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Vera Weizmann

Vera Weizmann was a physician and Zionist activist who served as the first First Lady of Israel from 1949 to 1952.

1881 to 1966First First Lady of IsraelCo-founding WIZORehabilitation of wounded soldiers

Born: 27 November 1881, Rostov-on-Don
Died: 24 September 1966, London
Occupation: physician, activist
Education: University of Geneva
Founded: Women's International Zionist Organization (1920)

Vera Weizmann was born in 1881 in Rostov-on-Don

Vera Weizmann was born in Rostov-on-Don on 27 November 1881 to a wealthy Jewish family. Her father, Isaiah Chatzman, was a wholesale clothing merchant. She did not receive a Jewish education or learn Hebrew.

In 1899 she began studying medicine at the University of Geneva. There she met Chaim Weizmann at the university's Zionist Club. She completed her medical studies in 1906, and the two married that year.

The couple settled in Manchester, and in 1913 she received her English medical license. She worked as a doctor at public clinics for infants. In 1916 she left medicine to join her husband's work during the First World War.

In 1920 she was among the founders of WIZO and later served as its president. She led Youth Aliyah work in England. After the War of Independence she founded the association of disabled veterans of that war and two rehabilitation centers for wounded soldiers.

She was First Lady from 1949 until her husband's death in 1952 and stayed in their home in Rehovot. She also supported Magen David Adom and ILAN. She died in London on 24 September 1966 and was buried in Rehovot.