Sa'ar picks Shoshani for Education Ministry director

Assuming appointment is approved, it would be Shoshani's third stint in the position.

By ABE SELIG
gideon saar 248.88 (photo credit: Ori Porat [file])
gideon saar 248.88
(photo credit: Ori Porat [file])
Dr. Shimshon Shoshani will once again be director-general of the Education Ministry, pending approval by the cabinet next week, Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Sunday. Assuming his appointment is approved, it would be Shoshani's third stint as director-general of the ministry. He served in this capacity from 1986-1989, under then-education minister Yitzhak Navon, and then from 1993-1996, under ministers Shulamit Aloni and Amnon Rubinstein. The minister thanked Shlomit Amihai, the outgoing director-general, for her "ethical and professional" service in the position, along with her assistance as Sa'ar assumed his ministerial post. Sa'ar also thanked Shoshani for his willingness to re-enter the education sector, saying, "I truly appreciate Dr. Shoshani's acceptance of this position and see him as a partner in pursuing the national agenda - to initiate the needed turnaround within the education system. I'm positive, based on his impressive experience and high level of professionalism, that Dr. Shoshani will prove to be an essential asset when it comes to the success of the education system in dealing with the enormous challenges it faces. "These challenges will decide the future of Israel," Sa'ar said. "And with that comes a need to rely on experienced individuals and enlist the best minds and strengths for the service of the state." Shoshani, 72, has a PhD in educational administration from the University of Buffalo in upstate New York. He has a master's degree in literature and biblical studies from Bar-Ilan University and a bachelor's degree from Tel Aviv University. He began his professional career as a high school teacher in Givatayim, was principal of the historic Gymnasia Herzliya and head of the Center for Educational Technology. He also served as the Education Ministry's director for elementary schools and the director of the Tel Aviv Municipality's Education, Culture and Sport department. Shoshani has also filled various public roles, including the head of UNESCO in Israel, the director of Yad Ben Zvi, head of the Community Centers Corporation in Israel, and as a member of the Van Leer Institute's board. Shoshani has spent the past few years as director-general of the Taglit birthright program, which brings thousands of young Jews from around the world to Israel every year and injects millions of dollars into the local economy. He was recently awarded this year's Chaim Herzog Prize for special contribution to the state in the field of education. Shoshani, a father of three, lives in Herzliya, and is married to Dr. Yael Shoshani, a psychologist.