Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion's Life Story: From Cantor to City Hall
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion celebrated his 65th birthday, reflecting on a diverse career that includes cantorial traditions, accounting, and public service. He previously served as director of the Prime Minister's Office and chairman of Israel Railways. Lion was first elected mayor in 2018 after a previous loss and won re-election in February 2024 with over 81% of the vote.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion celebrated his 65th birthday on Tuesday.
- Lion previously served as director of the Prime Minister's Office under Benjamin Netanyahu.
- He was first elected Mayor of Jerusalem in 2018 and re-elected in February 2024 with over 81% of the vote.
- Lion has a background in accounting and was the first chairman of Israel Railways as a state-owned company.
- His family has a strong cantorial tradition, which he continues to practice.
- Lion's siblings are academics, including a professor and a sociologist.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion is celebrating his 65th birthday, marking a life journey that spans from a childhood in Tel Aviv and a family heritage of cantorial tradition to a prominent career in accounting and public service, culminating in his leadership of the capital city.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1961, Lion grew up in Givatayim, with a father from Thessaloniki and a mother of Yemeni descent. His family had a strong cantorial tradition, with his father serving as a cantor and Lion himself continuing this legacy, even recording a cantorial album and performing as a cantor in his synagogue today. His musical talent extended to his military service, where he sang in the Military Rabbinate Choir.
Before entering politics, Lion built a successful career as an accountant. After earning degrees in economics, accounting, and law, he became a certified public accountant in 1990 and co-founded a major accounting firm. His public service career began when he worked closely with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, serving as deputy director-general and economic advisor, and later as director of the Prime Minister's Office from 1997 to 1999.
Lion also played a key role in the modernization of Israel's railway system, serving as the first chairman of Israel Railways after it became a state-owned company in 2003, overseeing a significant development plan. His connection to Jerusalem deepened when he chaired the Jerusalem Development Authority for five years, contributing to projects like the First Station complex.
Lion's path to becoming mayor involved an initial electoral defeat in 2013 to Nir Barkat, followed by a successful run in 2018 against Ofer Berkovich with 50.85% of the vote. In February 2024, he secured a second term with an overwhelming majority, winning over 81% of the votes against Yossi Havilio.
Married with four children, Lion resides in Jerusalem's Rehavia neighborhood. His academic family includes his sister, Professor Orly K. Miron of Bar-Ilan University, and his brother, Professor Nissim Leon, a sociologist and anthropologist.