An Open Letter to University Presidents
3 min read
The trailblazing journalist was a proud Jew who embodied the trait of chutzpah.
Barbara Walters was one of the most influential women in media history. While the world mourns the passing of this trailblazing media icon, here are five Jewish moments of her amazing life.
Barbara, (center), with sister Jackie, her father Lou Walters, her then husband Lee Guber, and her mother Dena Walters, in the late 1960's. (Photo ABC News)
Barbara Walters was born in Boston in 1929 into a family that never lost its Jewish identity. His ancestors were originally from Lodz, Poland, and his original surname was Waremwasser, but his grandparents changed it to Warmwater when they emigrated to London, and it later mutated into Walters. Although they did not practice religious life at home, Barbara wrote in her memoirs that her mother lit Shabbat candles every Friday. Barbara also decided never to air on Yom Kippur out of respect to her religion.
Barbara interviewed countless presidents, including figures such as Fidel Castro and Richard Nixon. However, she said that one of the most unforgettable moments in her career was the first joint interview ever given by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin after signing the peace treaty in 1977.
After that interview she said that she was finally considered by her peers "a serious journalist."
Walters always identified herself as proud Jew, but she went a step further in a landmark 1976 interview with former Vice President Spiro Agnew, who in 1973 had resigned from office after being charged with criminal conspiracy, bribery, extortion and tax fraud. Away from politics, Agnew had written a novel with clear antisemitic overtones and Walters cornered him: "You have characters in the book talking repeatedly about the Jewish cabal, the Jewish Zionist lobby having too much influence in Congress. Is this how you see it?"
Beyond the occasional response, Barbara showed that she was not willing to pass up the opportunity to defend her values.
The first time Barbara Walters visited the land of Israel was in 1973, at the age of 43. She did so with the professional excuse of interviewing Prime Minister Golda Meir for the 25th anniversary of the State of Israel. The visit impacted her forever. She said, "To my great surprise, Israel overwhelmed me and aroused feelings I never knew I had. I couldn't get over the beauty of the land itself, at once rocky and arid, yet lush where the Israelis had ingeniously brought water to the desert. I felt a starting and quite strong connection."
In addition, Walters established a friendship relationship with Israeli politicians such as Yitzchak Rabin and one of special closeness with the Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan.
Barbara Walters was a fearless, dedicated and passionate journalist who was determined to break down barriers in a male-dominated world of journalism. A pioneer in journalism, she embodied the Jewish trait of chutzpah, driven to accomplish the unthinkable, while remaining a proud member of the Jewish people.
May her soul rest in peace.
With thanks to Jewishunpacked.com
