(JTA) — Eli Ovits, a top official with Jerusalem U, has been appointed the executive director of the global Limmud network and organization.
The appointment, after an international executive search, was announced Monday.
At Jerusalem U, a U.S. – and Israel-based educational content provider, Ovits served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He will relocate from Jerusalem to London.
Ovits has also served as an international media spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces and headed communications for The Israel Project based in Washington, D.C.
“Ovits will work closely with Limmud Chair David Hoffman and the Limmud Board to build on and expand Limmud’s unique strengths in convening Jews of every type, spread Limmud’s model of celebrating Jewish learning, and mentor ever-increasing numbers of volunteers,” the Limmud announcement said.
Limmud has over 80 organizations in 43 countries. The volunteer-based Jewish learning festival debuted in England more than 25 years ago and has spread to dozens of cities around the world.
In 2015, Limmud had some 33,000 participants in its events, including 2,800 in the Limmud Conference, its flagship international Jewish learning festival, held in the UK in December.
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