Paula Ben-Gurion - Biography

Paula (Munweis or Monbesz) Ben-Gurion (1892 – 1968) was the Russian-born wife of David Ben-Gurion the founding Prime Minister of Israel. They had three children together: Geula, Amos and Renana.

Paula was raised in the United States and was known for her acerbic tongue. She was fluent in Yiddish, English, and Hebrew. She was a nurse trained at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey and an active member of the Poalei Zion Zionist organization. David Ben Gurion met her at the home of his friend, Samuel Bonchek on a visit to New York City. They married in 1917 at New York City's Municipal Building before returning to Palestine where Ben-Gurion enlisted as a soldier in the new Jewish Legion of World War I.

She was a feisty woman and famous for not being afraid to ask her husband to wash the dishes. She was bemused by her husband's interest in yoga and when his tutor, the famous Moshé Feldenkrais would show up she would say: "Here comes Mr. Hocus Pocus."

Ben-Gurion published a book for her: Letters to Paula and the Children in 1958. A number of schools and institutions in Israel were named for her.

Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Television, is her great-nephew.

Paula is buried with her husband in Sde Boker.

Bibliography

• Helmreich, William B. (1998). The Enduring Community: The Jews of Newark and Metrowest. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 1-56000-392-8
• Sheehan, Sean., Winter, Dave and Patricia M Levy (2001). Israel Handbook. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 1-900949-48-2