February 6, 2019 Statement on ASA Litigation When the American Studies Association adopted an academic boycott of Israel, several members of the ASA filed a lawsuit against that form of economic warfare against Israel, which discriminates against Israeli academics and violates fundamental principles of academic freedom. Press Releases Press Room
February 6, 2019 Federal Judge: Plaintiffs suing American Studies Association over BDS “may have meritorious claims,” but must file in state court In December 2013, the American Studies Association (ASA) became the first, and so far the only, major American academic association to adopt the academic boycott of Israel, part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). Media Coverage Press Room
January 21, 2019 WHY PROHIBITING BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL DOES NOT VIOLATE FREEDOM OF SPEECH The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is campaigning against existing and proposed federal and local laws that would deter boycotts of Israel popularized by the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement (BDS). Their argument is that requiring all businesses who want to contract with the state to certify that they do not engage in a boycott of Israel violates the free speech clause of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. Media Coverage Press Room
January 18, 2019 Mixed Reactions after Prosecution Efforts at UCLA and UCI Organized disruptors — both students and non-students — who shut down a pro-Israel gathering at University of California Los Angeles in May 2018 might not be prosecuted, according to information from LA City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office. Instead, they will be called to a confidential but mandatory proceeding called a “City Attorney Hearing,” an alternative to prosecution which can be described as a “warning” not to repeat the conduct. One legal expert compared it to a “deferred prosecution,” but stressed a full trial could still result. Media Coverage Press Room
December 4, 2018 December 3rd – Alyza Lewin at ADL’s 2018 Annual Summit on Anti-Semitism and Hate On December 3, LDB’s President and General Counsel Alyza Lewin will speak at the Anti-Defamation League’s 2018 Annual Summit on Anti-Semitism and Hate in New York City. Lewin will serve as a panelist at a session entitled Answering the Question: When is Criticism of Israel Anti-Semitism? This panel will examine the line between anti-Israel expressions and anti-Semitism. There […] Events
November 30, 2018 November 29 – December 2 – Alyza Lewin at 5th IAC National Conference LDB’s President and General Counsel Alyza Lewin will be speaking at the 5th Israeli-American Council (IAC) National Conference. Lewin will be speaking on a panel on the topic of Hate Speech vs. Free Speech— BDS and the First Amendment. The conference marks Israel’s 70th Anniversary and will be held at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida from November 29 to December 2. In addition to her role at LDB, Lewin is also a partner in Lewin & Lewin LLP, where she specializes in litigation and government relations. Events
November 26, 2018 Training attorneys to combat rising threat of anti-Semitism JIGSAW – “Justice Initiative Guiding Student Activists Worldwide” – is the brainchild of Alyza Lewin, president of the Louis D. Brandeis Center. She explains the reason she introduced JIGSAW. Media Coverage Press Room
November 21, 2018 New initiative equips law students with legal tools to fight rising antisemitism The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, in conjunction with Hasbara Fellowships, on Friday, Nov. 2 launched JIGSAW Initiative, a innovative pilot program to train law students to combat and prevent resurgent antisemitism. Media Coverage Press Room
November 15, 2018 November 14 – Alyza Lewin to Launch LDB’s Newest Chapter at Pepperdine LDB is excited to launch its newest LDB chapter at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. To celebrate the launch, LDB President & General Counsel Alyza Lewin will address the new chapter on November 14. Events
November 14, 2018 November 13 – Alyza Lewin at UCLA – The Jerusalem Passport Case On November 13th, LDB President & General Counsel Alyza Lewin will address LDB students at UCLA School of Law on her work litigating the “Jerusalem Passport Case” in front of the Supreme Court. Recently appointed to the position of President and General Counsel at the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Lewin is also a partner in Lewin & Lewin LLP, where she specializes in litigation and government relations. Events