Ruth Pearl’s Life Story in Her Own Words

In 2003, when my wife Ruth and I were editing the book “I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl,” we were extremely careful to include only essays that reflected direct and honest answers to the question asked: “What does being Jewish mean to you?” Ruth’s own essay in the book is a model of honesty and directness. It encapsulates in fact her entire life story, and the very essence of what being Jewish meant to her and to so many of us.

Ruth Pearl, who left us last week, was a graduate of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and held a Master’s degree in electrical engineering. She worked as a software developer and computer consultant, and served as CFO and secretary of the Daniel Pearl Foundation.

The following is an excerpt from the book “I Am Jewish” (Jewish Light, 2004), edited by Judea and Ruth Pearl, and winner of the National Jewish Book Award for 2004.

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“I absorbed many of the attitudes and values from my Jewish heritage, such as empowerment to question, zeal for honesty, reverence for learning, and deep commitment to create a better world for the next generation.”—Ruth Pearl

Growing up as a Jewish child in Baghdad left me with recurring nightmares of being chased by a knife-wielding Arab in the school’s stairway while 2,000 schoolmates screamed hysterically. The screaming was a real and frequent occurrence triggered by sudden noise or a minor accident in a chemistry lab, a consequence of the trauma from the June 1941 looting and massacre of 180 Jews in Baghdad.  I also remember my parents’ night vigils waiting for my two brothers to come home after their outings. Indeed, one time my father had to bail them out of jail with a bribe after they were arrested not far from home, just for being Jewish.

All that changed when we left for Israel in 1951. My acclimation to Israel was amazingly easy and natural, though my nightmares continued for many years. In Israel, one does not have to be an observant Jew to feel Jewish, an atmosphere that suited me perfectly. By the time my husband and I arrived in the United States in 1960 for postgraduate studies, I was a proud and secure Jew and did not expect anti-Semitism to ever touch my life.

I tried to pass along to my children my ethical Judaism: a guilt-free, pragmatic religion with open-mindedness at its core.

I was raised in a moderately religious home and community, and I absorbed many of the attitudes and values from my Jewish heritage, such as empowerment to question, zeal for honesty, reverence for learning, and deep commitment to create a better world for the next generation. I tried to pass along to my children my ethical Judaism: a guilt-free, pragmatic
religion with open-mindedness at its core.

My security and sense of justice were shattered with the murder of my son, Daniel.

Like many generations before us, we are now embarking on a new war against anti-Semitism and fanaticism. More than ever before, I am conscious of my Jewishness and my obligation to contribute to its preservation, for I feel bonded to people who share my values and my commitments. Driven by the vision of Danny—a proud Jew who continues to inspire people with his values and dignity—we will win this war, as did our ancestors for many generations.

Judea Pearl is a Chancellor professor at UCLA, co-author of “The Book of Why,”
and president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation (www.danielpearl.org), named after his son.