JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Updated 02:17 PM EST 01.09.12

Obama names an Orthodox Jew as his next chief of staff

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- President Obama named Jack Lew,  an Orthodox Jew, to be his next chief of staff.

Lew will replace William Daley, who will be leaving at the end of the month.

Obama announced the personnel changes Monday at a press conference.

Lew is the director of the Office of Management and Budget, a Cabinet-level position and a post he also filled during the Clinton administration. He previously was Obama's deputy secretary of state.

Daley is leaving after just over a year on the job. He had succeeded Rahm Emanuel, who left the White House to run successfully for Chicago's mayor.

Lew, like Emanuel, has close Jewish community ties.

There had been speculation in the organized Jewish community about whether Obama would fill a top spot with someone close to the Jewish community after the departure last month of Dennis Ross, who had been Obama's top Iran policy adviser.

Breaking News

Blogs

Capital J

The Archive Blog

The Eulogizer

Quibbles & Kibbitz

The Telegraph

News Categories

Jewish Life

Politics

Arts & Culture

U.S.

Middle East

World News

Opinion

About

JTA is the definitive, trusted global source of breaking news, investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, opinion and features on current events and issues of interest to the Jewish people. An unaffiliated not-for-profit organization, we pride ourselves on our independence and integrity.

With correspondents in New York, Washington, Jerusalem, Moscow and dozens of other cities around the globe, JTA is able to provide in-depth coverage of political, economic and social developments affecting Jews in North and South America, Israel, Europe, Africa and Australia. JTA reporting also shines a spotlight on the cultural happenings, influential thinkers and leaders, and milestone events that are defining the Jewish experience today.

JTA is driven by the belief that knowledge is power, and that only by being better informed can the Jewish community be better connected.

Readers can access JTA reporting directly through a number of products in addition to this highly-trafficked Web site. JTA also serves as an international news, feature and photo service for over 100 Jewish publications and Web sites worldwide that depend on JTA for Jewish news outside of their local community.

Throughout its 90-year history, JTA has earned its reputation for journalistic integrity, outstanding reporting and insightful analysis. Over the years, the Jewish community has come to rely on JTA as the single most credible source of news and analysis available about events and issues of Jewish interest anywhere in the world.

Headquartered in New York, JTA is a not-for-profit corporation governed by an independent Board of Directors. It has no allegiance to any specific branch of Judaism or political viewpoint. We receive funding from a diverse array of sources.

Mobile Briefing

JTA's daily e-mail, specifically formatted for your mobile device.