Miriam Eshkol

Miriam Eshkol
Levi and Miriam Eshkol 1964
Born	Miriam Zelikowitz January 6, 1929 Bacău, Romania
Died	November 26, 2016 (aged 87) Jerusalem, Israel
Resting place	Mount Herzl, Jerusalem
Known for	Wife of Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol

Miriam Eshkol (Hebrew: מרים אשכול‎‎; c. 1929 – November 26, 2016) was the widow of Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. In her years as the Prime Minister's wife (1964–1969) she was closely followed by the public and press, leading numerous public organization in promotion of public causes. Following Levi Eshkol's passing she founded and chaired Yad Levi Eshkol and served as its chairwoman from 1970 to 2008.

Miriam Eshkol (née Zelikowitz) was born in Bacău, Romania and emigrated with her parents to the British mandate of Palestine in 1930. She was raised in Ramat Gan and later in Tel Aviv. In 1947 she joined the Palmach and accompanied brigades en route to besieged Jerusalem. She continued her service in the Israel Defense Forces and was discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

She began studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, completing her BA in English literature and general history and MA in history, researching Medieval history and the crusades. During these years she was a research assistant and in 1956 began working at the Knesset library. Her studies were completed in 1962. The following year she considered further studies as a doctoral candidate in history of the arts, giving up her plan due to her change of status as a Prime Minister's wife.

During her first years studying in Jerusalem, she rented a room situated at the yard of governmental residence housed by Israeli Finance Minister Levi Eshkol and his wife Elisheva. The family formed close relations with her and she assisted Elisheva Eshkol during her years of ill health.