Ilana Dayan, an investigative journalist best known for her show “Uvda” (“Fact”), has spent her life breaking through gender barriers. During the first Lebanon War, she was the first female correspondent for the Israeli Army Radio. She went on to become the first female presenter on the Israeli educational show “Erev Hadash.” After earning her PhD in law at Yale University, she started the documentary program “Uvda,” now the longest-running Israeli prime time show.

Born in Argentina, Dayan says that when she moved to Israel at the age of six, she wanted, more than anything, to become Israeli. “I wanted Hebrew to be the language that runs through my veins,” she tells host Rogel Alpher. As time passes, she increasingly embraces the Spanish language. But still, she says that every aspect of her life, from her career in journalism and law to her family life and parenthood, is informed and influenced by her Israeli identity.

Music:
Mercedes Sosa – Gracias A La Vida
Chava Alberstein – Shimri Nafshech (Save Your Soul)
Yehudit Ravitz – Viduy (Confession)
Fairouz – Al Bint El Chalabiya (The Shalabi Girl)
Amir Benayoun – Nitzacht Iti Hakol (You’ve Won Everything With Me)

Photo by Yossi Zwecker.