Rachel Shalon facts for kids

Rachel Shalon (born Rachel Znanmirowska) was a very important engineer and professor. She was the first woman engineer in Israel. She was also the first person, male or female, to become a full professor at the Technion university. She was born in March 1904 and passed away in 1988.

Early Life and Education

Rachel Znanmirow was born in Kalush, Poland, in 1904. Her family was Hasidic, and her father worked as a lumber merchant. She grew up in a town called Kalisz.

Her father taught Rachel and her siblings to be independent. When she was young, she really wanted to learn Hebrew, even though her father did not allow it. At age fifteen, she decided to attend a Jewish school in Warsaw. She wanted to leave her private school because of antisemitism, which is unfair treatment against Jewish people.

Her parents did not want her to leave home. So, Rachel went on a hunger strike until they agreed. She moved to her aunt's home in Warsaw. There, she finished high school with excellent grades in mathematics.

Rachel then studied chemical engineering at a polytechnic institute in Warsaw. She faced antisemitism there too. She planned to move to the Czech Republic to continue her studies. But in 1925, she joined a group of Jewish students on a trip to Eretz Yisrael, which was then called Mandatory Palestine. The Hebrew University had just opened there.

Rachel decided to stay in Eretz Yisrael. This decision upset her parents, and they stopped supporting her financially. She then studied structural engineering at the Technion university. While studying, she also worked in the laboratories of the Nesher cement factory. She graduated in 1930.

Career Highlights

From 1931 until she retired in 1973, Rachel Shalon worked at the Technion. She was part of the civil engineering faculty. Over the years, she held many important roles. She was Vice President for Research and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She also became the Dean of the School for Graduate Studies.

In 1956, Shalon became a full professor. In 1965, she was made the Rector of the Technion. This was a very high position. At that time, only about 8% of engineering students at the Technion were women. Rachel Shalon said she felt a special connection with the female students. They would often talk to her about their personal problems.

Besides her work at the university, Rachel Shalon was also involved in the Hagana organization. This was a Jewish paramilitary organization in Palestine. When the State of Israel was created, she served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces. She held the rank of Major.

Soon after Israel was established, Shalon became the head of the building committee. This committee was part of the Scientific Council in the Prime Minister's Office. She stayed in this role until 1956. She left because she felt there wasn't enough money for construction research. After leaving, Shalon started the Building Research Station. She led this station for 20 years.

Rachel Shalon was also a member of the Council for Higher Education in Israel. In 1954, she started the local chapter of the Soroptimist organization. This group helps women and girls. Later, she became the president of its European federation. In 1959, Shalon was chosen as president of RILEM. This is an international group for experts in construction materials. In 1962, she joined the executive board of the International Council for Construction Research.

Rachel and her husband, Uriel Shalon, who was also an engineer, created a fund. This fund helped build student dorms in the city.

Awards and Honours

Rachel Shalon received several awards and honours for her important work:

• She was made an honorary citizen of Haifa.
• In 1980, she was one of the people chosen to light torches at the official Independence Day celebrations.
• In 1988, she received an honorary doctorate from the Technion university.

Personal Life

In 1930, Rachel Znanmirow married Uriel Shalon. He was also an engineer. After their marriage, she became known as Rachel Shalon.

Rachel Shalon's niece, Marjem Chatterton, also studied engineering at the Technion from 1934 to 1939. She became a leading structural engineer in both Israel and Zimbabwe.