Nitza Lowenstein

Israeli-Australian radio presenter and journalist

Nitza Lowenstein

ניצה לוונשטיין

Born|

Nitza Vengosh[1]

1953

Tel Aviv, Israel

Alma mater| University of the Witwatersrand
Macquarie University
Occupation(s)| Radio presenter, journalist
Years active| 1988–2023
Employer| SBS Radio (1988–2023)
Spouse| Arthur Lowenstein
Children| 3

Nitza Lowenstein (Hebrew: ניצה לוונשטיין; born 1953) is a retired Israeli-Australian radio broadcaster and producer. She is best known for presenting and producing radio shows for SBS Radio in both Modern Hebrew and English, from 1988 to 2023.[2]

## Early life

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Lowenstein was born and raised in Tel Aviv in Israel in 1953. Most of her childhood friends at that time were children of Holocaust survivors.[3] She married her South African husband, Arthur Lowenstein, in a traditional Jewish ceremony in Johannesburg, where they lived.[4] Lowenstein graduated with an MA in History & Literature in 1977 from the city's University of the Witwatersrand. She emigrated with her husband to Australia in the same year. They have three children together.[5]

## Career

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In 1984, she began working for Emanuel School, an independent Jewish Day School in Sydney, where she coordinated the Hebrew and Jewish Studies curriculum in the Infants School.[6]

### SBS

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In March 1988, Lowenstein began producing and presenting radio programs for SBS Radio, a public service broadcaster in Australia with programmes in both Hebrew and English.[2] During her 33.5 tenure she interviewed prominent global Jewish figures. In 1988 she interviewed Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel.[7] She also interviewed the Israeli writer A. B. Yehoshua in 1996.[8] In 2005, she interviewed  Fiddler on the Roof star, Chaim Topol.[9] In 2016, she interviewed rabbi Shmuley Boteach.[10]

She also interviewed key political figures from Israel, including prime ministers, Shimon Peres in 1994 and Benjamin Netanyahu in 1998.[2] In 2016, she interviewed the Israeli Minister of Justice, Amir Ohana.[11] In 2018, she interviewed Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, when he was head of the Jewish Agency.[12]

In addition, she has interviewed prominent Jewish Australians such as Ronni Kahn, Alex Ryvchin and politician Josh Frydenberg.[13][14][15] She has also interviewed local entertainment figures such as singer Lior.[16]

She interviewed non-Jewish politician, Pauline Hanson in 1997.[17]

She has also produced and presented special educational programmes on Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur, Kol Nidrei, Hanukkah and Purim.[18][19][20]

She has also produced special reports from Israel, such as when she was in the country during the 2022 Gaza–Israel clashes.[21]

In 2019, Lowenstein recorded a tribute marking the life and work of the late Israeli writer, Amos Oz.[22] She has also produced and broadcast specials marking key events in Israeli history, such as the Yom Kippur War.[23]

## See also

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* Israeli Australians

## References

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1. ^ New South Wales Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Periodic (National : 1977 - 2011). 2 September 1981]
2. ^ a b c Nitza Lowenstein Farewells SBS after 35.5 years of producing and broadcasting her radio shows SBS Hebrew. 25 August 2023
3. ^ A quarter-of-a-century on air The Australian Jewish News. 27 March 2012
4. ^ Nitza, the Jewish marriage celebrant migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved on 2 December 2024
5. ^ Sydney Celebrant Celebrating Love and Life sydneycelebrant.net.au. Retrieved on 2 December 2024
6. ^ From the Development Office Emanuel School. December 2018
7. ^ Elie Wiesel, Nobel laureate in 1988 SBS Interview with Nitza Lowenstein (Hebrew) SBS Hebrew. 9 March 2023
8. ^ AB Yehoshua, award winning writer, in SBS 1996 Interview with Nitza Lowenstein SBS Hebrew. 22 March 2023
9. ^ Tradition, tradition! Chaim Topol, Fiddler on the Roof SBS 2005 interview in Hebrew SBS Hebrew. 16 March 2023
10. ^ What is KOSHER SEX? Rabbi Shmulik Boteach explains to Nitza SBS Hebrew. 6 January 2016
11. ^ Amir Ohana MK a lawyer, former Shin Bet Official visiting Australia SBS Hebrew. 8 June 2016
12. ^ Isaac Herzog, New Chairman of Jewish Agency Hebrew interview SBS Hebrew. 8 July 2018
13. ^ Did you know, over 33,000 Jews were murdered 80 yrs ago, within two days at Babi Yar, Ukraine? Alex Ryvchin (English) SBS Hebrew. 7 October 2021
14. ^ Ronni Kahn Australia Day Ambassador Hebrew SBS. 29 January 2017
15. ^ Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in conversation with Nitza Lowenstein SBS Hebrew. 12 May 2019
16. ^ We speak with Lior in "Fiddler on the Roof" SBS Hebrew. 27 March 2016
17. ^ Pauline Hanson in 1997 SBS interview with Nitza Lowenstein SBS. 9 March 2023
18. ^ Yom Kippur & Kol Nidrei (English) Tradition, History & Rituals SBS Hebrew. 2 October 2022
19. ^ Happy Chanukah! The Narrative, Songs & Customs with Nitza Lowenstein SBS Hebrew. 15 December 2019
20. ^ Purim Story, told by Nitza Lowenstein (English) SBS Hebrew. 25 February 2018
21. ^ Special: Nitza Lowenstein reports from Israel SBS Hebrew. 7 August 2022
22. ^ Israel's most famous author, Amos Oz, his life and legacy By: Nitza Lowenstein (Hebrew) SBS Hebrew. 2 January 2019
23. ^ 47 years to Yom Kippur War...listen to original recordings including PM Golda Meir from 6.10.1973 (Hebrew) SBS Hebrew. 4 October 2020

## External links

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* Nitza Lowenstein at SBS