“A force of nature can’t be turned off, it can only be redirected.”

“Both Ruth and Jack Hirschman became pivotal in my life as an artist.”

“She had this amazing capacity of getting me to describe every detail of growing up in a family of survivors and I could see in her eyes that she was taking it all in.”

“Suddenly, though, everything was brought to a halt by the sound of shattering glass. Someone had hurled something onto the porch through the plate glass window.”

"Hmm, Edward, you have a funny way of talking about art. I think you should try to do it on the radio..”

“She created KCRW by the sheer force of her intellect and interest.”

“Almost all the guests were Holocaust survivors and their families.”

“Ruth was a leader because people wanted to go where she was.”

“…and KCRW became part of National Public Radio—all due to Ruth’s vision.”

“It’s hard to believe now, but during their marriage Ruth felt that it was only Jack who was the bright light, the gifted one in the relationship.”

“When we left her house that afternoon, my sister and I decided that Ruth was one of the coolest adults we’d met.”

“She once told me, ‘I don't listen to your show, so I avoid the possibility of getting mad.’" 

“A few people in your life make a big impact. Ruth was one of those people.”

“Ruth was a giant, a fierce provocateur, and a great friend and mentor for many of us.  Especially those of us who were women working and leading in public radio from the 60s and 70s on.”

“She never said another word to Tom or me, much to our relief, and that interview remains highly sought after in reggae collectors’ circles.”

“Ruth was unstoppable and a constant force for new ideas and thought.”

“I loved and admired her enormously, and found her to be a great teacher and inspirer.”

“One could not have had a more sophisticated companion.”