Pnina Gary, Israeli playwright and theatre director, Died at 95

Pnina Gary: A Remarkable Life in Theatre and Film

Pnina Gary (Hebrew: פנינה גרי; née Dromi; September 24, 1927 – August 2, 2023) was a prominent Israeli actress and theatre director, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.

Early Life and Education

Pnina Dromi, born on September 24, 1927, was a native of Nahalal in Mandatory Palestine. She hailed from a family deeply connected to its Ukrainian roots. Her parents, Yosef Dromi (previously Kotlar) and Tzipora Ostrowski, made aliyah from Ukraine in 1919.

Gary pursued her early education at Nahalal's Agricultural High School and later enrolled in a teachers' seminar to fulfill her aspiration of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

Tragic Turn of Events and Dedication

In March 1948, a few days before her planned wedding to Eli, the son of Rachel Yanait and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi (the second president of Israel), tragedy struck. Eli, her fiancé and a Palmach member, lost his life in an Arab ambush at their kibbutz, Beit Keshet.

Despite the heart-wrenching loss, in September 1948, Pnina volunteered to aid teachers in DP camps near Munich, seeking to support Jewish children who survived the Holocaust. Her dedication led her to establish kindergartens and provide essential care to these children in the aftermath of the Beit Keshet battle.

Love and Family

It was in Munich that she crossed paths with Robert Gary, a Jewish American journalist reporting from the camps. Their shared experiences and dedication brought them closer, culminating in their marriage in Germany in late 1949. Shortly after their wedding, they relocated to Israel.

The couple was blessed with two daughters, Dorit and Meirav, the latter becoming the mother of renowned rapper Michael Cohen, making Pnina a proud grandmother.

Contributions and Legacy

Pnina Gary's legacy extended beyond her family. She became a notable figure in Israeli journalism, contributing a weekly column to Davar, an Israeli newspaper, for two years.

Passing

On August 2, 2023, Pnina Gary passed away in Tel Aviv at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of passion for the arts and a lifetime of dedication to nurturing young minds through education and art. Her contributions to theatre and film continue to resonate, inspiring generations to come.