eaven

Dr. Ruth tells all

SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

• ';•tiftt. - 4:0; •

D

In my inimitable way, I'm going to
r. Ruth Westheimer — known
as 'Dr. Ruth"to those who read weave back and forth from issues of hu-
her syndicated newspaper col- man sexuality — and knowledge that we
umn or hear her on radio and have in the field — to the Jewish tradition
TV — survived the Holocaust and went and explain my stand and attitude.
on to help others survive the most personal
Q: How would you describe your ap-
kinds of crises: psychosexual.
The educator, therapist and public per- proach in presenting this informa-
sonality was born in Germany in 1928. tion?
Westheimer escaped to Switzerland and A: Fm going to explain why I believe my
later relocated to Israel, where she became being Jewish has been instrumental in my
a member of the Haganah to fight for the being able to talk about the issues that I
country's independence. talk about so explicitly.
After immigrating to the TJnited States
The Talmud says, "A lesson taught with
in 1956, she obtained her master's degree humor is a lesson retained," and my sp-
in sociology from the New School of Social proach combines learning and a good time.
Research and a doctorate of ed- For somebody like me, who
ucation in the interdisciplinary Dr. Ruth Westheimer: came out of Nazi Germany, the
Sex has never been
study of the family from Co-
considered a sin for us one thing that I certainly have
lumbia University.
learned is that you have to
Jews. It has always
A pioneer in the field of me-
stand up and be counted for
been considered a
dia psychology with her call-in mitzvah, a good deed." what you believe. I feel that
radio program, "Sexually very strongly, and that's an-
Speaking," she went on to television with other thing that Fm going to talk about.
'The Dr. Ruth Show," "Ask Dr. Ruth" and
Fm not going to talk about the issues of
`The All New Dr. Ruth Show."
World War II, even though they affected
Besides writing 14 books, the popular me specifically.
therapist has made videos including 'Ter-
rific Sex," "Arousal, Foreplay & Orgasm" Q: Could you give any examples of
and "10 Secrets for Greater Sensual how the Jewish tradition celebrates
sexuality?
Pleasure."
Anticipating her May 21 talk at Tem- A: First of all is the obligation to be fruit-
ple Beth El, Westheimer, who recently ful, and not only to be fruitful, because
became a widow, spoke with The De- there's also an obligation on the man to
troit Jewish News about her work and provide his wife with sexual satisfaction,
outlook.
even after menopause. That shows sex is
Q: What will you be emphasizing for recreation and not only procreation.
Another aspect is the issue of the oblig-
in your speech?
ation to be sexually active on Friday night,
A: I'm going to talk about sexuality and I'm going to cite passages showing
and the Jewish tradition. Fm going to how smart and brilliant our sages were at
cover the book Heavenly Sex, which I what they did to provide some arousal. Fm
wrote with Jonathan Mark, a very not going to say that now because I want
knowledgeable, Orthodox author. I people to hear that at the lecture.
will cite passages arising from the
I will be talking specifically about the
Jewish tradition that show sex has Orthodox tradition.
never been considered a sin for us
Jews. It has always been considered a Q: How did you become involved with
the topic of sexuality?
mitzvah, a good deed.