The Clinic for the Representation of Marginalized Population Groups

“I decided to study law because I wanted to receive tools to help and influence society. The first time I felt this really happening was when I had the privilege to join the most amazing ‘family’ at the University. As part of my studies at the Clinic, I was exposed to many issues concerning human rights and poverty. The Clinic enriched my legal knowledge, I learned to draft papers and legal letters, and submit court claims — but that wasn’t the main thing I learned. I also gained insight into the bureaucratic difficulties that our clients had to deal with, I learned how to take responsibility for the first time, and of course I got to experience the role of community lawyer, which gave me the taste for more"

Third year Law student

students

The Clinic for the Representation of Marginalized Population Groups provides free legal aid, consultation and representation to individuals within Jerusalem’s marginalized and socioeconomic peripheral communities. Law students in the program are dispatched to five of the city’s services centers located in Jerusalem’s low-income, underserved neighborhoods. The students provide ongoing assistance under the supervision of two clinical attorneys specializing in social and economic rights. 

The Clinic is also active in proposing and advocating for policy reform and change. All students in this Clinic work in pairs, with each couple engaged in offering legal assistance in the field, as well as an activity that involves public education, raising awareness or working for policy change with a wide impact.

In its effort to make the law accessible to poor populations, the Clinic deals with around 200 cases every year and as a direct result, about 1,000,000 NIS are being saved or returned to the clients annually. 

 

Among the Clinic's recent achievements:

  1. The Clinic assisted S. in receiving unemployment benefit. S. had debts that the Enforcement and Collection Authority was trying to collect. The Clinic’s students helped him to realize his right to unemployment benefits, for a total of NIS 4,400 per month. The applicant is now ready to initiate insolvency proceedings regarding his debts.

  2. The Clinic assisted a client from East Jerusalem with receiving minimum income benefits and reducing debt to the National Insurance Institute. The client received a notice from the National Insurance Institute of a debt of NIS 35,000 due to non-payment of social security taxes. The Clinic assisted the client in filing a claim for minimum income benefits as well as an application for debt settlement. Her claim for income security was approved, stipulating that the client would be required to pay only NIS 20,000 for the debt, which would be deducted from her monthly pension.

  3. Systemic obstacle in obtaining food stamps circumvented by inspiring student initiative. A Ministry of Interior criterion that only those getting a 70% discount in city taxes are eligible for food stamps effectively excluded whole populations from receiving food stamps. The Clinic worked on cases of clients unable to apply for food stamps due to language barriers and also on assisting individuals applying for food stamps as exceptional cases. It also contacted the Ministry of Interior and advocated for the issue in the media (see appendix A). Where the government failed, the Clinic’s students picked up the gauntlet. Two Clinic students started an initiative called “the right charge” that connected students eligible for food stamps but who didn’t need them with families who were in need but ineligible. To date, about 120 food stamps have been donated through this initiative.

  4. The National Insurance Institute pledged to ensure that the protocol for switching support grounds will be held. Cases handled by the Clinic that requests by single mothers to the NII to switch from alimony to income support in order to ensure eligibility for public housing, were being denied. This was despite previous National Insurance Institute procedures and announcements that it was possible. The Clinic, along with Yedidut Toronto (Toronto Friendship), contacted the NII and provided a recording of a caller being told explicitly that it was not possible to switch from alimony to income support, even after clarification with superiors. The Clinic argued that this conduct violated the rights of single mothers and was contrary to previous commitments made by the NII. In response, the NII announced that it will take measures to ensure that the protocol will be held.

  5. Digital Accessibility: The Clinic contacted the Minister of Construction and Housing to request that it develop digital platforms for the submission of applications and appeals (similar to the online service provided during the Covid crisis) and for notifying people of decisions made by the Ministry. The Clinic expects to meet with the Director General of the Ministry of Construction and Housing on the subject in the next few weeks.

From an interview of the Clinic's students by Melanie Wegodsky:

My first interview was with the delightful Eden Levi, a recent graduate of Hebrew U, with a focus in Law and Psychology. Her exuberance was palpable, even through a screen, as she described the ways in which working for the Clinic has enhanced her inspiration to pursue a legal career in human rights activism. Immersing herself with a different population has “not only allowed me the ability to step into the shoes of another, but it has opened my eyes, heart, and ears,’ says Eden. 
The hands -on educational experience that Eden received at the Clinic has not only augmented her personal life in the diverse friendships she has made, but she is confident that it will make her a better lawyer and activist. According to Eden, compassion and empathy are some of the many traits that the lawyers and educators embodied throughout their work at the Clinic. This alone, along with head strong and motivated students, enhances the quality of pro-bono work the Clinic offers.

The second person I had the pleasure of interviewing is Nimrod Litay, a fourth-year student at Hebrew University. Nimrod found his experience to be quite rewarding and memorable, as he noted the key force in his decision to work with the Clinic and pursue a legal career was his innate drive for justice. When asked what his biggest struggle with working at the Clinic was, Nimrod explained that “accepting your failures, learning from them, and realizing that you cannot help everyone,’ was most pressing. While this is a hard pill to swallow, it was also a motivating factor, in that it allowed him to strengthen his muscles and prepare for the next battle that came his way. Such qualities as learning from mistakes and using your failures as a source of strength are some of the many qualities Nimrod will take in his pursuit for justice.