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While the conference discussions on Israeli feminism, women's health and domestic violence were spirited and meaningful, participants said that praying together on a wintry morning was one of the week's highlights.

"Religious pluralism has to become an elevated value in Israel," Burstein said. "I want to bring equality here. I want to support women because this is a holy place."

As part of the conference, leading American and Israeli feminists were honored in a Knesset ceremony Jan. 26.

American women honored included author Betty Friedan, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman and author Letty Cottin Pogrebin. An award was also slated to be given in memoriam to former Congresswoman Bella Abzug.