Ishie Gitlin was born on March 18, 1943, in Mexico City. A distinguished civil engineer and dedicated community leader, he has made significant contributions to both the business and Jewish communities in Mexico and beyond.
Gitlin pursued his early education at Colegio Hebreo Tarbut and Colegio Israelita de México before earning a degree in engineering from the Facultad de Ingeniería at UNAM. He later continued his academic journey with postgraduate studies in Manchester, England, and a Master’s in Jewish Studies from Universidad Hebraica.
Professionally, he built a successful career in the steel industry, serving as the CEO of Mexicana de Laminación. Alongside his business endeavors, he has been deeply involved in volunteer and leadership roles within the Jewish community. His commitment began in 1971 as a member of the Executive Committee of the Centro Deportivo Israelita (CDI), where he later served as President from 1979 to 1980. Over the years, he remained an active leader, serving five terms as CDI President and joining its Board of Directors from 1978 to 2021.
Beyond CDI, Gitlin played a pivotal role in Jewish communal affairs on both national and international levels. From 1997 to 2001, he served as President of the Central Committee of the Jewish Community in Mexico and as Vice President of the Latin American Jewish Congress. His influence extended into governmental affairs, where he acted as Coordinator of the National Security Council and served on various Mexican government boards between 2002 and 2008. Additionally, he advised four Mexican presidents—Ernesto Zedillo, Vicente Fox, Felipe Calderón, and Enrique Peña Nieto—on issues affecting the Jewish community from 1997 to 2018.
Gitlin’s passion for Jewish and global community engagement was further demonstrated through his long-standing involvement with Maccabi World Union, beginning in 1973. From 2008 to 2016, he served as Chairman of JCC Global (World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers), and since 2021, he has been a member of CDI’s Consulting Board. In 2009, Gitlin received the Yakir Maccabi Award, as well as the Yakir CDI Award in 2022.
A lifelong athlete, Gitlin excelled in basketball, earning the title of Rookie of the Year in Mexico’s Major League at just 20 years old. He represented Mexico in international competitions, including the Central American tournament, and played in the 1961 and 1965 Maccabi Games. He was also a member of Mexico’s pre-selection team for the 1968 Olympic Games. His leadership in sports continued as Head of the Mexican Team at the 1973 Maccabiah Games and as President of the Mexican Delegation at the 1981 Maccabiah Games, as well as at the Pan-American Maccabi Games in Venezuela and Uruguay.
A devoted family man, Gitlin is the proud father of three children—Galia, Rina, and Ricardo—grandfather to ten grandchildren, and great-grandfather to one.
Throughout his life, Ishie Gitlin has exemplified dedication, leadership, and service, leaving a lasting impact on both the business world and the Jewish community worldwide.
