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Israel beyond the Current Conflict:
The Challenge of a Jewish and Democratic State
February 12, 2006

9:15 – 9:20

Welcome
Peter Edelman, NIF President

9:20 - 9:25

Introduction
Mary Ann Stein, NIF Board Member

9:25 - 9:35

Dvar Torah
Rabbi Felicia Sol, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun

9:35 -10:00 What Kind of Democracy Should Israel Be?
Shlomo Hasson, Hebrew University
10:00 - 10:15 Q & A
10:30 - 12

Breakout Sessions – Targeted Case Studies:

  • Minority Rights: Language Rights of the Arab Minority
  • Religion and State: Conversion Issues
12:00 - 12:30 Break and lunch begins
12:30 – 2:00

Freedom of Religion or Freedom from Religion:
Religion and State in Israel

Moderator: Aviva Meyer, NIF Associate Director

Featuring:
Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST)
Dalia Dorner, former Israeli Supreme Court Justice
Rabbi Miri Gold, Kibbutz Gezer
Rabbi Avi Shafran, Agudath Israel of America
Yedidia Stern, Bar-Ilan University Law School
1:30 - 2:00 Q & A
2:00- 3:30 Minority Rights in a Jewish and Democratic State
Moderator:
Peter Edelman, NIF President

Featuring:
Gabriella Blum, Harvard University Law School
Dalia Dorner, former Israeli Supreme Court Justice
Nabila Espanioly, Al-Tufula Women's Center
Hassan Jabareen, Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
Meir Nitzan, Jewish Agency for Israel
Naomi Paiss, NIF Communications Director
Neta Ziv, Tel Aviv University Law School
3:30 - 3:50 Break
3:50 - 4:20 Response and Analysis
Moderated by Shlomo Gur, former Director-General, Ministry of Justice

Featuring:
Muhammad Amara, Bar-Ilan University
Judith Karp, former Deputy Attorney General of Israel
Herman Schwartz, Washington College of Law, American University
4:20 - 4:45 Q & A
4:45 - 5:55

Town Hall – Visions for Israel 's Future and the Challenge for the Diaspora
Moderator: Larry Garber, NIF Executive Director

Naomi Chazan, former-Member of Knesset
J.J. Goldberg, Editor, The Forward
5:55-6:00 Closing Remarks