Jerrold Kessel

Yoram Jerrold Kessel (March 3, 1944 – February 24, 2011) was an Israeli journalist, sports journalist, author and foreign correspondent. Kessel, a former news editor for the Jerusalem Post,^[1] reported on the Middle East for CNN from its Jerusalem bureau from 1990 to 2003, when he became recognizable to viewers for his white beard.^[2] He had been called "one of Israel’s leading English-language journalists."^[1]

Kessel moved from South Africa to Israel at an early age.^[2] He initially worked for Israel Radio, the Jerusalem correspondent for the London Jewish Chronicle, and the Jerusalem Post before joining CNN as an on-air correspondent in 1990.^[2] He covered major events affecting Israel for CNN, including the Oslo Accords and the assassination of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.^[2] Kessel began producing and co-producing independent television programming after leaving CNN in 2003.^[2] He also authored a book of soccer and began writing a sports column for the daily newspaper, Haaretz, the last of which was published a week before his death in 2011.^[2] Instrumental in introducing cricket to Israel, Kessel played for the Israel national cricket team in the ICC Trophy from 1979 to 1990.^[3]

Jerrold Kessel died from cancer on February 24, 2011, at the age of 66.^[2] He was surivived by his wife, Lorraine, their son, Ariel, and four grandchildren.^[1] His funeral was held at Givat HaShlosha in central Israel.^[1]

References

1. Susser, Leslie (2011-02-05). "Jerrold Kessel, journalist, author, filmmaker, dies at 66". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
2. "Jerrold Kessel, former CNN correspondent, dies at 66". Variety Magazine. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
3. Susser, Leslie (25 February 2011). "Jerrold Kessel, journalist, author, filmmaker, dies at 65". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 12 April 2011.