When ruling on cases, what role does a judge’s personal experience and perspective play in making decisions?  Could rulings that change lives or shift policy be affected by the personal histories of those bearing the gavel? How do judges balance their own moral compass while staying true to the rule of law?

An esteemed legal panel will grapple with this issue during a talk at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center (333 Nahanton Street) in Newton on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30pm. Legal expert Frederick M. Lawrence, President, Brandeis University, will moderate a discussion with Hon. Nancy Gertner, United States District Court Judge (Ret.) and Hon. Salim Joubran, the first Arab Israeli to receive permanent appointment to the Supreme Court of Israel.

How Judges Judge – The Role of Personal Values in Judicial Decisions is part of the Jonathan Samen Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations Discussion Series at the JCC – a program of the Ryna Greenbaum JCC Center for the Arts. Tickets are $18. Contact 617-965-5226, boxoffice@jccgb.org or visit www.bostonjcc.org/hotbuttons.