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    Title

  • Seven wrestling medals owned by Zalman Unreich On

  • Physical Description

    7 medals : metal, enamel, fabric ; varies, varies

  • Date

    1927-1939

  • Summary

    2023.125a: Wrestling medal has blue and white enamel decoration around a low relief rondel of two wrestlers kneeling. The medal is attached by chains to a pin featuring an eagle with outstretched wings and a laurel branch. (One chain on the pin is broken).

    2023.125b: Wrestling medal features a blue and red enamel cross and laurel leaves around a low relief roundel of two wrestlings standing. The medal is attached by chains to a small medal plaque inscribed "S.K. Makkabea", which is then attached by chains to a medal insignia of an eagle with outstretched wings and a laurel branch, which is then attached to a red, blue, and white ribbon. (The ribbon is broken and fraying, and one of the chains is broken). On the back of the medal is inscribed "Maist Slov.\ v. 7 Apase\ Grec. Aims. \ 1931" (partly illegible).

    2023.125c: Wrestling medal features a low relief rondel of two wrestlers on the mat. The rondel was attached to a medal pin of an eagle with outstretched wings and a laurel branch, which has a piece of red, blue and white ribbon (the chains which would attach the rondel to the pin is broken). One the back of the medal is a crescent moon and star.

    2023.125d: Wrestling medal features a low relief rondel of two wrestlers kneeling. The medal has a long red, blue, and white ribbon on a loop. The back of the medal is inscribed "Kasimpasa 1921 - 1939" inside of a laurel wreath.

    2023.125e: Wrestling medal features a low relief rondel of two wrestlers standing. The medal has a blue and black ribbon on a loop. On the back of the medal is inscribed "Sieger\ im \ Freundschaftskamp \ Bratislava \ 5. VIII. 1928"

    2023.125f: Wrestling medal features a low relief rondel of a man raising a barbell. The medal has a blue and white ribbon on a loop, with a small plaque inscribed "S.K. Makkabea". The back of the medal is inscribed "Ermunterungs \ Med. \ 10. XII.27".

    2023.125g: Wrestling medal features a low relief plaque of two men wrestling. The medal has a blue and white triangular shaped ribbon on a loop.

  • Subject

    Wrestling; Badges

  • Medium

    Objects; Medals; Accessories

  • Part Of

    Zalman Unreich On Collection, AR 25949

  • Accession Number

  • URL

Biographical/Historical Information

Zalman Unreich On was born Sigmund (Zalman) Unreich in Pressburg (Bratislava, Czechoslovakia) around September 21, 1912. His father was Orthodox rabbi Sulim Jonas Unreich and mother was Regina (Rachel) née Grunhut, the fifth of seven brothers and one sister. Zalman and some of his brothers learned Greco-Roman and other types of wrestling in Bratislava. He emigrated to Palestine in 1933, and after supporting himself by working in construction and picking fruit, he opened a wrestling club under the auspices of the Hapoel Sports Association, which was affiliated with the Histadrut [Trade Union] in Tel Aviv. On May 8, 1940, Zalman married Gerty, the daughter of Ella and Felix Sussman from Vienna; she had emigrated to Palestine with her parents and younger brother Alfred in 1932. Zalman and Gerty had three children – Ilana, Avi, and Naomi. In 1956, they all changed their last name to “On”.

From 1938 to 1947, Zalman was responsible for security for the Executive Committee of the Histadrut, working in the Intelligence Bureau. He also was employed in the Consular Department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of pre-state Israel. During World War II, Zalman trained as a parachutist, and he was likely involved in undercover activities with the Haganah [Defense Force]. In 1947, Zalman moved with his family to the Israeli diplomatic mission (also referred to as the Israeli Legation) in Prague where he was in charge of security. In 1952, with growing antagonism against Israel in Czechoslovakia, Israel recalled their ambassador and Zalman and his family returned to Israel. In the 1960s and 1970s, Zalman worked as a greeter at Ben Gurion Airport, welcoming foreign dignitaries, diplomats, and other visiting guests of the Histadrut arriving in Israel. He remained affiliated with the Histadrut Tourist & Travel office during these years. Zalman Unreich On died in Tel Aviv on April 21, 1978. Gerty On died on August 20, 2008.

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Citation

Seven wrestling medals owned by Zalman Unreich On, Leo Baeck Institute, 2023.125a-g.