Meir Soloveichik Elected as USCIRF Vice Chair

Meir Soloveichik Elected as USCIRF Vice Chair

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) unanimously elected Meir Soloveichik as its Vice Chair following former Vice Chair Eric Ueland’s departure from the Commission for a federal role.

“It is truly an honor to be elected as Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Soloveichik. “I want to thank my esteemed colleagues for their unanimous support as I lead alongside Chair Schneck to further advance the Commission’s vital mission.”

Vice Chair Soloveichik was appointed to the Commission in 2024 by Senator Mitch McConnell for a term until May 2026. Vice Chair Soloveichik is Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, the Director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University, and a Senior Scholar at the Tikvah Fund.

“We thank former Vice Chair Ueland for his significant contributions to the Commission’s mission to advance freedom of religion or belief in U.S. foreign policy,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “I am eager to continue our work with Vice Chair Soloveichik whose good nature, expertise, and passion will be essential contributions to leadership that advances USCIRF’s work.”

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives. Also serving on the Commission are Ariela Dubler, Mohamed Elsanousi, Maureen Ferguson, Susie Gelman, Vicky Hartzler, and Asif Mahmood. Read the Commissioners’ biographies here.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].