“Since 1964 I ran the America-Israel Cultural Foundation in New York, which was on 5151 w.51st street. Nehemia Argov, who was Ben Gurion’s Adjutant, introduced me to Batsheva. She was living in a big apartment on 93rdstreet. Many people came to visit, and they always talked about dance. She met Martha Graham after the Second World War and supported her financially, and then decided to establish a company in Israel. The entire Rothschild family objected to her initiatives, but she persisted, because she was a leader who made independent decisions. Sadly, she later lost her path [i.e. leaving the Company and founding the Bat-Dor Dance Company] it was a difficult time for all. It was like a divorce. She was in love with Bat Dor, but I think that in her subconscious she knew Bat Dor wasn’t as good.
Where did the name come from? I think Batsheva didn’t want to give her name to the Company. Martha Graham insisted.”
Ralph Goldman, Batsheva de Rothschild’s friend
