Galit Widerman Appointed CEO of Community Centers Company After Shas Candidate Disqualified

The board of the Community Centers Company (Hevra LeMitnassim) appointed attorney Galit Widerman as the new CEO on Wednesday. Her appointment will now be submitted for approval to the Dotan Committee, which oversees senior appointments in government companies. Widerman currently serves as Senior Deputy Director at the Government Companies Authority, where she leads labor relations, appointments, corporate governance, and diversity initiatives.

Widerman was previously selected as the second-choice candidate by the company's search committee, which had initially chosen Moshe Mor Yosef, Deputy CEO of the Interior Ministry. However, the Dotan Committee rejected Mor Yosef’s appointment due to lack of experience. It was also revealed that Shas party had pushed for Mor Yosef’s nomination despite a State Comptroller report accusing him of falsifying parts of his resume when applying for a CEO position at the Negev Development Authority.

The Community Centers Company, a government-owned entity operating under the Education Ministry, manages a nationwide network of 170 community centers aimed at strengthening local communities and providing services across all age groups and sectors. Its 2025 budget reached 5 billion shekels, with the CEO’s salary around 45,000 shekels gross per month. The company plays a significant role in funding social activities, including in peripheral areas where Shas is politically active.

The final appointment requires signatures from Education Minister Yoav Kisch and Minister Dudi Amsalem, who oversees the Government Companies Authority. The board’s search committee was chaired by Ariel Mishal and reviewed over 50 candidates, narrowing down to eight and then four finalists, including Widerman and Mor Yosef.