David Ben Gurion. Polish born Israeli Statesman. Photo taken in the 1950s. The Israeli founding father and former premier wrote from Tel Aviv to Mrs.Grossman about her nephew following her advice and coming to Israel as a teacher. GETTY IMAGES.
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A former Americans for Ben-Gurion University fellow has shared a letter that his grandmother received from David Ben-Gurion, also an author in 1965, two years after the latter had served his second tenure as Israeli prime minister.
According to Britannica, David Ben-Gurion was the First prime minister of Israel (1948–53, 1955–63). He was introduced to Zionism by his father, and immigrated to Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, in 1906, hoping to fulfill the Zionist aspiration of building a Jewish state in historic Israel.
“Knowing that my grandma had a personal exchange with such an iconic Israeli figure was truly remarkable,” said David Schuman, who was part of the A4BGU Zin Fellows Leadership Program.
Schuman received the letter as a wedding gift from his aunt. His grandmother, Jean Grossman, who died at the age of 91 in 2019, had been “a noted philanthropist and a pillar of the Jewish community in Scottsdale [and] Phoenix, Arizona,” according to Americans for Ben-Gurion University.
In the letter, which seems to be dated Aug. 22, 1965, the Israeli founding father and former premier wrote from Tel Aviv: “Dear Mrs. Harold I Grossman, I am glad to know that your nephew followed your advice and is coming to Israel as a teacher. He should apply to the Ministry of Education; I will also be glad to see him. Yours sincerely, D. Ben Gurion.”
The address for Schuman’s grandmother was in Minneapolis.
“I was beyond thrilled to receive it as a wedding gift. I had a vague recollection of its existence, but it was almost like family folklore,” said Schuman. “It helped to bridge the gap between generations and connected me to the very roots of the institution I had grown to love. It deepened my appreciation for the visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s values and mission.”
He added that “my grandmother told me many times that Ben-Gurion was one of the best leaders of her lifetime.”
Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate
(Additional reporting provided by JNS Reporter)
Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager
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