Prof. Yuval Sinai (Law school, Netanya Academic College, Israel); Respondent: Prof. Shauna Van Praagh (Faculty of Law, McGill University)

Jewish law is part of the legal system of the State of Israel - a Jewish and democratic state that includes Jews from all over the world (secular and observant), and non-Jews (Muslims and Christians). What is the purpose of using Jewish law in this multicultural state?

Prof. Sinai will examine the function of Jewish law in secular Israeli courts by referencing multiple court cases in which Jewish law has been cited. Prof. Van Praagh will discuss the use of religious law in Canadian courts and delineate similarities and differences to the Israeli reality.

Prof. Yuval Sinai is Associate Professor of Law, and Director of the Center for the Application of Jewish Law (ISMA), Law School, Netanya Academic College. His research interests are Jewish law, comparative law, civil procedure, and tort law. He is the author of two books: The Judge and the Judicial Process In Jewish Law (Hebrew University of Jerusalem Press, 2009) (Heb.); Applications of Jewish Law in the Israeli Courts (The Israel Bar-Publishing House, Tel Aviv, 2009) (Heb.).

Prof Shauna Van Praagh is Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, McGill University. Her current research areas include legal education; religion and law; and children in the law of civil wrongs. She is the author of numerous articles including "Adolescence, Autonomy and Harry Potter: The Child as Decision-Maker," "Identity's Importance: Reflections of - and on - Diversity," and "The Chutzpah of Chasidism."