NEW YORK — Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), the feminist affiliate of the largest Jewish denomination in North America, will award the organization’s highest honor, the Dr. Jane Evans “Pursuit of Justice” Award, to Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy in recognition of her commitment to international human rights and the elimination of discrimination against women and gender-based violence, especially since the attacks on October 7, 2023.
This award honors the legacy of WRJ’s first executive director, Jane Evans, who served the Reform Movement for more than 70 years. From 1933 until her retirement in 1976, and for years afterward as Executive Director Emerita, Evans provided wise counsel and inspired direction to the leaders of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (now WRJ).
Many, if not all, of WRJ's achievements during her tenure can be traced directly to Evans and her deep sense of justice, her management skills, and her intellectual talents. Past recipients include Ambassador Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, HIAS, Ruth Messinger, Marian Wright Edelman, Lilly Ledbetter, and Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy is an expert on international law, human rights, and feminist theories. She is the recipient of the 2024 Israel Prize in Solidarity, a Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, teaches at Reichman University, and served as a Sophie Davis Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
She established and leads the Civil Commission on Oct. 7th Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children.
“I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy in person during our feminist solidarity mission to Israel last February to hear her speak about her harrowing, yet necessary work with the Civil Commission focused on gender-based violence,” WRJ CEO Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch said. “Women of Reform Judaism is proud to honor Cochav with our highest award due to her dedication and endless commitment to the pursuit of justice.”
Elkayam-Levy was also a previous guest on the first season of the Just For This podcast that focused on the need to draw attention to the threats of sexual violence against hostages remaining in Gaza and the continued call to bring all the hostages home.
The Jane Evans Award will be presented as part of WRJ’s Women’s Empowerment Awards dinner Sunday, April 6, 2025. This event will also honor 12 “hometown heroes” pursuing social justice within their local communities. This event is part of WRJ’s Social Justice Conference (SJC), a four-day conference is designed to train attendees on the biggest social justice issues of our time.
The full conference package is available only to those who identify as female, nonbinary, or gender fluid (age 18+) interested in advocacy through a Jewish feminist lens. All interested – including those who identify as male – are welcome to register for a partial attendance that includes advocacy training, access to the awards dinner, and a Movement-wide day of lobbying at the US Capitol. Register today.