NPR's Terry Gross visits Congregation Beth Or

It is a distinct and familiar voice—familiar because it is heard by more than 4.5 million listeners.  It is the voice of Terry Gross, award-winning host and co-executive producer of the popular National Public Radio (NPR) show Fresh Air, produced locally in Philadelphia.

On Feb. 26 at Congregation Beth Or, over 300 people were able to connect this voice with a face, as Gross appeared as the featured speaker at the kick-off for Beth Or’s adult learning program, the Beit Sefer Café.

Perched on a leather armchair, the petite host of Fresh Air shared her approach to interviewing, and even offered a glimpse into her own background.

Gross spent her early life growing up in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. After a brief and unsuccessful stint as a teacher, she happened upon a job in public radio. 

In 1975, Gross became host and producer of Fresh Air on WHYY.  Over 35 years and numerous awards later, she has clearly found the right fit.

Today, Fresh Air is broadcast nationally and covers a wide spectrum of current arts and culture through Gross’ interviews with the likes of James Brown, Natalie Portman, Philip Roth and the Coen brothers.

Speaking to a captivated audience at Beth Or, Gross explained that in doing arts and culture interviews, she tries to make connections between the artists’ lives and their work because “most artists are born with a gift that is shaped by what happens to them in their lives.” 

This perspective, coupled with Gross’ hours of intense preparation, translates into some unusual and offbeat questions.  Recognizing the right to privacy—even for celebrities—Gross begins her interviews with the caveat that if her questions get too personal, she will move on at the artist’s request, she said.

Describing the interview as “an incomplete and flawed form,” but one that she loves because it is “really revealing,” Gross treated the audience in Beth Or’s packed sanctuary to clips of some of her interviews. Audience members heard snippets of her conversations with George Clooney, Hustler magazine’s Larry Flynt, the late singer and songwriter Vic Chesnutt, and the comedic actor, writer and cartoonist Robert Smigel, in character as Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. 

Gross also played excerpts from controversial interviews with Lynne Cheney, wife of the former vice president; Gene Simmons from the band Kiss; and Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly.

Beth Or’s Terry Gross program, which was funded in part by the Kehillah of Bux-Mont, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia, included a question-and-answer session. 

In closing, Gross, who described herself as a nonpracticing Jew, quipped, “My parents have passed on, but it would have meant a lot to them to know that I was here talking to you in a synagogue.”

It meant a lot to the people attending the program, as well.  Lorna Petersen, co-chairwoman of Beth Or’s Lifelong Learning Committee, which organized the event, summed up the general sentiment.

“I am very excited that we were able to offer a well-known and thought-provoking speaker like Terry Gross to come to Beth Or to kick off our Beit Sefer Café,” Petersen said.

Petersen’s committee welcomes Beth Or members and nonmembers alike to continue their pursuit of intellectually stimulating programming by attending Beit Sefer Café classes, held on two Tuesday evenings, March 8 and 15. Topics range from issues in biblical history to school violence.

There are also hands-on programs such as cooking, journaling and yoga. For more information and a complete list of programs, consult the Beth Or website.