Herman Allen "Hal" Israel (C'02) Endowed Lectureship in Jewish-Catholic Relations

Normally held in the late spring, this lecture seeks to facilitate dialogue and strengthen ties between Jews and Catholics. It explores the many ways in which members of these two faiths continue to replace ancient prejudices with cooperation and understanding in today's world.

Fred and Lesley Israel have been involved with Georgetown University, with Catholic-Jewish relations and with the broad Jewish community for many years. Fred has served on the boards of three Jesuit schools - Georgetown, Wheeling Jesuit University and Georgetown Prep. He has also been involved with the International Conference on Christians and Jews. A retired lawyer, he recently completed two terms on the NASA Advisory Council. He is now president of Temple B'nai Israel in Easton, MD. Fred is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center.

Lesley is on the National Executive Committee of the Anti-Defamation League, and is vice president of the NCSJ, the agency which advocates for Jews in countries which were formerly part of the USSR. She is a former president of Jewish Community Center in Rockville. Lesley currently also serves on the board of the International Foundation for Election Systems, an international democracy NGO and frequently works on elections in emerging democracies around the world.

Hal Israel graduated from Georgetown University College in 1992 and continued his studies at Yale University Law School where he obtained his J.D. Upon graduation, he practiced law in Phoenix. Hal is survived by his wife Donna, two children, parents Lesley and Fred Israel, and his brother Sandy.