As executive director of New Family, Irit Rosenblum takes on social and domestic issues that most lawyers are afraid to explore. Be it moral questions on infertility, same-sex marriages and Israeli or Jewish identity, she has had her fair share of victories and successes in challenging and reforming Israeli law.
By RUTH EGLASHIrit Rosenblum 311(photo credit: Courtesy)
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Knowing that I haven’t made all my dreams come true yet.What keeps you up at night? The sense that there are quite a few people in Israel who aren’t able to establish families because the system is so inflexible.What’s the most difficult professional moment you’ve faced so far? Each day presents me with a new professional challenge, harder than the last.A little like Sisyphus, by the time I reach the top of the mountain, I discover that I have to start it all over again. That’s how it is in this profession, and that’s how it is in this country, but thanks to the fabulous team that works with me, these nearimpossible challenges become possible and solvable.How do you celebrate your achievements? The organization’s victories are celebrations in themselves. For instance, when a child is born to a couple who has been fighting Israeli windmills to bring him into the world, is there any greater celebration than that? If you were prime minister, what’s the first thing you would do? I would resign. I would not want to go into politics. The greatest, most significant changes are brought about not by the government, but through the people.Which Israeli should have a movie made about him/her? Yeshayahu Leibowitz, whose uncompromising stands and forceful, biting language made him a controversial figure in religious as well as secular circles, [along with] his fascinating, unique worldview whereby the state is not a value in itself. Indeed, Leibowitz criticized the “sacred cow of national unity,” pointing out that the Jewish religion had always divided the people, whether between prophets and kings or between religionists or secularists. I believe the fascinating figure of Leibowitz is not only important to us, but unfortunately, we do not know him well enough nor appreciate him enough.What would you change about Israelis if you could? The lack of solidarity, the “piggishness” of the tycoons who’ve forgotten where they came from, and the general lack of attentiveness.iPad, BlackBerry or pen and paper? iPad, without a doubt, is an incredible technological product. It has succeeded in placing the whole world in the palm of our hands. At a touch, we can read an article or a book, watch a movie, get updated on the news and write a letter, and it’s all happening simultaneously.I’m a fan of new technology and the cascades of information... offer fresh challenges on a daily basis. There’s never a dull moment for me...If you had to write an advertisement to entice tourists to come to Israel, what would it say? Israel – the most amazing, insane, saddest and happiest place on earth.What is the most serious problem facing the country? The unbearable gaps in society, the inability of couples and singles to establish and maintain a family unit in Israel and live their lives in peace, quiet and freedom.How can it be solved? Case by case, couple by couple, with determination and perseverance.In 20 years, the country will be: I believe the revolution which is running in the entire Middle East will bode well for the area.The Middle East is going through a process of maturation and ripening. If the process continues, there is a chance that we’ll be lucky enough to live in one of the world’s most important and most interesting regions. Israeli people will benefit, if we learn to be part of the process. I have the impression that ordinary people are beginning to be tired of bloodshed and realize it is more important to establish a just society. This is the beginning of the Middle East Spring of nations.
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