The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute jointly convened an international conference in memory of Academy Member Prof. Ruth Gavison on December 15–16, 2021, sixteen months after her passing (following a postponement on account of coronavirus constraints).

 

The conference was devoted to the core issues Prof. Gavison had addressed over the years, sparking heated debate as well as social and legal initiatives: Nationalism and Liberalism; Privacy; Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State; the Balance of Legislative, Judicial and Executive Powers; and Co-Existence in a Profoundly Diverse Society.

 

Prof. Michael Walzer of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and Prof. Anita Allen of the University of Pennsylvania delivered the keynote lectures. Participants in the conference included the President of the Academy, Prof. David Harel; the Academy’s past President, Prof. Nili Cohen; Academy Members Prof. Shlomo Avineri and Prof. Daniel Friedmann; the Director of the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, Prof. Shai Lavi; the President of Beit Berl College, Prof. Yuli Tamir; the President of Achva Academic College, Prof. Yifat Bitton; Dr. Ayman Agbaria; Prof. Niva Elkin-Koren; Dr. Netta Barak-Corren; Prof. Amal Jamal; Prof. Yoav Dotan; Dr. Tamar Hostovsky Brandes; Prof. Rivka Weill; Prof. Neta Ziv; Prof. Alexander Yakobson; Prof. Menachem Mautner; Prof. Gideon Sapir; Prof. David Kretzmer; and members of Prof. Gavison’s family – her sister, Dr. Daphna Katz, and her son Doron Gavison.