What is the committee of elders in book The Giver?

In the novel "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, the Committee of Elders is a ruling body that governs the community in which the story takes place. The Committee is composed of twelve elderly members who are selected based on their wisdom, experience, and knowledge of the community's history and traditions. The Committee is responsible for making decisions on all important matters affecting the community, including assigning jobs, enforcing rules, and maintaining social order. The members of the Committee are considered to be the most respected and influential members of the community, and their decisions are typically accepted without question by the rest of the population.