In an intense and lively session at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, some 30 law students and young attorneys took an in-depth look at the conflicts and issues that arise from the entanglement of Israel’s rabbinic and secular court systems. CWJ attorney Alona Toledano addressed the group as a guest speaker for a seminar course on State and Religion in Israel, whose participants are all finishing their first degree in law or studying for their master’s degree in law while working in the field.  

Using CWJ case studies, Alona described our strategies and activities for addressing rabbinic court injustices through civil court litigation. She focused on get refusal cases in rabbinic and family courts, as well as conversion cases that CWJ has battled in Israel’s Supreme Court.

While all of the students were familiar with the problems that result from Israel’s conflicting religious and secular court systems, they asked Alona many questions about the intricacies of Halacha (Jewish law) and the stringent ways in which it is upheld by rabbinic courts. They were especially interested in CWJ’s prenuptial agreements for preventing get abuse, and our new direction of re-opening and challenging unfair rabbinic court-brokered divorce settlement that have been accepted by women in exchange for receiving their get.

“All of the students were already aware of CWJ’s strategy of filing damage cases for get refusal,” Alona reports. “But now they understand how the practical ways in which they can use CWJ as a resource and apply our experience in their own professional lives.   

The Hebrew University course is being taught by Dr. Aviad HaCohen, dean of the Sha’arei Mishpat Academic College and a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the Hebrew University. A leading authority on issues of state and religion in Israel, Dr. HaCohen is a board member of CWJ.

CWJ extends gratitude to the following supporters whose direct assistance is ensuring that our educational message reaches the Israeli public and builds momentum for change: The David Berg Foundation, Greater Miami Jewish Federation Women’s Amutot Initiative, Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta, Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County, the Miriam Fundand the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation of Greater Washington, as well as to donors whose general support provides a secure foundation for advancing this key project.