Helen Mirren plays Golda Meir in a new film. They're also (kind of) related.

By Philissa Cramer, JTA

JERUSALEM — Helen Mirren will soon become linked with Golda Meir in the minds of many viewers when she plays the late Israeli prime minister in a new film. But the award winning actress has another, real-life connection to Meir: the two are related, Israeli genealogical researchers revealed July 13.

Mirren was in Jerusalem for the Israeli premiere of Golda, the dramatic film she headlines about Meir’s handling of the Yom Kippur War — when Egypt, Syria, and a coalition of their allies invaded Israel and made significant headway before ultimately being rebuffed.

The movie headlined the Jerusalem Film Festival, with a red-carpet screening that evening.

During a press conference before the screening, researchers with MyHeritage presented Mirren with evidence linking her to Meir, who served as prime minister from 1969 to 1974 and remains the only woman to head Israel’s government.

The connection is distant, stretching nine generations back through Mirren’s paternal Russian ancestry, and through marriage only. The genealogy also connects Mirren to two Israeli presidents, Chaim and Ezer Weizman, and to the British royal family.

Still, Mirren — who is not Jewish — said the revelation offered an important lesson.

“It’s miraculous, isn’t it, really? It just goes to show that we are all one family actually,” she said. “In times of divisiveness and strife as I know Israel is in right now…It would be a very good thing to remember that fact.”

Israel’s political turmoil was a central topic of conversation during the press conference. Mirren and her Israeli collaborators — including director Guy Nattiv and co-star Lior Ashkenazi — reflected on the widespread protests against the right-wing government’s efforts to sap the power of the country’s Supreme Court.

“I am not Israeli...I’ve watched it from afar these past weeks,” said Mirren, who said at the Berlin premiere of Golda in February that she thought Meir would be “utterly horrified” by the current government’s efforts.

“I’m personally moved and excited when I see those huge demonstrations,” she added. “I think maybe it’s a pivotal moment in Israeli history.”

Nattiv said that he had been attending the demonstrations with his father “to stop this crazy thing from happening” and that he had encountered a veteran of the Yom Kippur War who compared the current moment to the existential threat that Israel faced — and overcame — then.

“In a way we are fighting to shape the future of our country,” he said.

The film portrays Meir being caught flat-footed by aggression from neighboring Arab countries, then overseeing a military response that transformed from fumbling to triumphant — and eventually led to Israeli-Egyptian peace in 1979, years after Meir left office.

It shows her deeply struggling over the deaths of Israeli soldiers who might have lived had she heeded warnings of war.

In 1974, Meir resigned amid divisions within her party over where to assign blame.

“She understood that as the leader of the country she had to take responsibility, and she did — unlike many other leaders who, when things go pearshaped, start pointing fingers at other people,” Mirren said. “I think that must have been incredibly painful.”

Mirren’s connection to Israel dates back to 1967, when she traveled with a Jewish boyfriend to work for a month on a kibbutz in the country’s north. “I’m amazed every time I come,” she said.

Her casting drew criticism for the decision to have a non-Jewish actress play one of history’s most prominent Jewish women.

About the debate over whether roles should be filled by actors whose identities overlap with the characters’, Mirren said, “I adhere to both camps.” She noted that she collaborated closely with the British theatre director Peter Cook, who pioneered color-blind casting in the 1970s and died last year at 97.

Nattiv said one of his Israeli colleagues had initially suggested Mirren because of her resemblance to his own grandmother.

He said, “I saw the Jewish soul in Helen immediately. We feel like it was the right move.”

Mirren said her motivations for taking the role were simple.

“I’m a horribly greedy actress. All I want to do is play great women,” said Mirren, who won an Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth II and has also played Queen Elizabeth I, among other historical figures. “And Golda was one of the greatest.”

Before Golda hits U.S. screens Aug. 25, Mirren has another major role — as the narrator in Barbie

She said both movies offered portrayals of strong women, and suggested a possible addition to the mounting list of promotional tie-ins for the hotly anticipated live-action film about the iconic doll.

She said, “I think we need a Golda Meir Barbie, don’t you think?”

