Israel Envoy Picks Orthodox Educator Close To Ivanka Trump As Chief Of Staff
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Nathan Guttman April 4, 2017
David Friedman, sworn in last week as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, has made his first staff pick, an assistant who also has an unorthodox background for a diplomatic job.
Michael Wilner reports in the Jerusalem Post that Friedman’s pick for his chief of staff is Aryeh Lightstone, an Orthodox educator, who is also close to Ivanka Trump.
Lightstone, according to the report, has won awards for his Jewish educational initiatives in the New York area and most recently served as chief creative officer of Mekorot Education, an online Jewish education resource.
It is not unusual for U.S. ambassadors to appoint top assistants from outside the State Department. Neither Friedman nor Lightstone will come to the post with any previous experience in government or in foreign policy.
Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
