Shulamit Cohen-Kishik lived a very long life, but you could really call it a double long life.
On the one hand, a dedicated homemaker, mother of seven children and a large family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was a model housewife who, in addition to cooking for her large family, loved knitting and embroidering.
On the other hand, Shulamit was a Mossad agent, a dedicated spy who worked tirelessly to smuggle Jews from Arab countries to Israel.
In 1924, Shulamit immigrated to Jerusalem where she met Yosef Cohen-Kishik a respected Lebanese Jewish merchant who came to the Holy City looking for a bride and found Shulamit.
In 1936 they married and settled in Beirut.
It didn’t take long for Shulamit to adjust to life in Lebanon.
She took part in the Jewish and Christian Phalanget social circles and was noted for her calm manner and likeable personality.
But Shulamit was leading a second secret life.
It started when she overheard a conversation at a social event between a group of Arab leaders discussing a proposed joint attack on the soon-to-be-established Jewish state.
Her reaction was of deep concern and she felt an immediate need to act.
Journey As a Spy
As she was unable to send mail or messages openly, she crafted a letter using invisible ink and managed to smuggle the letter across the border to Haganah headquarters located in Metula.
Shortly after, her bravery and initiative caught the attention of the pre-state Jewish intelligence agency, a precursor to the Mossad, and in 1947 Shulamit began her journey as a spy.
For the next fourteen years Shulamit carried out covert operations feeding Israel with high-level political and military intelligence.
Her level of expertise was an added bonus.
She spoke fluent Arabic, and was popular in social circles in Beirut where she developed good relations with Lebanese officials.
Shulamit helped thousands of Jews escape from hostile Arab nations through a vast smuggling network which involved using clever cover stories and complicated travel routes.
Jewish groups facing dangers and fleeing from Syria, Iraq and other Arab countries managed to find her home in Beirut which became a haven for frightened families.
It soon became a very busy escape route and each time one group made it to safety, another would arrive.
Free At Last
Shulamit’s devotion wasn’t just professional. It was deeply personal.
In 1949 she sent her two eldest sons to Israel for safety, later her daughter Yaffa during civil unrest in Lebanon.
In 1961, a critical mistake nearly cost her everything.
While returning from Israel via Turkey, her passport was accidentally stamped with an Israeli seal and on returning to Beirut she was promptly arrested and served a severe prison sentence for six years.
Following Israel’s victory in the Six-Day war, following a sudden and dramatic prisoner exchange, Shulamit and her family were airlifted to Israel via Cyprus.
At last she was free!
Shulamit wasn’t just a spy. She was a mother, a protector and a fierce believer in the power of one person to make a difference.
She lived for 100 years leaving behind a large family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carry forward her legend.
