RFE/RL - 12.07.2001

 

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Russian Jewish Congress Elects New Leader

The board of the Russian Jewish Congress (REK) elected Yevgenii Satanovskii as its new president on 6 December, RIA-Novosti reported. Satanovskii, who previously directed the organization's Institute of the Middle East and Israel, replaces Leonid Nevzlin, who is leaving his position after being elected to represent Mordovia in the Federation Council. In an interview with strana.ru the same day, Satanovskii said improving relations between the REK and the larger Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FEOR) will be his top priority. REK is made up mainly of reformist and conservative Jewish organizations, while FEOR is an umbrella organization for Orthodox communities. VY