Who We Are
The Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law at the Harvard Law School pursues excellence in the scholarly study of Jewish law, conceived as a dynamic religious system, and Israeli law, the legal system of a state formally committed to democratic and Jewish values. We study the two subject matters as distinct while also taking particular interest in points of overlap and contestation and the competing claims they sometimes make on one another. We emphasize methodological and ideological diversity and strive to present the full range of opinion and critique, internal and external, consistent always with the academic values of civility, openness, and mutual respect.
The support of Mitch and Joleen Julis and their family for this important work is a marker of foresight in encouraging deeper scholarly understanding of crucial topics in the Jewish past and present. With the resources of the program, we hope over time to make Harvard Law School into a national and international leader in the study and analysis of Jewish and Israeli law from a broad array of scholarly perspectives. The generous gift gives us a broad ambit to bring in a wide range of voices to explore these fascinating and rich topics from all sides.
Noah Feldman
Director, Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law
Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law
Chairman of the Society of Fellows