Baltimore, MD, Oct. 22, 2020 — The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1500 traditional, observant Rabbis in matters of public policy, announced today that Rabbi Moshe B. Parnes of Hollywood, FL and Rabbi Ze'ev Smason of St. Louis, MO joined the organization’s Rabbinic Board as Southern and Midwestern Regional Vice President, respectively.

Rabbi Parnes is the Dean of the Hollywood Community Kollel in Florida, while Rabbi Smason is the spiritual leader of Nusach Hari B'nai Zion in Missouri. Both are rabbinic leaders esteemed in and beyond their communities.

Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, formerly Eastern Regional Vice President of the CJV, recently retired as spiritual leader of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, NJ. He continues his service to the CJV as its new Israel Regional Vice President, having made Aliyah (moved to Israel) in July.

Formed in 2017, the CJV is directed by a Rabbinic Board of nationally known rabbinic leaders from both Modern Orthodox and traditional (“Haredi”) Orthodox circles. Board officers work collectively to find consensus on the important issues of the day, articulate an authentic Jewish perspective on current events, and advocate for traditional Jewish values while setting organizational policy. With the recent additions of Rabbis Parnes and Smason and Rabbi Pruzansky as the organization's voice in Israel, the CJV now reflects a broader national and international presence.

“The addition of Rabbis Parnes and Smason to the CJV board cements our place as the leading voice representing the consensus of America's rabbis in public policy,” said Rabbi Pesach Lerner, President of the CJV. “As we expand our operations, we anticipate continued progress in our advocacy and educational efforts.”

“I am honored and humbled to be included in the Board of the Coalition for Jewish Values,” added Rabbi Parnes.“CJV has become an outstanding advocate for Torah and for Traditional Jewish Values and it’s work has been recognized in the US and abroad. I’m excited to join their team and to assist in their important mission.”  

“In less than four years since its founding, the CJV has become a significant resource in standing for public positions that reflect traditional Jewish thought,” said Rabbi Smason.   “I have great admiration for the CJV’s passionate expression and defense of the Biblical values that formed America's moral foundation, and I am greatly honored to join this prestigious organization to assist in sharing a genuine Torah perspective on issues now debated nationally, including Israel, anti-Semitism, religious liberty and more.”

The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), the largest rabbinic public policy organization in America, articulates and advocates for public policy positions based upon traditional Jewish thought.