In Memoriam-Dafna Izraeli

Abstract

The late Dafna Izraeli, who died an untimely death of cancer on February 21, 2003, was a pioneering and primary researcher of women-related issues in Israel. She was a founder of women's studies at Bar Ilan University, a mentor to students and facultyincluding several of the dominant figures in the fieldand also a generous donor to women's causes and to the establishment of women's and gender studies in Israeli academia. In this context, she generously left a legacy to support Nashim. However, that is not the sole reason for our decision to dedicate this issue to her memory. Dafna was always a questioner, heuristically eliciting invaluable data and information that would not otherwise have come to light. Much of her work dealt with the impact of the centrality of service in the Israel Defense Forces and of military achievements on women's status in Israel. For several years she and I served together on an advisory committee established by then Commanding Officer of the Women's Corps, Brigadier General Amira Dotan (the first woman to achieve so high a rank in the IDF). Dafna's probing questions helped us to comprehend the extent to which discrimination against womenoften presented as benevolent in intentcontributes to women's inferior status not only in the military but also in civilian life. She was equally invaluable in helping formulate the recommendations that led to Amira Dotan's term of office becoming a turning point in the steady advancement of women in the IDF. Among the articles Dafna persisted in completing even when she was already very ill was the entry on Women in the IDF for the forthcoming Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. All those who knew Dafna Izraeli or her work will miss her sorely. May her dedication to the cause of women's advancement serve as an inspiration to us and to generations to come. Alice Shalvi