WASHINGTON (JTA) — A Jewish federation official in Arizona is the new director and vice president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ Washington office.
Josh Protas, senior vice president for planning and community affairs for the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, will assume the post later this month, it was announced. Protas previously served as the director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and the executive director of the Historic Stone Avenue Temple.
He succeeds Hadar Susskind, who left last month to take a position with J Street.
“I have had the privilege to work as a local partner on a range of JCPA-led issues and some of my most striking experiences occurred when I was able to witness firsthand the human impact of policy decisions made by our nation’s political leaders," Protas said. "Armed with the insights I have gleaned from work in the field as well as the personal stories of the nation’s most vulnerable, I am excited to help the organization continue to go from strength to strength.”
JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow, noting Protas’ experience as a JCRC director and senior federation professional in Arizona, said that "Josh brings a unique perspective to Washington that will help JCPA better advocate on issues important to the Jewish community as well as better support the JCRC network as a whole."
