The Rackman Center Today

A Vision of Jewish Justice

At the intersection of religion and state in family law in Israel, the late Rabbi Rackman z”l, established the Rackman Center at Bar Ilan University’s Faculty of Law in 2001.

The Center has become the foremost organization promoting legal and social change for women in Israeli family law. It strives to end gender discrimination, improve the status of women and increase women’s representation in the public religious sphere where they are excluded on the basis of gender.

Impact in Numbers

• Aided in the UN report findings of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th.
• 500 women in need receive legal and psycho-social support.
• 40 cases are litigated before the religious and civil courts in Israel, including the High Court of Justice, all pro-bono.
• 3-5 legislative and policy proposals are prepared, submitted to and promoted in the Knesset.
• 4-5 publications and 2 conferences in family law.

Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari

Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari is an internationally acclaimed human rights advocate, Associate Professor of Law, and Founding Academic Director of the Rackman Centre for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar-Ilan University Law Faculty.

Canadian Friends of Bar-Ilan University was thrilled to recently host Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari to speak about gender-based violence during and after the October 7th attacks. In this clip from our Speak Now event held in March, Professor Halperin-Kaddari shares her thoughts about the investigation into gender-based violence that took place on October 7th and the important conclusions that resulted from that investigation.

Your generous gift will support the critical work of Professor Halperin-Kaddari and the Rackman Center. Become a key part of this important endeavour and help influence the future of women’s rights in Israel and the world.