Mae Weissenberg had three radio personalities, a tribute to her versatile talent. As Mrs. Weissenberg she was one of the announcers on the English programmes; as May Harlevan she was the able producer of English plays; and as Mary Merry (abbreviated from her maiden name of Merimsky) she was beloved of a large circle of children to whom she brought the fantasies and merriment - a coincidence in description she truly merited - of the PBS English Children's Hour.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in a suburb of which (Turffontein) her parents lived, May Merimsky came to palestine in 1934 with her family and settled in Tel aviv. She was an amateur actress of promise, as her performances with the Tel aviv Forum amateur dramatic group had shown, and when she came to Jerusalem in 1937 she soon obtained a position on the PBS programmes staff. She had married in 1936 a German-Jewish lawyer, Dr. Julian Weissenberg.
At firdt she was an announcer - who can forget her amusing lapsus linguaeon her first night when, in reading a weather forecast, her tongue tripped and she said'southern Rhodesia" instead of Southern Palestine? But later she showed the full range of of an excellent "acting voice" , and took various parts in a series of plays produced by the programme builders.
It was, however. in developing the English Children's Hour that she really excelled. Most of the material she wrote herself; she cajoled, bullied, solicited and dragged other people into writing and acting for her beloved children; on a board in her office at Broadcasting House was a collection of paintings and sketches presented by her adoring "children" who spent many a happy hour performing at the microphone under her direction or listening enthralled to her programmes. Her sympathy for and understanding of the young folk was profound, and she had a unique appreciation of their mentality. She was genuinely proud of the many youngsters whom she trained 'for the mike'.
Her infectious gaeity, her unflagging enthusiasm and ardour, her vitality and her ever-ready willingness for service will be missed by her associates and friends She was only 23, and on the threshold of a life of infinite promise.
J. L. M.
MR. ADEEB MANSOUR
Adeeb Mansour was born in Jerusalem 36 years ago and had attended the school of Schneller's Orphanage in Jerusalem, completing his engineering studies in Germany. He obtained the post of Assistant Engineer at the YMCA, Jerusalem in 1933, and three years later left to join the PBS, at the very outset of its activities.
He had been an active member of the YMCA a good gymnast, and a member of the Senior Leaders Corps.
Mr. Mansour had an exceptionally well-developd musical taste, and was able to follow the scores of Palestine Orchestra and PBS concerts while at the control panels. He was a willing and cheerful worker, and never seemed to have an idle moment. "mansour will do it", was the reassurance whensomeone was wanted for a job.
He was to have left for the Lebanon on saturday on holiday and have gone to London in the winter to attend an engineering course.