Discussion Papers Series
About Avner Shalev
Avner Shalev has been Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate since 1993. He is Chief Curator of the landmark Holocaust History Museum that opened in 2005, and of Yad Vashem's permanent exhibit in the Jewish Block at the Auscwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which opened in 2013. Yad Vashem, under the leadership of Avner Shalev, has been a highly valued partner of the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme. The institution has provided expertise and co-sponsored exhibits, co-produced educational publications and conducted training for United Nations staff members. Shalev served in the Israel Defense Forces between 1956 and 1980, reaching the rank of brigadier general. After retiring from military service, Shalev served as Director General of the Culture Authority in the Ministry of Education and Culture, and Chairman of the National Culture and Art Council. In that capacity, Shalev instituted new standards for Israel’s leading cultural bodies, and initiated programs - such as nationwide art, music and drama festivals - in order to increase cultural awareness and involvement. He has served on the boards of various Israeli national museums and cultural institutions. Among his publications are To Bear Witness - Holocaust Remembrance at Yad Vashem (2005) and We Are Here – Holocaust Survivors in Israel (2008). He holds a B.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in modern history of the Middle East and geography, and graduated from the IDF Command and Staff College and National Security College.