US President Barack Obama has named an observant Jew with long experience of Capitol Hill and close Jewish community ties as his new chief of staff, one of the most consuming jobs in the United States.
Jack Lew, 56, will replace William Daley who announced he will leave at the end of the month.
Lew is currently Obama’s budget director, a cabinet-level position and a post he also filled during the administration of Bill Clinton.
He previously was Obama's deputy secretary of state and worked for several years as domestic policy adviser to the late House of Representatives Speaker Tip O'Neill.
He also had an experience in the private sector as managing director and chief operating officer of Citigroup's global wealth management division.