Israeli Actress Orna Rotberg Opens Up About 16-Year Estrangement From Sister
Orna Rotberg, a 40-year veteran of the Israeli stage, stars in the new play "Glass Wall" at Beit Lessin Theater, portraying Vicky, a daughter of Holocaust survivors who severs ties with her own daughter after she moves to Berlin. This role has compelled Rotberg to confront her own private family rift: she has been estranged from her older sister for 16 years. Rotberg revealed she had hidden this painful separation, burdened by guilt, shame, denial, and repression. Initially reluctant to take the role, she was persuaded by playwright Oren Yakobi, who told her, "You are Vicky. No one else can do this like you."
Rotberg and her character share similarities as both are second-generation Holocaust survivors experiencing family estrangement. The actress described emotional breakdowns during rehearsals due to these parallels. She is the youngest of three sisters; her eldest sister was 12 when Rotberg was born. Despite early happiness, their relationship deteriorated over time due to differing worldviews, values, and persistent conflicts, culminating in a complete break. Rotberg metaphorically described giving her sister a "get" (divorce document), emphasizing the finality of their split. They do not attend the same family events and have no contact. She stressed the importance of addressing family conflicts before they become irreparable.
Rotberg, 67, is married to Ilan Carmi and has two children. She was born in Ramla and raised in Holon by parents who survived Nazi death camps, carrying the heavy legacy of post-traumatic stress. She credits her parents’ love of theater, music, and humor as a source of resilience and her own artistic inspiration. Despite a difficult childhood shaped by her parents’ trauma, she forgave them for their struggles and acknowledges the ongoing threat of antisemitism in Europe.
Her career spans theater, television, and film, including a memorable role in the 1985 film "Banot" (Girls), where she played a chubby recruit who imagines a handsome boyfriend. Though initially uncomfortable with being typecast, she later embraced the role’s positive impact on body image perceptions. Rotberg rejects cosmetic procedures and the pressure to appear younger, valuing her natural expressions as essential tools for her craft. She advocates authenticity over conforming to industry beauty standards, sharing a story of consulting a surgeon but ultimately deciding against surgery.
Rotberg’s candid discussion highlights the complexities of family estrangement, the legacy of Holocaust trauma, and the challenges faced by women aging in the entertainment industry. She hopes her openness will encourage others to address painful family issues before they become permanent.
