An Israeli-based educator is returning to UJIA to succeed Douglas Krikler as its CEO.

Michael Wegier served UJIA as director of programme and planning from 2002 to 2007, where he led strategy development in informal Jewish education and Israel experience programmes.

He has spent the past five years as executive director of the Melitz educational institute in Jerusalem, where he was responsible for setting and implementing strategy, fundraising and forging partnerships with major Israeli and diaspora organisations.

Mr Wegier, who made aliyah from London in 1989, was also director of Jewish education at the Jewish Community Centre in Baltimore from 1996-99.

He said: “UJIA’s vision of a community which supports, loves and engages with Israel is key to ensuring the positive future of Israel and the British Jewish community. When Israel is facing huge social, economic and strategic challenges, British Jewry, through UJIA, is making a profound contribution through regenerating areas of need and building the educational infrastructure on which the future of the state depends.”