Maggie Haberman, Superstar New York Times Reporter, Prays On Airplanes

Maggie Haberman speaking in April 2017. Image by YouTube
Maggie Haberman has a bit of a thing for Kabbalah, as she revealed in an interview published by the Atlantic. Speaking with the Atlantic’s editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, Haberman discussed the hamsas she wears — and her habit of praying on airplanes.
When asked if she was “Kabbalistic,” Haberman, the New York Times’ star reporter on Trump and his inner circle, said she was “deeply superstitious.”
She wears two hamsas — hands meant to protect against the Evil Eye — one on her wrist and one around her neck. They may have to do with her fear of flying. She told Goldberg it is the thing she hates most.
Goldberg: “Why are you so superstitious?”
Haberman: “I don’t know why.”
Goldberg: “Do you pray on airplanes?”
Haberman: “I do, actually. I cannot believe you just asked me that. No one has ever asked me that.”
Goldberg: “Do you believe in an interventionist God who keeps airplanes in the air and then lets others crash?”
Haberman: “I believe that all I can do is give it up to someone higher than me. And then I can’t worry about it anymore.”
You can listen to the rest of the interview here.
Contact Ari Feldman at [email protected] or on Twitter @aefeldman
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
