Sonia Gelman studied at the Ben Shemen youth village where she lived, and where she met Shimon Persky, later Shimon Peres. Peres joined the Gar'in that was founded by Kibbutz Alumot, and Sonia stayed in the village to complete her matriculation studies. Although their relationship continued after graduating, mainly through correspondence, during World War II the two separated, with Shimon remaining on the kibbutz, and Sonia enlisting to the British Army.