. Sir James Newton Rodney Moore was a British General who befriended and trusted Zalman with these responsibilities. His Travel Passport allowed Zalman to bypass the curfews and travel restrictions, while gathering intelligence and information along his travels. To further aid in these efforts and to provide protection while he was transporting funds, Zalman sent a letter on September 3, 1938 to a German company called Rex, seeking to purchase security dogs to protect him while out in the field. This is one of two related letters. There's a photo of Zalman with the Rex Security Dog, Circa 1938 in Palestine, Israel. Source: Zalman Collection

Available upon request

Zalman Wrestling Ad

Zalman Slovakia Passport

Moshe Unreich Letters

Zalman handwritten notes about his match competition.

Unreich sports coverage. Available upon request

Zalman's handwritten notes about wrestling.

Zalman's handwritten notes about wrestling.

Zalman Unreich and Gerty Sussmann Wedding Record