Richard "Ric" Blum, age 69 of Clayton, passed away on July 3 after a courageous battle against cancer. Ric was vice president of Ohio Loan Company, a longstanding family-owned business. He served in many capacities at the state and national level of pawnbroker associations, including being named the National Pawnbrokers Association Pawnbroker of the Year in 2014, named the Ohio Pawnbrokers Association 2015 Ohio Pawnbroker of the Year, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Midwest Pawnbrokers Association in 2017. Ric was passionate about the industry and building relationships with others, exemplified by his many articles published in Today's Pawnbroker Magazine. He was a longtime member of Beth Jacob Congregation, Beth Abraham Synagogue, and Temple Israel. Those who knew him know that he was willing to help anyone with anything they needed, and his quick wit and sense of humor would put a smile on anyone's face. Ric was preceded in death by his father, Hyman F. Blum, in 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Linda Blum; mother, Sylvia Blum; his four children, Stephanie Henning (fiancé James Back Jr.), Michael (Kristin) Blum, Amy (Noam) Siegel, Emily Blum (fiancé Justin Clouser); grandchildren, Joel Henning, Gabriella and Charles Blum, Isla and Henry Siegel, Alex (Mackenzie) Henning, Brandon (Skyler) Henning; brother, Kenneth (Lisa) Blum; nephew, Philip (Rabbi Cantor Lily) Blum; great-grandchildren, Scott Henning, Dominic Henning; great-niece, Sunny Blum, other relatives and many friends. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Northmont Education Foundation or Beth Jacob Congregation in Ric's memory.

Obituaries

Melvin Saul Caplan passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 23. He was born Feb. 14, 1937 in Norfolk, Va. He attended Yeshiva University from 1955 to 1961 and graduated with a master's in social work. He was an Army veteran. He was a varsity wrestler in college and had two nationally published papers on social work. He taught at the University of Dayton for five years. He was the executive director of the Dayton Jewish Community Center for nearly 30 years and subsequently served as the chief operating officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton for several years. He enjoyed puzzles, fishing, reading, playing games, and finding the cheapest gasoline in the city. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Carolyn Caplan; his sister Rae Stern; and his parents, Arthur and Rosa Caplan. He is survived by his children, Jay (Rachel), Robert (Kathy), and Richard (Jessica); and his grandchildren, Andrew, Anna, Corbin, and Joshua. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

Anthony B. “Tony” Char, age 85 of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of the Dayton area, passed away on May 18. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helaine (Moltz) Char, and his parents, Isaac and Beebe Char. He is survived by his children, Debbie of Sarasota, DeeDee and David (Deb) of Dayton; grandchildren, Brandon (Candi), Brittany (Dustin), Jonathan (Ashley) and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Carter, Wyatt, Mayson and Liliana; his brothers, Sherman (Joan) Char and Jerry

(Judy) Char, sister-in-law Ruth Moltz and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country. Tony was a lifelong golfer and a founding member of the Michigan State University Chapter of Evans Scholars Golf Fraternity. His professional life was spent serving the local governments of Dayton, Troy, and Piqua, Ohio; and Louisville, Ky. Tony was instrumental in the growth and development of each of the communities he served, most notably the City of Dayton. Many of his initiatives are still evident today in each of those locations. He was very active in community association management in Sarasota and the greater area and served as president of each of the communities in which he resided. He was a force and is already missed by those who knew him. Interment at Riverview Cemetery.

Jonah Jordan Chesen was born in Buynaksk, Russia on Nov. 16, 1992 and passed away at the age of 30 in Miami Township. He leaves behind his loving mother and father, Judy and Alan Chesen, and his grandmother, Ethel Chesen. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Elsie Mintz; by his grandfathers, Harold Mintz and David Chesen; and by his uncle Jeffrey Chesen. He is survived by his aunts, cousins, and too many wonderful friends to mention. Jonah attended the University of Toledo, Sinclair College, and Franklin University. He loved movies, travel, soccer, hiking, and weightlifting and bodybuilding. He also loved to write and recently completed his first book. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Donations in Jonah’s memory may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue, House of Bread, or to the charity of your choice.

Monique Margolis, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on July 10 in Houston, Texas surrounded by members of her family. She will be remembered as a dedicated, strong, selfless, and loving mother, wife and daughter who devoted her entirety to her family and was loved dearly by them. Monique was born in Paris, France on June 20, 1934 to Estelle and Simon Knoploch. Her early life was disrupted by World War II, however, hidden as a young child, she was among the survivors in her family. After completing school, she embarked upon a career translating foreign films between French and Italian. She visited the United States later in life where she met her beloved husband, David Sterling Margolis, with whom she was married for 41 wonderful years. Monique and Sterling had two children and raised their family in Dayton, in what Monique treasured as among the happiest times of her life. Monique was known as a beautiful and elegant lady. She enjoyed piano, ballet, classical music, literature, and tennis. After Sterling’s passing, Monique spent time in Houston, Palm Beach, and New York City with her children and grandchildren. She gave more to her family than she ever asked for in return and will be dearly missed. She loved life and saw the beauty in life to the very end. She is survived by her son Michael and Mitra Margolis, her son Gregory and Lori Margolis, and her two grandsons, Blake and Jesse Margolis. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. The family kindly requests that donations be made in Monique’s memory to Temple Israel or to support the research of breast cancer and its cure, to the Lerner Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. Gifts may be sent to Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 or made online at clevelandclinic.org/giving.