Remembering Oren Nahari: The storyteller who brought the world into Israeli living rooms - comment
Oren had an extraordinary ability to teach, but above all, to convey one fundamental message: the most important thing is knowing how to tell a story. There is an audience for it.
Oren Nahari, a storyteller who brought the world into Israeli living rooms, passed away on Saturday. Nahari, known for his vast knowledge, always had a book in his hand. He was not just a man of facts, but also a skilled storyteller. Whenever a significant event occurred anywhere in the world, Nahari could explain its relevance to Israelis, even if the event did not directly involve them.
Nahari's ability to make the world relatable to his audience was evident when he co-authored "The Great Battles That Changed History" with Yoav Limor. The publisher initially doubted the feasibility of a 400-page book, asking Nahari to shorten it to 30 battles. However, Nahari's unique approach to storytelling was evident as he focused on why these battles mattered, not just to Israelis, but to everyone.
In 1988, Nahari, along with David Witztum, Yaakov Ahimeir, and other journalists, launched "Ro im Olam" ("Seeing the World"), bringing the world into Israeli viewers' homes. Later, he embarked on an ambitious project on Kan Reshet Bet, "A Year in an Hour," which explored the history of the 20th century over a year's time. Unfortunately, Nahari was unable to complete this project, which ended in 1961.
Nahari's legacy extends beyond his storytelling. He was also a mentor to young journalists. When the reporter joined Israel's Channel 1's foreign desk in 2009, he found a "journalistic incubator" under Nahari's guidance. Nahari emphasized the importance of storytelling, teaching the reporter to "keep watching, keep listening, keep asking questions, never take things for granted, and keep being curious."
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
