Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari to Receive Honorary Degree

Prof. Halperin-Kaddari is a member of Bar-Ilan’s Faculty of Law and founding academic director of the University’s Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women. She is a family law expert in both the civil legal system and traditional Jewish law and has served three terms as a member (twice vice president) of the UN Committee on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). She is an expert on family law in Israel, international human rights family law, feminism and halacha, and international women’s rights. Prof. Halperin-Kaddari is a recipient of the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Award and in 2018 was named one of Apolitical’s 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy around the world.

Since the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, Prof. Halperin-Kaddari has played a leading role in fighting for international recognition of Hamas’ sexual crimes, culminating in the recent United Nations Under Secretary General’s report concluding that conflict related sexual violence likely occurred during the Hamas onslaught against southern Israel, as well as clear evidence that hostages were raped while being held in Gaza, and those currently held captive are still facing such abuse. 

In selecting Prof. Halperin-Kaddari for an honorary degree, Brandeis University wrote, “The university has always strived to praise exceptional people like you, who fight for the rights of those less fortunate, and who invest their skills in promoting human knowledge and understanding - among them Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Madeleine Albright and Golda Meir. Given our history and values, the Brandeis community will no doubt be thrilled to witness you being honored for the far-reaching impact of your work in the fight against violence and discrimination against women. We believe that you have given, and will continue to give, inspiration to entire generations of the intellectually curious, in their pursuit of their ambitions, and in promoting positive change wherever it is needed."

“In recent months and throughout her academic career, Prof. Halperin-Kaddari has dedicated her entire being to the advancement of women's rights,” said Prof. Michal Alberstein, dean of the Faculty of Law, in learning of the honor. “This is a significant and noteworthy international gesture and recognition of the importance of the war for the release of the hostages being held in Gaza, and the atrocities and gender-based crimes committed on the seventh of October. It is recognition of her leadership over the years to advance women's rights, who in recent months has reached new and very difficult heights in her activities at the United Nations and in many international and local centers of advocacy and influence. I have no words to describe my appreciation and excitement for this recognition. Ruth acted with courage and heroism while dealing with indescribable emotions in furthering the cries of women in general and in relation to recent events in particular. This is a ray of light of recognition and hope.”

In addition to Prof. Halperin-Kaddari, Brandeis University will honor documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, academic administrator Ruth Simmons, and civil and community rights leader Roy DeBerry. Rabbi David Ellenson, former director of Brandeis’ Schusterman Center for Israel Studies and chancellor emeritus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, will be recognized posthumously. “The accomplished individuals receiving honorary degrees have each devoted their life’s work to addressing some of the most important issues of our day,” wrote Brandeis University president Ron Liebowitz in announcing this year’s honorees. “Together, they embody Brandeis’ founding Jewish values to seek knowledge and to repair the world.”