Place of birth Jerusalem, Israel 2006–2009 Kadima | Name Menachem Ben-Sasson Role Politician | |
Date of birth (1951-07-07) 7 July 1951 (age 64) Education Hebrew University of Jerusalem Knessets Israeli legislative election, 2006 Similar People Menachem Magidor, Chaim Weizmann, Albert Einstein, Judah Leon Magnes | ||
Menahem Ben-Sasson (Hebrew: מנחם בן-ששון, born 7 July 1951) is an Israeli politician and a former member of the Knesset for Kadima. He is the president of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, succeeding Menachem Magidor.
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Biography
Born in Jerusalem, Ben-Sasson served in a Nahal unit in Ein Tzurim and in the artillery section during his national service in the IDF. He went on to study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he gained a BA in History and philosophy and a PhD in the History of the Jewish People in the Islamic Lands.
Ben-Sasson lives in Jerusalem, and is married with three children. In addition to Hebrew, he speaks Arabic, English, French and German.
Academic career
After doing a post-doctorate at the University of Cambridge, he became a professor of the History of the Jewish Nation. Between 1997 and 2001 he served as rector of the Hebrew University, and represented the Association of University Heads at Knesset committees. He has also served on the board of directors at Yad Vashem, as president of the World Union of Jewish Studies, and is as vice-president of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture.
Political career
Prior to the 2006 elections, Ben-Sasson was placed 20th on Kadima's list. With the party winning 29 seats, he entered the Knesset, and was appointed chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. He also served as chairman of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee on Wiretapping, and chairs the Lobby for Higher Education.
He lost his seat in the 2009 elections.