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Nefesh B'Nefesh appoints new director to replace former diplomat Ayalon
By Raphael Ahren
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Nefesh B'Nefesh's new vice chairman is former Immigrant Absorption Ministry director general Erez Halfon, the immigrant assistance organization announced yesterday.
Halfon, 38, will assume his new post on September 1. He will be responsible for "enhancing the organization's strategic partnerships with Israeli government bodies and agencies, and furthering its ties within the Jewish World," NBN stated.
Halfon's predecessor is Danny Ayalon, a former ambassador to the U.S. and now deputy foreign minister. Ayalon stepped down in October to enter politics. During his three years at the ministry, Halfon instituted reforms that improved the absorption process for immigrants and returning citizens, NBN said in a statement, including an "extensive international campaign to attract citizens back to Israel, including new tax breaks."
Before his term at the ministry, Halfon was a special counsel to prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert.
"Having such a prominent key player in the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption join our executive team, as we approach the milestone of bringing our 25,000th [immigrant], is a significant achievement for the organization," said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, NBN co-founder and executive director.
One immigration professional said Halfon's Mizrahi background made his appointment especially significant.
"Until now, the NBN top brass consisted exclusively of WASPs - white Ashkenazi sabras with protexia. That they now chose the son of Moroccan immigrants to such a position shows that they want to be an organization for all Israelis, not just for one small part of it. Halfon represents the true Israel," the person said. |
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