Golda Meir, world leader with Milwaukee ties, featured in blockbuster movie

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A world leader who grew up in Milwaukee will be featured on the big screen.

The film, Golda, directed by Guy Nattiv, starring Hellen Mirren, highlights the life and legacy of Golda Meir, the fourth, and first female prime minister of Israel.

Meir was someone who people described as a no-nonsense woman, a leader who often had to make tough choices, with her story of teaching and activism beginning in Milwaukee.

"Golda is our sister, our daughter, the daughter of Milwaukee," said Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Center (JCC).

Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Meir moved to Milwaukee with her parents in 1906, when she was a child. And as she grew, she found a love for teaching.

She would go on to teach Yiddish to Milwaukee youth.

Shapiro went on to say Meir saw a need to help those less fortunate.

"The idea of activism was very different back then, really pure and focused."

Meir continued her mission of service, moving to Palestine to serve as a politician for Jewish people.

She would later take up the rank in her most notable role as the fourth, and first female prime minister of Israel.

"At the end of the day, I think we are looking at somebody who really had a core activism for what was right for human beings," said Shapiro.

Now, her work is being showcased on the big screen.

"You see a Golda that we haven’t seen in most of the other movies or stories before," said Shapiro.

The film is giving members of the Milwaukee Jewish community hope it will serve as an inspiration for today's Jewish youth.

"I hope maybe they would watch this movie and understand what had been done beforehand to make Israel exist, and maybe open their minds to the challenges that Israel is facing now," said Shapiro.

Wednesday, Aug.30, the JCC will host a viewing party for the movie at the Marcus North Shore Cinema, followed by a talkback with people who lived a life with Golda.

The showing begins at 6 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. talkback.