Media Release 12 January 2012

Nearly a year after stepping foot in Australia knowing nobody else and having nothing besides the clothes on his back(pack), American and former Australian Jewish News staffer Joshua Cole has found his permanent place in the Australian Jewish community: Josh is the new Communications/Events Director for the Zionist Federation of Australia.

“We’re excited to have him because he comes with the broad skills to perform in both functions – not to mention he has so much energy, optimism and knowledge of the Australian Jewish community based on his participation meeting people in the Jewish community over the last year and on his work at the Jewish News,” said ZFA Executive Director Ginette Searle. “We anticipate much success from Josh as he takes on this exciting and challenging role.”

In the joint role of communications and events, Josh will increase awareness for ZFA, the national umbrella organisation for Australian Zionist organisations and affiliates, critically enhancing and developing the online presence and use of social media. In addition, he will manage a range of events and activities, including, in 2012 the biennial Educator’s Conference, a two-day affair scheduled for August with international and national experts for more than 300 educators from across Australia and New Zealand.

Josh arrived in Perth in February 2011, and he was hired as a part-time video editor by the Australian Jewish News in May. In addition to filming and editing videos that were posted on the AJN website, Josh also taught basic video interview skills to all Melbourne-based Grade 3 Jewish day school students who went on excursion to the AJN offices.

“Americans don’t travel, and even though I was living out of a backpack for a couple of months I didn’t feel like a traditional ‘backpacker’,” Josh said. “When I worked for the Jewish News, I was so fortunate for the opportunity to be part of the community, to learn new skills and to be part of a wonderful staff. I’m thrilled to be able to have the same sort of opportunity at the ZFA of being part of a great staff and community and being in a creative role.”

Josh comes from Denver, Colorado, although, “I was a fat little kid, so I didn’t ski,” he said. “I’m athletic now, but I’m here now, next to the water instead of the mountains.” After graduating from Northwestern University, in Chicago, with his Bachelor’s in journalism, Josh studied for his secondary teaching license, including spending four months in Ramla, Israel, but he left the education field to work in journalism full-time, as a community reporter and photographer. He completed his Master’s in English in December 2010 and two months later came to Australia.

Further information:
Joshua Cole, Communicatons/Events Director – 03 9272 5618 / 0405 075 856, jcole@zfa.com.au
Ginette Searle, Executive Director – 03 9272 5517 / 0412 251 343