![Ruth_Rasnic](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Ruth_Rasnic.jpg)
Ruth Rasnic (
Hebrew
Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...
: רות רזניק, b. 1932) is an
Israeli social and political activist in the struggle against domestic violence in Israel, a writer and a translator. Rasnic won the
Israel Prize in 2009 for her life's work.
Early years
Rasnic (née Lask) was born in
Jerusalem
Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...
and spent her childhood there and in
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the ...
. At the age of 14 she joined the
Etzel, and two years later joined a youth settlement group at kibbutz
Ruhama
Ruhama ( he, רֻחָמָה) is a kibbutz in the Negev desert in southern Israel. The original settlement, established in 1911, is considered the first modern Jewish settlement in the Negev. Located around ten kilometres east of Sderot and surro ...
. She served in the
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force (IAF; he, זְרוֹעַ הָאֲוִיר וְהֶחָלָל, Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, tl, "Air and Space Arm", commonly known as , ''Kheil HaAvir'', "Air Corps") operates as the aerial warfare branch of the Israel Defens ...
, and later worked at the Israeli embassy in London. She returned to Israel in 1956, after the death of her younger brother in the line of duty.
Activism
In 1977, she established ''L.O. Combat Violence Against Women'',
a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting violence against women, of which she was the paid executive director for 34 years, from 1977 to 2011, a year in which she became a volunteer.
Rasnic was one of the founders of the liberal
Ratz political party, and served as the party's representative in
Na'amat
Na'amat ( he, נעמת) is an Israeli and international women's organization affiliated with the Labour Zionist Movement. Na'amat was founded in 1921.
Etymology
Na'amat is an acronym for ''Nashim Ovdot U'Mitnadvot'' ( he, נשים עובדות ...
from 1981 to 1996.
In 1986, Rasnic joined the founders of the
Israel Women's Network
Israel Women's Network (IWN) is a feminist non-partisan civil society organization founded in Jerusalem in 1984. IWN's mission is to advance the status of women in Israel by promoting equality through a range of projects and methods.
Backgroun ...
, headed by Prof.
Alice Shalvi, as a member and organizer.
Prizes and awards
In 1991 and in 2006, Rasnic was recognized by the Israel Woman's Network for her contributions.
In 2000, she was chosen to light a torch in the annual ceremony at the
Mount Herzl
Mount Herzl ( he, הַר הֶרְצְל ''Har Hertsl''), also ''Har ha-Zikaron'' ( lit. "Mount of Remembrance"), is the site of Israel's national cemetery and other memorial and educational facilities, found on the west side of Jerusalem beside ...
military cemetery, closing Israel's
Memorial Day
Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monda ...
for fallen soldiers, an honor bestowed on valued members of society.
In 2008, she was appointed by Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert to his advisory council for women's stature.
In 2009, Rasnic was awarded the
Israel Prize for her lifetime achievement & special contribution to society and the State.
See also
*
List of Israel Prize recipients
*
Women's Spirit
Women's Spirit: Financial Independence - for Women Victims of Violence is an Israeli Amruta that offers women victims of domestic violence the tools and support with which to become financially independent. The organization seeks to raise aware ...
References
External links
''Feminism in Contemporary Israel''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rasnic, Ruth
1932 births
Living people
Israeli Jews
Israeli activists
Israeli women activists
21st-century Israeli women politicians
Israel Prize for lifetime achievement & special contribution to society recipients
Israel Prize women recipients
People from Tel Aviv
Israeli women's rights activists
Israeli feminists
Ratz (political party) politicians
Israeli people of Polish-Jewish descent
Jewish feminists
Jewish women activists
People from Jerusalem
Irgun members
Israeli Air Force personnel
Israeli female military personnel
Israeli diplomats
Israeli women diplomats
Kibbutzniks
Israeli translators
Jewish translators