Costa Rica Elects Jewish V.P.

By JTA February 9, 2010

A Jewish former banker was elected the vice president of Costa Rica.

Luis Lieberman will become vice president after Costa Rican voters on Sunday elected Laura Chinchilla as the Central American country’s first female president by a wide margin.

Lieberman’s parents immigrated to Costa Rica from Poland before World War II. He is the grandson of a mohel.

Lieberman told Ynet that his being Jewish did not affect his candidacy. He said Jews are very active in Costa Rican politics. Jews have served in previous governments.

Approximately 3,000 Jews live in Costa Rica.

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