Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfeder Joins Touro Law as Director of the Newly Established Antisemitism Law Clinic

Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfeder, Esq. was appointed Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the newly launched Antisemitism Law Clinic, Touro Law Center Dean Elena Langan announced today.

The Antisemitism Law Clinic will offer students the opportunity to gain practical experience by working on various components of anti-discrimination litigation and legislation, from motion practice to discovery requests to appellate briefing to the drafting and marking up of bills. Depending on their interests and experience, students will have the chance to work with legislators, partner organizations, law firms, and nonprofit agencies as well as provide research and strategic litigation support. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in forums, hearings, and conferences. The Clinic will enroll students beginning in the Fall of 2025.

“At Touro University, education is the key to empowerment. Given the rise in antisemitism around the world since October 7, this initiative is particularly timely and important. Touro is pleased to launch the nation’s first-ever antisemitism clinic at a law school to train the next generation of legal advocates and provide our law students with the opportunity to make a difference and impact policy and ultimately, society. Our graduates will use the skills they build to speak up for justice by defending individuals or institutions, advocating for legislative change or addressing antisemitism in employment,” said Touro President, Dr. Alan Kadish.

Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfeder, Esq. is the CEO and Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Inc. He has served as the founding Editor of the Cambridge University Press Series on Law and Judaism, a Trustee of the Center for Israel Education, and, by Presidential appointment, as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council.

"Dr. Goldfeder brings exceptional expertise and experience that will greatly enrich our students' education and advance our institutional commitment to combating hatred and discrimination through the new Antisemitism Law Clinic. Dr. Goldfeder’s scholarly contributions and practical experience make him uniquely qualified to lead this important initiative,” said Dean Langan. “I am confident that his dedication to justice and commitment to fostering an inclusive community will make him an outstanding addition to our faculty as the clinic addresses complex legal challenges facing communities targeted by antisemitism,” continued Langan.

“I am thrilled to be leading this clinic at Touro Law and am confident that our work will make a lasting impact in the community and for the students involved,” stated Dr. Goldfeder. “I hope the clinic will serve as a model for similar programs around the country.”

Goldfeder’s work focuses on law and religion, constitutional law, and international law. He publishes widely in those areas, including both academically and in popular publications like CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Forbes, and other major media outlets. He is also co-author of the five-volume treatise Religious Organizations and the Law (Westlaw). Goldfeder handles cases involving antisemitism issues around the country, and lectures and writes widely on those topics. He has worked with local, state, and federal legislators on measures to support the Jewish community, and has defended students, professors, businesses, and nonprofits targeted for their support of the Jewish State. He has worked on cases at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, and has successfully represented clients including American and Israeli nonprofits in federal litigation. 

In 2017, he received the Opher Aviran Stand with Israel Award from Hillel, and in 2018, the Jon Barkan Israel Advocacy Award from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in recognition of his work. He received his Doctorate and LLM degrees from Emory University and his Juris Doctor degree from NYU School of Law. He received his Bachelor of Arts at Yeshiva University in Journalism.

XXX

 

 

 

Patti Desrochers

Assistant Dean of Communications

pattid@tourolaw.edu

(631) 761-7062