Today we stepped into the heart and soul of Israel’s democracy — meeting with women leading change in the political, judicial, and civil society who are working to shape the future of an Israel that is committed to the vision of its founders, who stated in the Declaration of Independence that:

The State of Israel will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace… it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex. It will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education, and culture…

We started today’s journey at the Israeli Knesset (parliament), where we had the opportunity to sit in on the Committee on the Status of Women’s session on women participation in Israel’s civil service. We then met with feminist civil society leaders who are part of NCJW’s Connecting for Impact (CFI) initiative. They shared their experiences on the different ways they are working to advance gender equity and strengthen democratic institutions.

Following a tour of the Knesset, we got to have meetings with Members of the Knesset Merav Ben Ari, Merav Michaeli, and Pnina Tmano-Shata. They spoke candidly to us about the current status of women’s leadership in policy-making and public life. After a heartfelt debrief in the Rose Garden leading to the Supreme Court, we were treated to a private tour and discussion with IRAC director, Orly Erez-Likhovski, followed by an inspiring meeting with Supreme Court Justice Daphna Barak Erez, who shared with us examples of the judiciary’s role in upholding democracy and the rule of law.

After a brief, but moving visit to the Kotel, we ended the day with dinner and conversation at FEEL BEIT, a beautiful shared Jewish–Palestinian space. We were treated to a lively discussion on how Palestinian and Israeli feminists are working together to lead with courage, as they envision a more inclusive and peaceful future. I had the pleasure of leading the conversation with two dynamic leaders, Nivine Sandouka, regional director of ALLMEP and Hamutal Gouri, a longtime feminist activist and early advisor for Connecting for Impact, who came to two Washington Institutes with cohorts of Israeli feminist CEOs. This passionate and inspiring discussion explored the peace-building work of these committed Palestinian and Israeli civil society leaders who have both dedicated their lives to working for peace.

It’s hard to believe tomorrow is already our last day. We’ve got a meaningful closer tomorrow at The NCJW Women and Gender Studies Program at Tel Aviv University and ANU Museum of the Jewish People on the campus.