Lapid Announces New Pick to Head Jewish Agency
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid nominated a candidate for the next head of the Jewish Agency on Wednesday.
“Dr. Ruth Calderon is a role model, who will represent us well in the Jewish Agency,” Lapid said. “She has deep familiarity with Jewish history and the challenges of the future.”
Calderon, 60, holds advanced degrees in Jewish Studies from Hebrew University, and was a member of Knesset from Lapid’s Yesh Atid party from 2013-15.
Her appointment faces opposition from within the selection committee from the Orthodox World Mizrachi and could ruin her chances.
Other candidates for the job include Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum former MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh, former U.N. envoy Danny Danon, former ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, and former minister Omer Yankelevich.
The final deadline for making a selection is the end of February, when the Board of Governors convenes to approve the new Agency head.
Calderon replaces the prior Yesh Atid nominee, Intelligence Services Minister Elazar Stern, who quit the race in a controversy over his handling of harassment complaints while an officer in the IDF.
To Read The Full Story
Are you already a subscriber?
Click "Sign In" to log in!
Become a Web Subscriber
Click “Subscribe” below to begin the process of becoming a new subscriber.
Become a Print + Web Subscriber
Click “Subscribe” below to begin the process of becoming a new subscriber.
Renew Print + Web Subscription
Click “Renew Subscription” below to begin the process of renewing your subscription.
