Aliza Olmert

Aliza Olmert ( _he. עליזה אולמרט) (born 1946) is an Israeli artist, photographer, author and social worker. Olmert is married to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Biography

Aliza Olmert was born in a displaced persons camp in Eschwege, Germany. Her parents were Holocaust survivors from Łódź. She grew up in Ramat Gan and served as a topographer and platoon commander in the Israel Defense Forces. [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981971.html That Midas touch - Haaretz - Israel News ] ] She met her husband, Ehud Olmert, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where she was studying social work. The Guardian:"The unlikely first lady," Rachel Shabi (5 May 2006)] http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1768101,00.html] The Olmerts live in Jerusalem's Katamon neighborhood. They have five children, one of them adopted.

Art career

In 1985-1988, at the age of 40, Olmert studied environmental design at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. In Israel, Olmert has exhibited at the Museum on the Seam in Jerusalem, the Museum of Israeli Art in Ramat Gan, the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv and the Tel Aviv Artists' House. Her work has also been exhibited in Japan, Uruguay, Italy, Britain, Poland, Argentina and New York. In March 2008, she was awarded the Steiger Prize in Germany.

Politics

Olmert espouses left-wing politics, and has been accused of influencing her husband's political views. Olmert dislikes the political limelight, and says that their most difficult period as a couple was 1993-2003, when Ehud was mayor of Jerusalem.

ocial welfare

Olmert is active in social programs promoting child welfare. She is the chairman of Or Shalom and Tlalim, which aid children at risk and families with homebound sick children. [ [http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/1,7340,L-3250714,00.html Ynet עליזה אולמרט: לא אוותר על הבריחות לתל אביב - חדשות ] ] Olmert is also a member of the Action Committee for Children of Foreign Workers.

Published Work

*"Wall Language" (co-authored with Gayil Hareven) [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=910592 'Ma'ayan and Motti were here and had wild sex' - Haaretz - Israel News ] ]
*"Fantasy for Piano" (a play performed by the Cameri Theater)

References

External links

* [http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/PM/PM+Wife/ Aliza Olmert Bio on pmo.gov.il]
* [http://www.mots.org.il/heb/exhibitions/dead_end/Olmert.asp Aliza Olmert - Dead End - Exhibition]
* [http://www.coexistence.art.museum/heb/exhibitions/Equal/Olmert.asp Aliza Olmert - Israel - Exhibition]
* [http://www.informazionecorretta.com/main.php?mediaId=2&sez=120&id=16306 Dal CORRIERE della SERA: 'Ritratto di Aliza Olmert, la first lady israeliana' by Davide Frattini (14 may 2006)]
* [http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/1,7340,L-3250714,00.html YNET: 'Aliza Olmert: I will not give up on escapes to Tel Aviv' by Nir Magal (14 May 2006)]