Ronald Lauder is nominated to take over helm of the JNF

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 (JTA) — Cosmetics heir and philanthropist Ronald Lauder has been nominated to be the next president of the Jewish National Fund of America. JNF’s nominating committee chose Lauder on Monday. The board is slated to weigh in with its vote on Feb. 10. Questions have arisen, however, as to whether the process by which the board was notified of next week’s meeting was in compliance with technical requirements spelled out by the organization’s constitution, sources say. Some say that following the letter of the law means that the process could be delayed by at least two weeks. JNF officials would only say that plans are to hold the meeting as scheduled. Lauder would take over for Milton Shapiro, who has said he would step down before his term expires at the end of the year. Many in JNF’s lay leadership see Lauder’s high profile as a prescription for the organization’s recovery after recent problems over its fiscal management. For Lauder’s part, he is said to be vying for the chairmanship of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which will become vacant later this year. Being president of a member-organization is a prerequisite for the job.