The Zionist Federation (ZF) has elected its first female president, after the death of Professor Eric Moonman last month.
Estelle Gilston, a former chair of the ZF, has served as a vice-president of the organisation for the past five years. She was chosen by members and member organisations to fill the vacant position at the ZF’s mid-term conference earlier this week. The life president of the Sha’arei Tsedek Reform Synagogue in Whetstone, North London, Mrs Gilston represents Pro-Zion (the Progressive Zionist movement) on the ZF’s National Council.
Professor Moonman, a former Labour and SDP politician, was a highly respected academic and pro-Israel activist. Mrs Gilson, who worked together with Professor Moonman for many years, said that he had “left some very large shoes to fill.
“I look forward to taking on the role with his voice of reason constantly in my mind.”
