Rabbi David Saperstein confirmed as U.S. ambassador for religious freedom

c. 2014 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) The Senate has confirmed Rabbi David Saperstein as the State Department’s ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, making him the first non-Christian to hold the job.

Saperstein, who led the Reform Jewish movement’s Washington office for 40 years, focusing on social justice and religious freedom issues, was nominated by President Obama in July and confirmed by a 62-35 vote on Friday (December 12).