Richard Pearlstone named new chair of Jewish Agency board

Richard Pearlstone, a member of the prominent philanthropic Meyerhoff family, has been nominated to a possible eight-year term as chair of the Jewish Agency's board of governors, beginning in June.

Pearlstone, who is known as Richie, was named Sunday by the board's nominating committee.

He defeated rivals Jane Sherman, a member of the Agency executive and co-chair of the Israel committee, and Alan Shulman, former co-chair of the aliyah and absorption committee.

Sherman is the daughter of the late Max Fischer, the founding chair of the Agency's board of governors.

"A major giver" to Jewish causes, Pearlstone, 59, is expected to assume the position this summer after an official, but largely ceremonial election at the board of governors meeting in June.

Pearlstone is a businessman who heads a real estate development and financial services company, and he is the grandson of the late Joseph Meyerhoff, the legendary American Jewish businessman and philanthropist. Meyerhoff chaired the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) and led the drive to sell Israel bonds, which helped to generate funds for the fledgling State of Israel.

The Meyerhoff family of Baltimore donates millions of dollars a year to various charitable institutions in the U.S. and Israel. Pearlstone himself is affiliated with dozens of institutions and is former national chair of the UJA. He is also former chair of the Agency's budget and finance committee.

Pearlstone divides his time between his homes in Baltimore and Aspen, Colorado. An avid skier who is said to sport an incessant tan, he is considered something of a charmer.

"He's down to earth and even though he's a man of means, he's not a snob and is very accessible," said one Agency insider. "He wants results, but he is very laid back and knows how to enjoy life."

Pearlstone's nomination has been approved by the advice and consent committee and is expected to be ratified on Tuesday. He will succeed Carole Solomon, the first woman to chair the Agency's board of governors, who was elected to the position in 2003.