The world bids farewell to a pioneering figure in feminism and education, Professor Alice Shalvi, who passed away on Monday, just weeks before her 97th birthday. Shalvi’s remarkable journey, filled with resilience and dedication, has left an indelible mark on Israeli society and the broader world.
Born in Germany in 1926, Alice Shalvi’s life took a significant turn when her family sought refuge in Buckinghamshire, England, in 1934, fleeing the rising power of the Nazis. It was there that her journey of empathy and social consciousness began, influenced by the Holocaust survivors she met and the subtle antisemitism she encountered in Britain.
Her initial path led her to pursue a degree in social work at the London School of Economics, driven by the desire to aid Holocaust survivors in their rehabilitation. However, her destiny took an unexpected turn when she immigrated to Israel in 1949, finding that a professional social work profession had not yet taken root in the country.
Alice Shalvi’s life’s work began to take shape as she ventured into teaching, discovering its similarities with social work—both requiring empathy, effective communication, and the ability to understand and express sympathy and affection towards others.
She embarked on an academic journey, joining the English department at the Hebrew University and later earning her PhD there. Her ascent in academia was not without its challenges, as she confronted entrenched gender biases that marginalized women within academic circles.
Transitioning from university to high school education, Shalvi took on the role of principal at the Pelech school in Jerusalem in 1975. This experimental institution for religious girls broke new ground by teaching Talmud, challenging traditional norms in religious education.
Throughout her life, Alice Shalvi seized every opportunity to drive change. In 1984, she founded the Israel Women’s Network (IWN) after being inspired by the visit of renowned US feminist Betty Friedan to Israel. The IWN became a vital platform for addressing discrimination and disadvantages faced by women in various spheres of Israeli society, from politics and religion to education and the workplace.
Shalvi’s determination extended to academia, where she sought to establish a gender studies department at Ben-Gurion University. She paved the way by initially teaching a drama course for women and eventually establishing a gender studies concentration that later evolved into an independent department.
At the heart of her incredible journey was her partnership with her beloved husband, Moshe Shalvi, who predeceased her in 2013. The couple raised six children together, navigating the challenges of balancing work, family, and societal change. They exemplified the need for structural changes that recognize parenting as a full-time job, advocating for longer parental leaves and flexible work hours.
Alice Shalvi’s transformative experiences extended to her religious beliefs. At the age of 53, she encountered a Torah scroll up close for the first time during a visit to a Conservative synagogue in Milwaukee. This profound moment led her to reevaluate her religious approach, and she subsequently attended a Conservative synagogue where women held more equal roles to men.
Despite her many accomplishments and efforts to redefine women’s roles in Israeli society, Shalvi candidly acknowledged in her memoir, “Never a Native,” that she “still didn’t feel she was labeled as an Israeli” even at the age of 94.
Alice Shalvi’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those she inspired. Survived by five of her six children, 21 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren, she leaves behind a rich tapestry of accomplishments that have forever altered the landscape of feminism, education, and equality in Israel and beyond.