Cardozo Law to Oversee English Translations of Key Opinions of the Supreme Court of Israel

Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law will take over responsibility for translating significant cases of the Supreme Court of Israel into English. In recognition of Cardozo's programs in international constitutional law and in Jewish legal studies, the Friends of the Library of the Supreme Court of Israel signed a memorandum of understanding with Cardozo on October 18, 2012, transferring authority and funding for the project to the school. The opinions of the Israeli Supreme Court are of significant influence to the development of law in other countries. United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has said, "The Supreme Court of Israel is one of the world's great legal institutions. Its work is of increasing value to constitutional scholars throughout the world."

Peter Fishbein, special counsel, Kaye Scholer; Eliezer Rivlin, former deputy president of the Supreme Court of Israel and visiting professor at Cardozo; Asher Dan Grunis, president of the Supreme Court of Israel; Cardozo Dean Matthew Diller; Judge Jon O. Newman, US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; and Cardozo Vice Dean Edward Stein.

The Friends of the Library of the Supreme Court of Israel was formed in the 1990s as a non-profit corporation based in the United States, whose mission is to work closely with the Supreme Court of Israel to make the court's opinions readily available in English. Legal translators in Israel work on translations that are made available online and in published volumes by the organization. In partnership with the Supreme Court of Israel, the Cardozo project will continue to translate significant opinions and make them available on the Supreme Court's website, Cardozo's website, as well as through other electronic legal sources. The translations will continue to be published in volumes made available in the United States and throughout the world. United States Judge Jon O. Newman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit chairs the Friends of the Supreme Court of Israel and met with Cardozo Law Dean Matthew Diller and Vice Dean Edward Stein in New York City to sign the agreement. Justice Asher Dan Grunis, president of the Supreme Court of Israel, attended the signing. Also in attendance were the previous president of the Supreme Court of Israel, Dorit Beinisch, and former Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Israel Eliezer Rivlin, who is a visiting professor at Cardozo. "Cardozo is honored to take over the role of directing this important project," said Diller. "The project is a natural fit for us and will be directed by the Floersheimer Center for Constitutional Democracy as well as the Center for Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization." “By placing this important work at Cardozo, we are confident it will receive the attention it deserves internationally,” said Judge Newman. “Our mission to make these cases available throughout the international legal world is now complete.” The Friends of the Library of the Supreme Court of Israel will dissolve after a short transition period. Those involved with overseeing the project at Cardozo include Professor Suzanne Last Stone, director of the Center for Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization; and Professor Michael Herz, co-director of the Floersheimer Center. Vice Dean Stein took the lead in working through the details of the agreement, meeting in January of 2012 with key members of the Supreme Court of Israel, including past President Aharon Barak.