18 Friday, November 18, 1983 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS - 1' • :;:311441,1E% 4 Paula Ben-Gurion's Humorous Image Depicted by Dan Kurzman Dan Kurzman's thorough account of the life of Israel's first prime minister who was the guiding spirit in the rebirth of Israel's statehood includes accounts of the leading Jewish per- sonalities in this century's Zionist involvements. In his "David Ben- Gurion: Prophet of Fire" (Simon and Schuster), Kurzman gives a full ac- count of B-G's love affair with Rachel Nelkin (Beit- Halachmi). These revela- tions in no sense over- shadow the role of Mrs. Ben-Gurioii — Paula — who became a legend in pre- Israel Palestine and in her husband's relationship with world figures, as well as in the latter years in Israel. Paula was a source of punning, and many anec- dotes are ascribed to her. Perhaps the most famous of the stories in which she played "a diplomatic role" is when the late UN chief Dag Hammarskjold was advised by Paula that he could bet- ter serve mankind if he were married. This is an ex- cerpt worth perpetuating: "It was now time to woo the world that still chil- lingly recalled peering into the abyss after the Sinai campaign. Israel, as always, needed foreign allies and, in any case, had to clear the path that would one day lead to universal redemption. And in the next few years Ben-Gurion wooed passionately. "His campaign was per- haps symbolized by Dag Hammarskjold's visit to Is- rael shortly after peace had settled over the Middle East. Ben-Gurion was re- solved to win the sympathy of this man who had so an- grily condemned the Sinai attack, for he did, after all, represent the world that Is- rael was destined to help re- deem. "Paula, however, seemed more interested in redeem- ing the man. At an official dinner she stared at her dis- tinguished guest as he sip- ped his soup and asked, `Hammarskjold, why don't you get married?' "The Secretary General, spoon in shaky hand, smiled and replied that he had no time. " 'Ben-Gurion also had no time, yet he found me!' LINDEN MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 968-5000 21120 GREENFIELD ROAD OAK PARK. MICHIGAN 48237 Home Care f quipment Specialists " 'But why should I get married?' asked Ham- marskjold in astonishment. " 'Personally I don't care whether you do or not. But married people have trouble at home with the children and problems of money and making a living. You would have so much trouble of your own, you wouldn't have time to give us any!' "Later, in Sde Boker, there was another dinner. Paula sat Hammarskjold down in the communal din- ing hall, placed a bowl of tomatoes, onions and radishes before him and commanded: 'Eat! Don't talk!' After the 'feast,' how- ever, Paula remembered the cause and made a nearly supreme sacrifice. She let the Secretary General have the bathroom in the family 0 / 0 OFF NAME BRAND ITEMS FREE LAYAWAY TILL HANUKA ov o es% O 0°4 1 7: 04 28480 Southfield Rd., Lathrup Village MON-FRI 9-5, SAT 9-4 *WITH PURCHASE ‘• .Z4D Jewelers 424-8733 DAN KURZMAN cabin all to himself while she and the Prime Minister washed and brushed their teeth in the kitchen sink. "The next morning Hammarskjold dragged himself along on a six- kolometer hike with Ben- Gurion and Yehoshua Co- hen, whom the prime minis- ter jocularly introduced as a `former terrorist.' One can only speculate how the Swedish visitor would have reacted if he had known that he was matching strides with the assassin of Count Bernadotte, a coun- tryman who had repre- sented the very organiza- tion that Hammarskjold now headed! "But the Ben-Gurions had not done too badly. The Secretary General left Israel alive — if a bit humbled — and more sympathetic to Israel than he had been before. He clung to 'rich im- pressions,' he said. Also to bachelorhood." Another famous world personality who is per- petuated in the Paula Ben-Gurion record of the * * * Kurzman Speaks at Hanuka Fete Under the joint sponsor- ship of Histadrut, Labor Zionist Alliance and Pio- neer Women/Naamat, a Hanuka celebration will take place 11 a.m. Dec. 4 at the United Hebrew Schools auditorium. There will be a