Michael Schneider has become acting secretary-general of the World Jewish Congress. Schneider, a former executive vice-president of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) was nominated to the position by the WJC's Steering Committee on 16 August 2007. He is expected to be formally elected by the WJC’s Governing Board at its next meeting.
“Michael Schneider will help move the World Jewish Congress into the future,” WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said, adding: “Michael is universally respected and is no stranger to the Jewish communities of the world. The Steering Committee expressed confidence that his extensive experience and demonstrated capabilities will greatly benefit the WJC and its constituents at this time.”
Schneider served as JDC executive vice-president and chief executive from December 1987 to May 2002 and currently leads the JDC’s Tsunami relief programs in Indonesia and an AIDS-related program in South Africa among other activities. Schneider, who was born in South Africa, was based in Iran during and after the Iranian revolution. At the JDC and elsewhere, he worked with governments and Jewish communities on every continent around the world.
“I thank President Lauder and the Steering Committee for the confidence they have shown in me and I look forward to working with them and communities around the world to advance the critical mission of the World Jewish Congress,” Schneider said.
Stephen E. Herbits, the outgoing WJC secretary-general, expressed his thanks to the Steering Committee for supporting the reforms he introduced since 2004 to institute transparency and proper governance to the institution. “Stephen led the WJC through a very difficult period,” Ronald S. Lauder pointed out. “Thanks to him, the WJC’s operations are efficient and transparent. He has led us through an historic transition and for that we are all grateful.”
