Claims Conference Appoints Ayelet Metzger as Ombudsman
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The Claims Conference has appointed Ayelet Metzger as Ombudsman, following a lengthy international search, announced President Julius Berman.
Ms. Metzger, who was born in the United States and made aliyah to Israel from Canada, most recently served as Deputy CEO of the Second Authority for Radio and Television, a public statutory body that supervises and enforces media regulations on commercial television and radio broadcasters in Israel. In this capacity, Ms. Metzger dealt extensively with a wide range of public inquiries and worked to identify the public interest in order to better evaluate and improve broadcast services.
Ms. Metzger has a long record of work in the public sector, and previously held a number of increasingly senior positions at the Second Authority. She is currently a pre-doctoral student at the Federmann School of Public Policy and Government of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She holds a Master’s Degree in public policy and government from the Hebrew University, where she also earned her Bachelor’s Degree, as well as a mediation certificate from the Israel School of Mediation.
“We are highly pleased to welcome Ayelet Metzger as Claims Conference Ombudsman,” said President Julius Berman. “Her experience handling complaints and other sorts of inquiries from the public will enhance the work of the Claims Conference in advocating for the rights of Holocaust victims and caring for elderly victims who increasingly need our aid.”
Ms. Metzger’s responsibilities as Ombudsman, among others, will include: receiving complaints regarding Claims Conference actions relating to the programs the organization administers; determining whether an issue raised by an inquiry warrants consulting with the pertinent individuals, otherwise investigating the matter or other follow-up activity; and attempting to resolve the grievance, problem or concern raised.
“Ms. Metzger demonstrated a profound empathy for Holocaust survivors. She strongly expressed the importance of respecting the concerns of survivors, regardless of the soundness or ultimate outcome of their inquiries,” said Abe Biderman, chairman of the Ombudsman search committee, also citing Ms. Metzger’s extensive knowledge about the Holocaust and her “Impressive professional credentials.”
