Obama picks Orthodox Jew for budget post

President Barack Obama nominated Jacob Lew, an Orthodox Jew, as director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Lew, who held the top OMB post under President Bill Clinton, is a deputy secretary of state for management and resources.

He would succeed another Jew, Peter Orszag, who reportedly is leaving because he’s moving to New York, the home of his fiancée, ABC News reporter Bianna Golodryga.

“As the budget director who left the next administration a $237 billion surplus when he worked for President Clinton, I have no doubt that Jack has proven himself equal to this extraordinary task,” Obama said July 13 in announcing the nomination, which as a Cabinet-level position must be confirmed by the Senate. — jta