Page 4 - September 2020

Dr. Ruth Westheimer - Self Made Woman

Continued from page 2 High School of Science in New York in relationship advice, but after two divorces, had helped rescue Westheimer from Nazi
commemoration of Yom HaShoah 2008. it was her third marriage, to Manfred ‘Fred’ Germany. She still lives in the “cluttered
two teen advice shows called What’s Westheimer spoke about her life story Westheimer, that was the “real three-bedroom apartment in Washington
Up, Dr. Ruth? and a call-in show, You’re and the audience of 500 sang “Happy marriage”. She met Fred on a skiing trip in Heights where she raised her two
on the Air with Dr. Ruth in 1990. In 1993 Birthday” in honor of her 80th birthday. the Catskills. Fred, too, had escaped Nazi children and became famous, in that
Westheimer and Israeli TV host, Arad At the ceremony she received an Germany. Their marriage lasted until his order,” to be near the two synagogues of
Nir, hosted a talk show in Hebrew honorary Bronx High School of Science death in 1997. She has two children, Miriam which she is a member, the YMHA of
titled Min Tochnit, on the newly diploma. In 2002, she received the Leo and Joel, and four grandchildren. In which she was president for three years,
opened Israeli Channel 2. The show Baeck Medal for her humanitarian work December 2014, Westheimer was a guest at and a “still sizable community of German
was similar to her US Sexually promoting tolerance and social justice. an Orthodox Jewish wedding in the Bronx. Jewish World War II refugees.” She
Speaking show. The name of the In the 1980s and 1990s, Westheimer The groom, Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt, speaks English, German, French,
show, Min Tochnit, is a play on words: was a frequent guest on late-night talk is the great-grandson of the woman who and Hebrew. Net worth approximately
literally “Kind of a program”, but shows like The Tonight Show and Late $3 million dollars.
“Min” (îéï) in Hebrew also means Night with Conan O’Brien. She also
“sex” and “gender”. appeared on talk shows on German A Sense of Purpose: Join a Service Group
During the 1980s “Dr. Ruth” became television. In 2019, she was a guest
a household name; she made guest on The View, The Today Show and Late If you are looking for a way to give back, support women’s issues and have an
appearances on several network Night with Seth Meyers. opportunity to develop worthwhile friendships, please contact us.
television shows, including The Tonight Westheimer is an SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL is comprised of profes-
Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late accomplished ethnographer. Her studies sional women who have agreed to work together serving their
Night with David Letterman. She also in this field include the Ethiopian community. Motto: “To improve the lives of women and girls
[24]
made frequent appearances on the Jews, Papua New Guinea’s Trobriand in local communities and throughout the world.” We welcome
syndicated revival of Hollywood Islanders, and the Druze, a sect interest from women in Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Brea for
Squares that ran from 1986 to 1989. In originating from Shia Islam now
the 1990s Westheimer appeared as residing in Israel, Syria and Lebanon. a local group, please contact us at 1-949-795-2776 for details.
herself in episode 89 of Quantum Leap, The latter were the subject of her
the episode title being “Dr. Ruth”. 2007 PBS documentary The Olive and the Check out the website at www.soropmist.org to learn more about
Between 2001 and 2007, Westheimer Tree: The Secret Strength of the Druze and a
made regular appearances on book of the same title. all programs and other locations. Collaboration is fun and we have
the PBS children’s television Westheimer is a trustee of the Museum more power when we choose to work together. Think about the
series Between the Lions as “Dr. Ruth of Jewish Heritage in New York City. difference you can make in the world that surrounds you.
Wordheimer” in a spoof of her A documentary about her life, Ask Dr. For more information, please call 1-949-795-2776
therapist role in which she helps Ruth, premiered in U.S. theaters on May
anxious readers and spellers overcome 3, 2019 and was released on Hulu on June
their fear of long words. In January 1, 2019.
2009, the 55th anniversary issue Having previously avoided discussing www.nbynews.com
of Playboy magazine included her early years and how the Holocaust
Westheimer as #13 in a list of the 55 affected her family and herself,
most important people in sex from the Westheimer believes that current events Refreshed for the
past 55 years. In October 2013 the make it necessary for her to “stand up
play Becoming Dr. Ruth opened Off and be counted.” She stated that seeing
Broadway. Actress Debra Jo child refugees being separated from their Smart & Savvy Adult
Rupp played the role of Dr. Ruth. The parents upsets her, because her own
play showcased the sex therapist’s life story is reflected in what they are going
from fleeing the Nazis in the through. Westheimer continues to be an
Kindertransport and joining active figure. In addition to the
the Haganah in Jerusalem as a scout documentary released about her this Email Subscriptions Available
and sniper, to her struggles to succeed year, she has recently published her 45th
as a single mother coming to book. On her 91st birthday (June 4),
America. Eileen DeSandre played Dr. Westheimer visited the Ellen DeGeneres Interactive & Informative
Ruth in the Virginia Repertory Theatre show, and visited Ellen’s show again in
production of Becoming Dr. Ruth. November 2019, taking questions from
Westheimer has the audience. In 2019 alone, Westheimer For Seniors, By Seniors, About Seniors
delivered commencement speeches at has appeared on Late Night with Seth
the Hebrew Union Meyers, The View, and Strahan, Sara and
College seminary, Lehman College of Keke. Check It Out!
the City University of New York and, Personal life
in 2004, at Trinity College, where she
has been awarded honorary Dr. Ruth Westheimer in 2009. www.nbynews.com
degrees. She also taught courses and Westheimer has been married three
seminars at Princeton and Yale, and times. She said that each of her marriages
was the guest speaker at the Bronx played an important role in her

4 September 2020