Dr. Ruth speaks of her 'love affair' with Israel at JPost Conference

The German-born octogenarian who was orphaned by the Holocaust explains that her relation with the Jewish state began some 70 years ago.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: MAY 23, 2016 12:23
Ruth Westheimer at JPost Annual Conference
Renowned sex therapist and media personality Dr. Ruth Westheimer detailed anecdotes of her "love affair' with Israel on Sunday at The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York.
The German-born octogenarian who was orphaned by the Holocaust explained that her relation with the Jewish state began some 70 years ago.
Known colloquially a "Dr. Ruth," she told outgoing Post Editor-in-Chief Steve Linde that the outcome of her experience from the Holocaust was to engage in the work of 'tikkun olam' - the Jewish concept for repairing the world.
"I didn't know my repairing the world be about talking about sex day and night," the jovial cultural icon quipped.
However, she turned to a more serious note boasting of her children and grandchildren and underlining that: "Hitler lost and I won." 
Westheimer then recounted how she moved to British-controlled Mandatory Palestine and served as a sniper in the Haganah
The celebrated psychologist, who still speaks Hebrew, plans to come to Israel on June 8 to promote one of her most recent books.
While she stressed that she does not talk about politics, she explained, however, that she is interested in education, particularly about the mutual education of Israeli and Arab cultures.
"There has to be more of a dialogue," she noted, wittily adding "and not just about sex".
Throughout her interview on her proverbial love affair with Israel Westheimer garnered voracious applause. When turning to speak about a real love she likely turned a few faces red when mentioning her first sexual experience that took place on a kibbutz in Israel.


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