from Haaretz:

Adelson crony to fill key policy-making role at Birthright

Michael Leven, 76, who plans to retire as president of Las Vegas Sands at the end of this year, will become chair of the Birthright planning committee, responsible for program design and strategy. He will replace Canadian billionaire and philanthropist Charles Bronfman, one of the founders of Birthright, who plans to step down from that position at the end of the year.

Adelson … has emerged as Birthright’s biggest benefactor in recent years, his total contributions to the organization reaching $180 million thus far. To date, however, the casino mogul … has refrained from intervening in policy decisions at Birthright, including program content, according to well-placed sources in the organization. Neither does he hold any official position in Birthright.

… The planning committee, which Leven will head, is responsible for key policy issues at Birthright, such as determining criteria for program participation, trip duration and itinerary content.