ROME (JTA) – For the first time, a woman has been appointed to lead the Jewish community of Rome.

Ruth Dureghello, 48, who has managed a Jewish day school in the city for the past seven years, was named president on Tuesday at the first meeting of the new Rome community council, which was elected on June 14. There are 27 members on the council.

“It’s time to put aside any rivalries and work together for the good of the community,” Dureghello, who heads the For Israel list, said in her inaugural address.

In her address, she announced her intention to create a unity board that includes the other three lists which participated in the election.

The current community president, Riccardo Pacifici, was not eligible for reelection because of a regulation that prevents serving more than three consecutive terms. Pacifici is the founder of the For Israel list.

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