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Adv. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz

Director of the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for Shared Society and Head of the Religion and State Program at the Center

Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz co-founded and co-directed Itim – the Jewish Life Advocacy Center – an organization that committed to increasing participation in Jewish life by making Israel’s religious establishment respectful of and responsive to the diverse Jewish needs of the Jewish people. In this capacity, she has appeared before the Rabbinic Courts on issues of conversion, marriage, and divorce.

Ravitsky Tur-Paz also directed Beit Midrash Elul – a center for study of Jewish texts from a pluralistic perspective. In addition, she has served as a lecturer and group facilitator on Judaism and gender and has an extensive background in promoting Jewish pluralism and culture in Israel.

Born in Jerusalem, Ravitsky Tur-Paz holds bachelor's and master's degrees in law from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, has studied Jewish Studies and Philosophy, and is a graduate of the Mandel School of Educational Leadership. She has also worked with the Israeli Ministry of Education, training educators on pluralistic Judaism and Israeli identity and culture, and serves on the board of Panim—the Israeli Judaism Network.

Photo: Oded Antman

Articles Videos

Recent Publications written by Adv. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz

“For these things, I weep; my eyes stream with tears, for there is no one to comfort me, to restore my soul.” (Book of Eicha)
Op-ed

“For these things, I weep; my eyes stream with tears, for there is no one to comfort me, to restore my soul.” (Book of Eicha)

Israel’s challenges on Tisha B’Av 5784 are severe and complex. The costs we pay for living here are heavy and bloody. Yet the people living in Zion cling to the tradition of their forefathers and foremothers and to generations of pioneers who lived and died hoping to establish a model society here.

Haredi Yeshiva Students Are Being Called to IDF Enlistment Centers. What’s Next?
Explainer

Haredi Yeshiva Students Are Being Called to IDF Enlistment Centers. What’s Next?

On Monday August 5, 2024 and Tuesday August 6, 2024—900 ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students were required to present themselves at IDF enlistment centers. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz, Dr. Eran Shamir-Borer and Mirit Lavi explain the next steps the IDF will need to take in order to enforce the legal obligation of conscription. 

Ultra-Orthodox Draft Challenges and Objectives
Explainer

Ultra-Orthodox Draft Challenges and Objectives

As the IDF issues the first batches of draft orders for ultra-Orthodox men, the following outlines the challenges, opportunities and objectives of an amended conscription law. 

Tikun Leil Shavuot: Source Materials on Ultra-Orthodox IDF Service and Military Exemptions
Special Project

Tikun Leil Shavuot: Source Materials on Ultra-Orthodox IDF Service and Military Exemptions

Ahead of the Shavuot holiday, the Israel Democracy Institute is releasing a series of source materials for study during the "tikkun leil Shavuot" (the traditional Shavuot eve study session).

A Historic Supreme Court Hearing on Haredi Conscription and Yeshiva Funding
Explainer

A Historic Supreme Court Hearing on Haredi Conscription and Yeshiva Funding

Israel's Supreme Court convened to hear arguments on the issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students who no longer are exempt from military service, and the legality of providing funding for yeshivas that enroll them as long as no new law has been legislated on this issue.

The latest military exemption law - a return to the 2022 (non-) conscription law
Explainer

The latest military exemption law - a return to the 2022 (non-) conscription law

The proposed law ignores the dramatic change in Israel's security situation since October 7 and does not address the need for more combat soldiers, nor does it respect the burden on the populations that already serve.

Videos written by Adv. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz

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Webinar

Perspectives on Shared Society After Oct. 7

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Research Reel

The Economic Impact of Haredi (non) Enlistment

What are the economic impacts of the Haredi blanket exemption and how would drafting the ultra-Orthodox benefit Israeli society and economy?