By Tom Brennan
Golda Meir is an example of what can be called a typical Israeli success story about a very special woman. She was the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel and the first woman to hold that office. Before there was Margaret Thatcher, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton, there was Golda Meir, Israel’s “Iron Lady”. Golda Meir’s story is that of a multi-immigrant with multiple careers who learned from each.
Golda Meir’s family lived in the Ukraine, in Kiev and underwent the regular threats of pogroms against Jews. Her parents were Moshe and Bluma Mabovitch. Finally her father saved enough money to go to America and worked in and then bought a store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Saving enough to bring his family over, they settled in and Golda attended the local public school and watched the store when her father or mother went on store errands. Golda became a teacher in 1917. In 1921 she went on the adventure track set by the Zionists and moved to mandated Palestine. She lived on a kibbutz and served in the years ahead as an administrator in various Zionist organizations. After independence in 1948 she served in the new government including Representative to the USSR. The energetic and superbly equipped Meir was Foreign Minister from 1956 to 1966. She rose to be Prime Minister and endured the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
All this time she was increasingly ill from what would cause her death, Lymphoma. By 1974 she was too ill to continue and died that year. Golda Meir is an excellent example of the amazing backgrounds, brainpower, and sheer courage that built Israel. She typifies the multi-immigrant experiences of leaving the West and bringing the knowledge and intellectual skills practiced in the democracies weighed against the autocratic pogroms of Russia. The idealism of the Zionists and intellectual power that flocked to the Mandated Palestine lands and her administrative skills all were put to use in multiple posts and she earned every one of them.
Gold Meir models many examples of Biblical womanhood for Christians. As Ruth did, she left her home for a new one and gave it her loyalty. As Esther did, she was the right person in the right place at the right time. Although she was seriously ill at the time she saw her country through a difficult time, the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the country went through much self-examination about why it was unprepared for the attack. There has been no repetition since. She endured a serious illness beyond the time when she should have left office but served until she could give no more. We can all learn from that.
Israel has been fortunate in having exemplary leaders who learned much from the “Iron Lady”. A combination of many experiences, idealism, firmness, self-sacrifice and genuine courage seem to have marked the terms of office of the Prime Minister. Israel’s small size makes it virtually impossible for front men, self- promoters or frauds to stand for office. Everyone seems to know one another. The political scene is lively and proactive. Golda Meir was a woman who served her country in many office and capacities. She led and did it wisely and honorably. She was steward of a nation and made return on the talents given her many times over. Can we only do likewise?
Christians can learn from the example of Israeli leaders such as Golda Meir. Character is inescapable as a quality. All the public relations, campaign donations and promises made are vanity compared to genuine service based on experience, dedication and honesty. At heart are qualities found only in Scripture. Golda Meir was an example to be followed, Golda Meir: Prime Minister of Israel.
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