The Jewish Council for Public Affairs [JCPA] has named Amy Spitalnick as its new CEO. The appointment could not come soon enough, after the organization’s decision to pursue a more liberal approach to break away from the consensus-driven Jewish Federations of America.

In addition to being called a “modern-day Nazi fighter”, Spitalnick has earned the title of “democracy defender.”

Spitalnick sued the Charlottesville 2017 neo-Nazis “Unite the Right” rally organizers and won a successful multimillion-dollar lawsuit, as the executive director of Integrity First for America [IFA].

Spitalnick, 37, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that she would focus on building relationships with other communities that are vulnerable to hatred and erosions in democracy.

“There needs to be an organization that wholeheartedly recognizes how deeply intertwined Jewish safety is with other communities’ safety and how bound up that all is in a broader fight for democracy at this moment, and builds the sorts of coalitions within and across communities that are essential to moving the needle,” she said.

*Front Row Center: Amy Spitalnick’s Grandmother Anna before the Holocaust. Her five sisters (back row) did not survive.* *via PBS*

Spitalnick is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and has been called a “Modern-Day Nazi fighter”. She was interviewed in-depth by PBS in the initial stages of her lawsuit, which is outlined on the Integrity First for America website now woven into an archive, as its founder moves on.

While stressing that JCPA will remain nonpartisan the new CEO is committed to confronting tropes peddled by Republicans including former President Donald Trump, who is a leading contender for the 2024 Republican nomination.

JCPA received a three-year grant from the UJA-Federation of New York, as well as significant gifts from JCPA Chair David Bohm and Lois Frank, the previous JCPA chair and a member of the restructuring team. Spitalnick will also be charged with fundraising going forwards.

All reports are that the road ahead is not clearly defined, but the new CEO’s credentials, fierce track record in fighting battles and alignment with the larger social justice community is thrilling many of her backers.