The Boxer Jack Levy – Collection of Medals, Photographs, and Letters, 1930s-70s – Boxing Matches from the British ...

The Boxer Jack Levy – Collection of Medals, Photographs, and Letters, 1930s-70s – Boxing Matches from the British Mandate Period, Matches he Fought as a Representative of the Jewish Brigade and as Part of the Maccabi World Union

Collection of medals, photographs, and letters belonging to the boxer, Jack Levy. Palestine and additional locations, 1930s-70s.

Jack Levy (1915-2006) was a Jewish boxer, champion of British Mandatory Palestine in the featherweight class. In 1935 he participated in the Second Maccabiah Games, and, after joining the ranks of the Jewish Brigade in the course of the Second World War, fought against boxers from around the world, from England, Australia, Egypt; a total of 103 fights, in which he was victorious in all but one. Levy took part in the defense of Tel Aviv and other military actions during Israel's War of Independence. Following the establishment of the State of Israel, he became a boxing referee.

The present collection includes:
• Some 40 medals, pins, and badges, including the Maccabi Boxing Championship Cup, 1935; two medals from the boxing competitions of the British Armed Forces (1944); three official medals from the Second Maccabiah Games (design: Moshe Murro, 1935); prizes from boxing competitions in which Levy served as referee (Beitar Championship, Golden Gloves); and more. Most of the pins and medals were issued by the Maccabi World Union.
• Some 40 photographs of matches and sports teams from the British Mandate period and the early days of the State of Israel, including the matches Levy fought (against an Australian army boxer, against a representative of the Royal Air Force, and more); a photo inscribed by boxing champion Emil (Amiel) Avineri (1938); photo of Levy's youngest son, Ofer, pretending to fight Israeli champion Haim Shafir in a boxing match; photographs of sprint teams, gymnastics teams, and more.
• Some 40 photographs of Levy and his colleagues in the Jewish Brigade, in Israel's War of Independence, and more: Wearing the "Notrim" (Jewish auxiliaries) uniform; en route to the World War II Battle of Monte Cassino; on top of a tank with a group of soldiers in Italy; dancing the "hora" in celebration of the end of WWII; photographs from various battle fronts in Israel's War of Independence; and more. Most of the photographs are dated, titled, and/or dedicated in handwriting. Two are framed.
• Some 25 handwritten letters exchanged between Jack Levy and his wife Hannah in the course of Israel's War of Independence. Most are love letters (one contains a song to Hannah composed by Levy during the war).

Size and condition vary.

Also enclosed: Some 75 photographs from other periods in Levy's life (some in an album); a framed paper print of the emblem of the Jewish Brigade; and a printed booklet containing Levy's memoirs and those of his family members.