PERSITZ, SHOSHANAH

PERSITZ, SHOSHANAH (1893–1969), Israeli publisher and politician. Born in Kiev, the daughter of hillel zlatopolski the banker and Zionist leader, she was educated at the universities of Moscow and Paris. From 1909 she was a leading figure in the Hebrew language movement Tarbut in Russia. In 1917, together with her husband, she established the Omanut publishing house in Moscow and in 1920, in Frankfurt. When she settled in Palestine in 1925, Persitz brought her press with her and headed it until her death. For many years Omanut Press was the main publisher of Hebrew educational material and books for youth. From 1926 to 1935 Persitz was a councillor of the Tel Aviv Municipality and director of its education department. From 1949 to 1961 she was a member of the knesset , representing the general zionists , and served as chairman of the Knesset's education committee. In 1968 she was awarded the Israel Prize in education. (Benjamin Jaffe)