Episode 93: Alice Shalvi: Israeli Feminist Pioneer

Alice Shalvi has been an Israeli feminist pioneer for decades. Born in Germany and raised in England, she moved to Israel in 1949, a young woman excited to help build a new state. She’s spent her life there, working for gender equality and a more just society. In this episode of Can We Talk?, Judith Rosenbaum joins us to tell Alice’s story, and to talk about the ways she’s fought to make Israel a better country. You'll also hear excerpts from conversations between Judith and Alice.

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Released May 22, 2023

Alice Shalvi teaching at Hebrew University. Photo courtesy of Alice Shalvi.
Alice Shalvi with her husband, Moshe, and her six children after the birth of her youngest child, Pnina, in 1967. Photo courtesy of Alice Shalvi.
Alice Shalvi burning ketubot, the standard Jewish marriage contracts that give the husband "possession" of his wife. Photo courtesy of Alice Shalvi.
Alice Shalvi at a protest outside the Central Post Office in Jerusalem. Photo courtesy of Alice Shalvi.
Alice Shalvi on the roof of the Pelech school with parents and staff. Photo courtesy of Alice Shalvi.
Judith Rosenbaum and Alice Shalvi at a book signing for Alice's memoir, Never A Native, in 2018. Photo courtesy of Judith Rosenbaum.
Alice Hildegard Shalvi, Israeli professor, educator, and feminist.
Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa.
Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, 2001.
Credit: Private collection