Hofstra Law Alumnus Justice Neal Hendel ’76 Appointed to Israeli Supreme Court

Hofstra Law School, Hempstead, N.Y. —

Hofstra Law alumnus Justice Neal Hendel, Class of 1976, has been appointed to Israel’s highest court, according to the Israel National News Service.   

Justice Hendel of the Be'er Sheva District Court was chosen by the Judicial Appointments Committee which also selected two other Supreme Court candidates Uzi Fogelman and Yitzhak Amit.  Currently, a total of 15 justices sit on the Israeli Supreme Court.

“I congratulate Justice Hendel on this crowning achievement,” said Hofstra Law Dean Nora V. Demleitner.  “He is an excellent example of how far a Hofstra Law degree can take you.  This is a proud moment for the entire Hofstra Law community.”

Professor of Law Monroe H. Freedman, who served as Dean during the time Justice Hendel studied at Hofstra Law, remembers an “excellent student who was bright, conscientious and known for his great sense of humor."  He commented further on the appointment, "I consider Neal a friend and I’m simply thrilled.  He will bring honor to the Supreme Court as he has honored the Bench throughout his distinguished career.”

Neal Hendel was born in 1952 in the United States.  Before coming to Hofstra Law, he studied at Yeshiva of Flatbush High School and New York University, and in 1973 studied Talmud with Rabbi Yoseph Dov Soloveichik at Yeshiva University.  He has been a judge in Israel since 1988.

Justice Hendel’s term will end when he reaches 70 years of age.