Golda Meir

Israel’s Matriarch

By: Deborah E. Lipstadt

Narrated by: Dina Pearlman

Golda Meir (1898-1978) was the first and only woman to serve as prime minister of Israel. She was born in Kiev into a childhood of poverty, hunger, and antisemitism. When she was five, her father left to find work in America, and a year later the family settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a teenager she became devoted to Labor Zionism, giving street-corner speeches, and her family’s home became a destination for Zionist emissaries. Her love for Labor Zionism was so fervent that her boyfriend, Morris Meyerson (her future husband), was often in competition with her dedication to the cause.

Zionism prevailed. In 1921, Golda left America for Palestine with Morris and her sister Sheyna. Though the reality of living in Palestine was far from the dream of Zionism, Meir settled on the kibbutz Merhavia and was swiftly appointed to the Histadrut (the General Organization of Hebrew Workers in Palestine). As an ally of the Zionist David Ben-Gurion, Meir played an important role in the Yishuv, the pre-state Jewish community in Palestine; proved an almost singular ability to connect and fundraise with diaspora Jewry, particularly Americans; and served in three pivotal positions following Israel’s independence: labor secretary of the newly formed state, foreign minister, and Israel’s fourth prime minister.

In tracing the life of Golda Meir, acclaimed author Deborah E. Lipstadt explores the history of the Yishuv and Jewish state from the 1920s through the 1973 Yom Kippur War, all while highlighting the contradictions and complexities of a person who was only the third woman to serve as a head of state in the 20th century.

©2023 Deborah E. Lipstadt (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

complicated

A complicated politician. Golda was a real human who had positives and negatives. I wish this biography had been more thorough in some of the details. Couldn't more interviews with people who knew Golda have been recorded?

Women in powerful times

I was a U.S. child when Golda was leading a nation. My Irish grandmother adored her. This interpretation of her life I bristled and appreciated as a life culminates.

Rollercoaster Audio.

The reader had seemed to interject into her own sentence at times. Like there was a sentence added in later in production. This happened multiple times giving the audio a rollercoaster affect. The story was well written , however, brief.

Lovely life well lived told oh so very well

Lovely and inspiring. balanced. flows well and puts history into perspective. love reading and learning about the Jewish heroes of modern times. I knew golda was Prime Minister but didn't realize the enormous impact she had on the development of the modern state of Israel. impressive life well lived. love lipstadt's Story telling skills. definitely a5 star book.

For Such a Time as This - Great Read!

What a wonderful book, masterfully written and read. I highly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about this amazing woman.