Anat Hoffman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anat Hoffman
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| ענת הופמן | |
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| Born |
Anat Weiss
April 2, 1954 |
| Education | UCLA in Los Angeles (BA in Psychology, 1980) |
| Alma mater | UCLA |
| Occupation | Executive Director, Israel Religious Action Center |
| Known for | Social activism |
Anat Hoffman, born on April 2, 1954, is an important activist from Israel. She used to lead the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC). She also helped start and leads a group called Women of the Wall. This group works for women's rights to pray freely at the Western Wall.
Hoffman was also a member of the Jerusalem City Council. In 2013, a newspaper called Haaretz named her "Person of the Year." Another newspaper, The Jerusalem Post, listed her as one of the 50 most influential Jewish people. They recognized her efforts to bring attention to women's rights at the Western Wall.
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Early Life and Education
Anat Hoffman was born in Haifa, Israel, in 1954. Her mother, Varda Blechman, was the first child born at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. Her father, Charles Weiss, was a reporter for Voice of America in Israel.
Anat was a very good swimmer when she was younger. Between 1967 and 1973, she was one of the best female swimmers in Israel. In 1972, she won seven medals in the national championships, including four gold. She also won two silver medals in the 1973 Maccabia Games.
After serving in the Israel Defense Forces, she moved to the United States to study. She graduated from UCLA in 1980 with a degree in Psychology. While at UCLA, she learned about different types of Judaism, not just the Orthodox kind she knew.
She later continued her studies at Bar Ilan University in Israel.
What is Activism?
Activism means working to bring about social or political change. Activists try to make things better for people or for society. Anat Hoffman has spent her life as an activist, working for important causes in Israel.
Anat Hoffman's Activism
When Anat Hoffman returned to Israel, she became an activist for religious freedom. She helped start Kol HaNeshama, a modern synagogue in Jerusalem. She also served on the Jerusalem City Council from 1988 to 2002. She represented a group focused on civil rights and peace.
In the late 1980s, she led a campaign to help consumers. She fought against Bezeq, a phone company, because they would not give customers detailed bills. She argued that people were paying for services they did not use. In the end, she won, and Bezeq started giving itemized bills.
Anat Hoffman also leads the Domari Society of Gypsies in Jerusalem. Before 1993, she was the leader of Women in Black. This is an international group of women who protest against war. The first group started in Jerusalem in 1988.
Women of the Wall
Anat Hoffman was a founding member of Women of the Wall in 1988. This group includes women from all over the world. They work to gain the right to pray in their own way at the Western Wall. This includes wearing prayer shawls, singing, and reading from the Torah together.
The Western Wall is a very important religious site in Jerusalem. When Israel's Supreme Court supported Women of the Wall, some religious leaders protested. Anat Hoffman was arrested several times for wearing a prayer shawl at the Wall. The Anti-Defamation League spoke out against how she was treated by the police.
Israel Religious Action Center
From 2002 to 2022, Hoffman was the executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC). This organization was started in 1987. It works to promote equality, justice, and religious freedom in Israel.
Anat Hoffman also started a campaign about airline seats. Some Orthodox Jewish men ask women to move seats on flights so they don't have to sit next to them. Hoffman believes airlines should follow laws that prevent discrimination. She encourages women not to give up their seats. She also believes that religious councils should not be funded by the government.
Awards and Recognition
In December 2024, Anat Hoffman was recognized by the BBC. She was included on their 100 Women list. This list highlights inspiring and influential women from around the world.
