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Archive: May 2017 (21 Posts)

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Releasing Agunot from the Chains of Marriage in Selected Countries

Posted by: Ruth Levush

Last week I blogged about Israeli legislative and judicial efforts to assist Jewish women who cannot divorce their husbands (עגונות, agunot,  literally “chained”; עגונה, agunah in singular). In accordance with Jewish law, which applies to matters of marriage and divorce of Jewish residents and citizens of Israel, a valid divorce requires the consensual delivery by the husband and receipt …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Bamberg Criminal Code of 1507 – Pic of the Week

Posted by: Nathan Dorn

On Monday, I had the pleasure of assembling a display of rare books for guests attending the 2017 Burton Awards ceremony held at the Library of Congress.  Created by Williams C. Burton, the awards acknowledge, celebrate, and reward outstanding achievements in the legal field, including for legal writing, regulatory reform and public service. The display …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Anniversary of the German Basic Law

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

Every year on May 23, Germany celebrates the “Day of the Basic Law.” The Basic Law, Germany’s constitution, lays down fundamental rights, establishes the structure and administration of the Federal Republic of Germany, and sets out the legal framework of the three branches of government. Furthermore, it establishes the Federal Republic of Germany as a democratic, federal, …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Releasing Israeli Agunot from the Chains of Marriage

Posted by: Ruth Levush

In the movie Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, the late actress Ronit Elkabetz plays Vivian Amsalem, an Israeli woman who wishes to divorce her husband because she does not love him anymore. Without his consent to deliver a get (גט, a Jewish writ of divorce) to her however, her marriage cannot be dissolved and she is …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Bike to Work Day May 19

Posted by: Jennifer Davis

Biking to work is a commuting option that can help you stay fit, reduce carbon emissions, and/or get ready for a race. Whatever your reasons, Bike to Work Day is a fun way to get started on the habit. Lots of riders out there will be new to the habit of cycling to work on Bike …