Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari of Bar-Ilan University, a prominent scholar and activist in exposing the sexual violence and gender-based atrocities committed by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attacks, visited New York City this week for meetings with Jewish organizations and leaders.
The visit, organized by American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, took place from January 30 to February 1. Halperin-Kaddari is the Founding Academic Director of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at BIU’s Faculty of Law. With over two decades of advocating for women’s rights and gender equality, both in Israel and internationally, she has served as Vice Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Her most recent initiative is The Dinah Project, which she co-founded under the auspices of the Rackman Center.
Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari at a special event of the @CCPCJ and @CND_tweets for the International Day of the Elimination against Women:#OrangeTheWorld pic.twitter.com/2GkFNpatno
— Israel at UN, OSCE & Intl Organizations in Vienna (@ILMissionVienna) November 25, 2024
The Dinah Project, composed of leading academics, legal experts, and former senior civil servants, aims to secure justice and recognition for victims of sexual violence during the October 7 attacks. The project has made numerous public appearances, providing briefings and consultations to diplomats, decision-makers, journalists, and civil society leaders. It played a pivotal role in the fact-finding mission led by Pramila Patten, the U.N.’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, whose report documented clear evidence of Hamas’ sexual violence on October 7.
Halperin-Kaddari also appears in Sheryl Sandberg’s documentary *Screams Before Silence: Bearing Witness to the Violence of October 7*, where she comments on Hamas’ sexual crimes.
During her New York visit, Halperin-Kaddari met with organizations such as the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah, and Elluminate. This visit coincided with the ongoing release of hostages following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In a LinkedIn post, Halperin-Kaddari expressed her joy over the return of hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher after 471 days in captivity. “Our hearts overflow with joy seeing their reunion… Yet even as we rejoice, we ache for those still in captivity. Every hostage is an entire world, and we will not rest until all return home to their waiting families,” she wrote. The Dinah Project has urged Israeli media outlets to respect the privacy of the returning hostages, allowing them time to heal and rebuild their lives.
Founded in 2001, BIU’s Rackman Center has been at the forefront of advancing women’s rights in Israel, particularly in family law. The center aims to end gender discrimination and promote social change for women’s empowerment. Its work is guided by the late Rabbi Emanuel Rackman’s vision of improving women’s status in Jewish family law and reflects BIU’s commitment to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.
