Aura Herzog - Biography

Aura Herzog, née Ambache (1928 - ) was the wife of Chaim Herzog, the sixth President of the State of Israel.

Aura Herzog was born in Egypt and educated in French schools in Ismailiya. She has a B.Sc. degree in mathematics and physics from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She married Herzog in 1947. Aura's sister, Suzy, is the widow of Abba Eban.

Herzog joined the Haganah. During the War of Independence, she served as an officer in the Science Corps. She was wounded during the siege of Jerusalem. She accompanied her husband, during his service in the United States, when he was the military attache (1950–1954), and Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations (1975–1978).

She initiated and established the Annual Bible Contest (1959), which has become an integral part of the tradition and culture of Israel and was a member of the Council of Culture and Art (1959–1968). She established the "Council for a Beautiful Israel" (1968) and serves as its international President.

Aura Herzog is a member of the board of trustees of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

She wrote the first book of etiquette in Hebrew, The Secrets of Hospitality, which was published in Israel. She also served as art critic for the Jewish Chronicle.

The Herzogs have four children: Yoel, Michael, Isaac Herzog, and Ronit, and grandchildren.