The Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Ofir Sofer, decided to appoint Adv. Avihai Kahana to the position of Director General of the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption.
Today (Thursday) Kahana successfully passed the inspection of the appointment committee at the Civil Service Commission and his appointment will be confirmed at the cabinet meeting this coming Sunday.
Kahana, 38, married + 4 from Modi’in, held several senior positions in the civil service. Kahana served as Chief of Staff of the Director General of the Ministry of Justice and in this role led government decisions and significant reforms in the public service. Before that, he served as the director of the regulatory policy department at the Ministry of Justice, while being responsible for extensive moves to reduce bureaucracy and improve service to the public in all of the ministry’s units. As a lawyer, he specialized and worked as a lawyer, while holding a number of positions, including senior advisor to the deputy state attorney in civil matters.
Kahana studied at the Hesder yeshiva in Ma’ale Adumim, and after completing his studies at the yeshiva, he served in an educational position alongside the head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Sabtu. Among other things, he was responsible for the yeshiva’s children abroad program, while accompanying dozens of students in their first years in Israel and in the recruitment process for the IDF.
Kahana has a bachelor’s degree in law from Bar Ilan University and a master’s degree in administration and public policy from Tel Aviv University.
In a letter to the Commissioner of the Civil Service Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, Minister Ofir Sofer wrote: “When I assumed the position of Minister of Immigration and Absorption, I looked for a suitable, values-oriented, Zionist, professional and dedicated candidate to serve as the general manager of my office. I spoke with senior officials in the public and private sectors to receive recommendations on worthy candidates with Strategic, creative and innovative thinking that are suitable for leading the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption on its important national challenges.”
Minister Sofer also added: “After examining a number of candidates in recent weeks, I came to a decision and found Attorney Avihai Kahana to be the most suitable to manage the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, given his significant and extensive professional and managerial experience in leading central headquarters procedures in the government in front of senior public sector officials. Along with being a dedicated and initiative manager, who manages employees and managers with a pleasant demeanor, I was impressed that Attorney Kahane has clear assertiveness and the ability to achieve significant goals. I wish him great success in his position.”
Minister Sofer thanked the outgoing CEO Daganit Sankar-Lenga: “I want to thank the outgoing CEO, Mrs. Daganit Sankar-Lenga for her work in the office in the various positions, Daganit was called to lead in view of the great wave of immigration in the last year and performed the role to the best of her ability. During I did the last one with Daganit, an optimal and professional overlap with the office’s work, and I wish her great success in the future.”
Attorney Avihai Kahana said: “I thank Minister Sofer for the trust he placed in me in choosing me for the position of CEO. The Ministry of Aliya and Absorption is a Zionist and national government ministry of the first order. I am sure that under the leadership of Minister Sofer we will bring aliya to the State of Israel to new heights, while connecting The whole of Israeli society for this important challenge.”