Inside David Ben-Gurion’s Head
Inside David Ben-Gurion’s Head
March 29, 2012
Israel Studies, Culture & Jewish Thought
To browse through David Ben-Gurion’s extensive archives of personalized letters and diary entries written prior to, during and after the founding of the State, is to catch a glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential people in Israel’s history.
Dr. Paula Kabalo, chair of BGU’s new Israel Studies International Graduate Program and a researcher in the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism, has meticulously studied these archives, providing accessible documents for fellow researchers, students and visitors to learn more about Ben-Gurion and the founding of the nation.
Through his scrupulously organized collection of letters and journal entries, researchers have learned just how sincere and visionary Ben-Gurion was, always devoting equal attention to strangers, kibbutzniks, the early pioneers, and heads of state.
This sincerity and passion characterized much of Ben-Gurion’s life; he was known to work well into the night while his wife Paula slept. His dream was to build the Jewish state, “conquer the Negev” and make the desert bloom.
It is only natural that the university that sits in the middle of the Negev desert is named after David Ben-Gurion, as this is where he saw the greatest challenge and most potential for the future of the State of Israel.
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