Tremendous gratitude to Susan Woodland, Processing Archivist and Renate Evers, The Bruno and Suzanne Scheidt Director of Collections at the Leo Baeck Institute New York for their incredible work.

Slovak Settlers is a bilingual (English and Slovak) book that raises awareness of Slovakia’s immigration history.  We're one of many proud partners and contributors to this project, please read more about the descendants of Slovaks settlers in the USA and Canada. The expected publication date is December 2022 - January 2023

Much gratitude to Beth Tfiloh School for the opportunity to connect students and staff to their roots as Jews, especially in this day & age is crucially important. Sharing my Saba’s deeds and how many people it took to bring Israel into being, some of whom we may never have known about, if not for the efforts documented and publishing in our book, is so very important. 

‘The Undercover Wrestler’ reveals an unknown story of diplomat Zalman On, who used his brawn and brains to save European Jews — and befriended Frank Sinatra (in Hebrew)

It was an honor to speak at the #Baltimore Edward A. Myerberg Center today. Thank you for the opportunity to share my grandfather’s story at the virtual zoom Bagel Boys education class. Great community and giving back program!

The Baron's at the opening exhibition at the United Nations in NY showcasing “David Unreich - the Champion who challenged Hitler” hosted by PermRep @MichalMlynar and organized by @SlovakiaUNNY . Honoured to meet his descendants.

Harav Michoel Ber Weissmandl is one of the giants in the hatzalah efforts during the second World War. Mr. Weissmandl is remembered for his heroic efforts to save Jewish lives and both he and Gisi Fleischmann are connected to the Unreich family. --Hamodia

The Unreich children grew up in the house next door, but Zalman's father lead a chavrusa (study hall) that was located in the cellar on Kapucínska Street Number 7.

Azriel Unreich awards the Defender of Excellence trophy to David Radchenko an Israeli wrestler | Photos: Ilan Shay. Link --Newspaper Seven Israel

At the time, the askanim of the Vaad Hatzolah were in France. They were headed by Reb Moshe Enright, hatzalah askan and one of the heads of Poalei Agudas Yisrael in America.  Because money to purchase this property was not readily available, Mr. Enright paid the down payment out of his own pocket so that the contract could be signed. --Hamodia

Aron’s house on Heydukova street was less than 5 minutes walking distance from the Unreich’s house on Kapucinska street.  He's Zalman's mother's cousin.  Aron was an unknown rescuer of Jews, until recently. 

2008 publication about the Unreich family available at National Library of Israel.  

1952 funeral journey passes through the ancient Jewish quarter of Prague before moving the bones of Haviva Reick and Rafi Rice to burial in Israel.  --Palmach Association

In a 1944 sports article in Hebrew, Zalman captivated the audience's heart during the wrestling match... --Historic Jewish Press

Article about a Jewish ultra-Orthodox organization for observant Jews who opposed the Zionist movement, which Zalman’s father (Sulim Jonas Unreich) was affiliated with in the 1920s. --Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

The powerful true story of a Holocaust survivor told by her daughter (Rachelle Unreich) - a tale that reminds us of the resilience of the soul and the ability of the heart to heal. Honored and privileged to contribute to this amazing family story. Publication October 2023.

David Baron was born in Baltimore, Maryland but in 1983, his family moved to Israel after his father accepted a job opportunity in Israel at the American Embassy.

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Related Story about his sister Syvonne Baron Collins “Beneficial Life-Altering Experience:” A Big Sister, Little Sister Journey

Thanks Tzvi Ben-tzur, delighted palyam.org continues to preserve and educate with Haifa University stories of Aliya Bet heroes. We appreciate the Hebrew article about Zalman’s 1948 contributions for Israel’s independence.

Author David Baron: “What is a hero? A hero is someone who’s selfless, puts others first and is willing to save lives at risk to themselves. My grandfather was never adequately recognized for [his bravery].” 

Thank you, RAF Museum, for the opportunity to contribute and share a story about my grandfather.  The Royal Air Force Museum launched RAF Stories as part of the their Centenary celebrations and commemorations project.  And a special thanks to Jess, the Community Engagement Officer at the RAF Museum, for the support and assistance to contribute this story about my grandfather’s connection to the Royal Air Force.  RAF Stories is a collection of stories from around the world about people and their history connected to the RAF.

It was 1942 in German-occupied Poland. Hundreds of thousands of Jewish people had been forced to leave their homes and live in the Warsaw Ghetto, enduring starvation and other deprivations. As rumors of mass deportation of Jews to Nazi death camps began to circulate among ghetto residents, Judy Reifer’s parents made a heart-wrenching, yet lifesaving, decision. Read more about Mrs. Reifer's recent compelling presentation to Edison 8th graders. -Westfield Public Schools

A group of Holocaust survivors and their families gather in Prague’s Old Town Square to recreate a photo that was taken in 1945, when the survivors had just been liberated from Nazi concentration camps. In Zalman's collection, we have a photo of Mr. Enright with rescued orphans at same location. --BBC World News

Slovak history is full of forgotten heroes. This is also David “Dufi” Unreich, later known as Ben Shalom. This wrestling champion challenged Adolf Hitler's leader of Nazi Germany. --Aktuality

In Bratislava, the Civic Association History without Borders in cooperation with the Central Union of Jewish Religious Communities recalled the memory of an David Unreich. -- Martin Mozer

Gisi Fleischmann believed she could stop the Holocaust if only she succeeded to raise enough money. She led a resistance group in Slovakia.  --Go2Films

2009 publication reflects Eli’s trial testimony included his memories of recruitment. “One day a man named Zalman came to see me. He told me that they had kept an eye on my work and found that I was suited to a more responsible task.” -Wesley Britton

1964 book by Miriam Kubovy mentioned Zalman and Unreich family on many occasions while they lived in Prague on their diplomatic mission.  -Miriam Kubovy

Mr. Krasa (a very close family friend and holocaust survivor) took a job as the chef at the Israeli Embassy in Prague with the help of Zalman.  Both Mr. Krasa and his wife Hana, were assisted by Zalman to emigrate to Israel.  -Zalman Collection

Jewish sports competitions took place in Israel since 1932. If you search/ctrl-find, you’ll find Zalman participated in 1935 Palestine games and won first place in the heavyweight division in the Greco-Roman wrestling.  --The Sport Record.de

Dozens of articles found at the University Library in Bratislava - which provides an access to digitized papers such as Slovenský denník covering the Unreich family.