The latest installment in our monthly feature spotlighting the professional journeys of our alumni and how attending Hebrew U influenced their future career paths.
After attending HU, did you continue your university studies? If so, where and what did you study, and when did you graduate?
After Hebrew U, I got early acceptance into U of T Law School and that’s where I received my LLB in 1991. After articling at the Ontario Attorney-General’s office and getting married, my wife, baby and I made Aliya to Israel in 1993. Once there, I found I just couldn’t stay away from Hebrew U! So, I got my LLM there in 1996, my Doctorate of Law in 2007, and recently added an M.A. in Political Science to my collection.
What are you currently doing career-wise? If you work at a company, organization or government agency, tell us about it. Is there a website you would want us to post?
I currently serve as Deputy Manager of the Legal Branch at the Auditor General of Israel (Mevaker Hamedina: www.mevaker.gov.il ). This institution has historically been at the forefront of the fight against corruption. Our office’s findings have led to criminal investigations and prosecution of high-ranking members of government. But mainly, our office focuses on ways that governmental agencies and municipal authorities can function better and meet the needs of all sectors of Israel’s populace.
Personally, in addition to dealing with legal issues about matters varying from Israel’s security infrastructure to its educational and health systems, I provide the legal advice regarding the audits of Israel’s political parties’ financial reporting and their use of public funding. In this capacity, I have represented the Auditor General in legal proceedings before the Supreme Court Justice who presides over the Israeli Electoral Commission.
This ability to influence matters at the intersection of law and democracy in Israel is a dream come true for me. The ‘cherry on top of the cake’ is that this year I have returned to Hebrew U – this time as a lecturer at the Law School, teaching a course on “Democracy and Oversight: State Audit, Division of Powers and Electoral Law.”
What advice would you give someone interested in getting into this field and position?
Stay in school! Seriously, the best thing a person can do is to study a variety of subject areas that interest them. Not only does this give you the knowledge and skill set to flourish in different frameworks, it also enhances your potential to synthesize information and knowledge from various spheres and devise innovative ideas and initiatives wherever you find yourself.
If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you do differently?
Had I known how much I would enjoy academia, I probably would have made more of an effort earlier on to get a foothold in that world. That said, I’m still hoping the opportunity will arise to teach a semester abroad at some point.
How did your experience at HU help shape your future career path and personal goals?
It changed more than I could have imagined. I arrived at HU swearing that I wouldn’t be ‘brainwashed’ into considering Aliya but that didn’t last long. While at the Rosh Hashana table of an Australian rabbi with my fellow Rothberg-er, Jason Friedberg z”l from Montreal (later murdered by Palestinian terrorists), the rabbi challenged us to become part of Israel’s citizenry to help deal with the existential questions facing the Jewish people and modern society as a whole. Ultimately, we both decided to take up the challenge – and I’m trying to continue to do so, together with my wife and children and sassy-smart Sabra granddaughter.
