NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Jewish Agency for Israel today announced the election of James S. Tisch, President and CEO of the Loews Corporation, as the next Chairman of its prestigious Board of Governors. Tisch will replace Richard Pearlstone, who has served as Board of Governors Chairman since 2007. The Board of Governors is the legislative body of the Jewish Agency and is made up of representatives of Jewish communities from around the world.
Tisch, 58, hails from one of the most prominent Jewish families in North America, owners of the Loews Corporation and generous donors to Jewish causes around the world. James Tisch has held key community positions, among them Chairman of the Board of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and President of UJA-Federation of New York. James’ father was Laurence Tisch, an enthusiastic supporter of the State of Israel, who passed away in 2003. The Tisch family was a partner in the CBS television network and Laurence served a number of years as the network’s President and CEO.
Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive, Natan Sharansky, known proponent for democracy and human rights during the Soviet regime, noted that James Tisch will be assuming his new role as Chairman of the Board of Governors at a time of important changes in the organization. The Jewish Agency is currently in the midst of general restructuring aimed at fostering continued growth, while enhancing its program offering in the areas of global Jewish identity, community building, and aliyah. Sharansky thanked outgoing Chairman Richard Pearlstone for his many years of dedication to the Jewish Agency and his contribution to the Jewish people and the State of Israel at important moments.
The Jewish Agency is the world's largest Jewish non-profit organization, serving as the overseas arm of North American Jewry. Established in 1929, the Agency was instrumental in the founding of the State of Israel and now works to ensure the future of a connected, committed, global Jewish People with a strong Israel at its center. The Jewish Agency pursues this goal by bringing young Jews to Israel for life-changing experiences and involving them in social activism throughout the world. More information can be obtained at www.jewishagency.org.