candle- lighting ceremony, songs and latkes, with guest speaker Dan Kurzman, author, journalist and foreign correspondent. Kurzman has just com- pleted a definitive .biog- raphy of the first Prime Minister of Israel, "Ben- Gurion: Prophet of Fire." Kurzman, as a correspon- dent for the Washington Post, won both the Front- Page and the Long Island University George Polk Memorial Awards. Earlier he was an INS correspon- dent in Paris and NBC correspondent in Jerusalem and Cairo, and the McGraw-Hill World News bureau chief in Tokyo. He has authored seven books and won four major awards for his writing. The Hanuka celebration is open to the public. How: ever, reservations are re- quired. For reservations, call the Histadrut office, 967-4720. outspokenness was U.S. Secretary of State John Fos- ter Dulles. The story ac- counts Paula's actions as hostess. It's worth recalling, as Kurzman delineates the "frankness" that made Paula the subject of so much curiosity: "Ben-Gurion . . . suggested to Secretary of State Marshall the same year (1951) that Israel would welcome American bases in Israel. But all he received was a promise to `cooperate' in case of war. When Eisenhower came to PAULA BEN-GUR1ON power, Ben-Gurion decided to try again with his Secre- terested in an alliance. And tary of State, John Foster the prime minister would be Dulles. And he saw the eating fish for a week." opportunity when Dulles Another episode indi- stopped off in Israel in May cating bluntness- 1953. frankness is related "Hoping to soften him up, about Paula when she Paula arranged an elabo- met with Helena Rubins- rate welcome. Although she tein. Kurzman narrates: usually served guests her- "Paula was also a good self, sometimes with the hostess at parties, prepar- help of her husband's ing-all the food herself, even secretaries, this time she calling diplomatic wives would need real waiters. into the kitchen to teach Well, not truly real ones — them how to cook. Nor was the state couldn't afford she extravagant when she them. She called in the _ entertained, especially if guards and ordered them to the guest could not be of rip off their insignias. Fine! great service to Ben-Gurion They were waiters. Then or herself. When Helena she prepared the 27-kilo (60 Rubinstein, the cosmetic ty- pound) fish someone sent coon, visited her she .got her from Iceland and cookies instead of the elabo- dumped it into a tin rate chocolate cake a friend bathtub of cold water in the had baked for the occasion. garage. " 'I'll keep the cake,' "Dulles came, and ev- Paula told the friend. erything went smoothly, `Cookies are good enough even after Paula ad- for her.' monished him to have "Nor did she appreciate more chicken soup or 'I'll Rubinstein's gift of cosme- have to throW it out.' Fi- tics. 'Does she think I want nally coffee and cookies to look like her?' were served, and Paula could relax. " 'Are these cookies homemade?' the secretary asked appreciatively. "Paula paled. 'Yes, of course . . . But I don't know in whose home.' "He had to ask about the one thing she hadn't pre- pared herself! - "Nor was Ben-Gurion any happier than Paula when Dulles departed. The secre- tary had shown no in- "But Paula's manner was often so disarmingly folksy that guests didn't mind her bluntness. Still, one British political leader almost • swallowed his soup spoon when she remarked to him: 'Your wife is older than you, isn't she?' . ." Perhaps Paula belongs in humor anthologies. Kurzman provides the basis for such recognition. —P.S. CHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST-SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION IN MICHIGAN cordially invite you to a benefit showing of the film YENTL starring Barbra Streisand on December 10, 1983 at the Americana West Theatre at 7:30 p.m. • $100.00 - Two Admissions, Donor, name in pro- gram and champagne reception. • $ 25.00 . One Admission, Sponsor, and name in program. • $ 10.00 - One general admission. For further ticket information call: 851-4995 or 855-4105 All proceeds directly benefit the HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER Of West Bloomfield, Michigan