Mourning the Loss of Our Beloved Dr. Ruth
Mourning the Loss of Our Beloved Dr. Ruth
July 16, 2024
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, z”l
It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Dr. Ruth Westheimer z”l, a cherished member of our Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) family. Dr. Ruth, a Holocaust orphan who overcame immense adversity, became a trailblazer in the field of sex therapy and education. Her contributions transcended boundaries, impacting countless lives through her compassionate guidance and groundbreaking work.
As an honorary board member of the A4BGU, and a recipient of an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University (BGU), Dr. Ruth’s commitment to education and her unwavering support for our institution have left an indelible mark.
Dr. Ruth, lived a remarkable and colorful life long before she even began her media career at the age of 52. A Holocaust survivor, she later emigrated to pre-state Israel and served in the Haganah until she was seriously wounded during the Independence War. She then moved to France before settling in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.
Remaining active well into her 90s, and reveled in the attention and accolades she continued to receive: In 2019, she was the subject of a documentary on Hulu, titled “Ask Dr. Ruth,” and in 2021, actress Tovah Feldshuh played her in a one-woman off-Broadway show titled “Becoming Dr. Ruth.”
She continued to offer advice, post witty one-liners to her more than 100,000 Twitter followers, and make appearances on behalf of her favorite charities and causes, including many Jewish and Zionist organizations.
In 2021, she received an honorary doctorate from BGU, where she backed the creation of the Dr. Ruth Westheimer Scholarship in Psychology. In her virtual comments accepting the degree, Westheimer said she recalls being in Jerusalem in 1948 when David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. “I heard Ben-Gurion declare the State of Israel to be a state; I was in Jerusalem, he talked on the radio in Tel Aviv, and we danced the entire night.” – Dr. Ruth Westheimer
Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of students, scholars, and professionals worldwide. A4BGU extends our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Ruth’s family, friends, and all who were touched by her warmth, wisdom, and pioneering spirit. May her memory be a blessing.
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