New York City Event: Pro-active Humanist Zionism Now!

Challenging American and Israeli Jews to make a better Israel

featuring special guest:
Leah Shakdiel

During the Gaza War of last winter, Leah Shakdiel, a modern orthodox woman, peace activist and feminist was arrested with others during a vigil protesting the violence and killing on both sides. The Israeli government put her under house arrest and through these actions threatened her political freedoms of speech, assembly, and organizing.

Through teaching and continued activist work with Israeli Human Rights NGOs like Machsom Watch, Mirkam Azori, Darom4Peace, and Rabbis for Human Rights, Leah works tirelessly to bring the values of peace, equality, human rights, and social justice to the next generation of Israelis.

Monday, September 14, 2009
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
$10 Donation requested at the door

Presented by Meretz USA
this event will be held at

The Village Temple
33 E 12th St
New York, NY 10003
(between University Place and Broadway)

RSVPs should be made to rachel@meretzusa.org or (212) 242 – 4500.

BIOGRAPHY
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Leah Shakdiel, a modern orthodox woman at the forefront of the peace and feminist movement in Israel was born in Jerusalem in 1951 to a family of Modern Orthodox Pioneers. In 1978 Leah moved to a small development town in the Negev Desert with a group committed to Halacha, social responsibility, peace, and ecology. She received her degree from Bar Ilan University and went on to teach Hebrew and Jewish studies; creating teaching materials and coordinating and directing projects and institutions in the areas of education and community.

Throughout all of her political and social activism she has worked on behalf of peace, empowering the disadvantaged, civil and human rights, and feminism, and published academic and popular articles in all these areas.

In 1988 she became Israel’s first female member of a local Religious Council, following a successful struggle that ended with a landmark Supreme Court decision.

Currently she teaches in Sapir College near Sderot, in the Overseas Students Program in Ben Gurion University, and in various post-high school pre-military programs. She is also a dedicated member and activist for Israel Human Rights NGOs such as Machsom Watch, Mirkam Azori, Darom4Peace, and Rabbis for Human Rights.