Midwestern Regional VP

Rabbi Ze’ev Smason is the rabbi of Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Congregation in St. Louis, Missouri where he has served since 1998. Rabbi Smason studied in Yeshivat Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem for eight years, and received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Noach Weinberg and Rabbi Avrohom Kupshitz. He received a BA in Political Science from UCLA, and was associate director of Aish HaTorah Center of Jewish Studies of St. Louis for eight years. A twenty-year member of the Rabbinical Council of America and two-term member of the RCA Executive Committee, Rabbi Smason is active in many pro-Zionist organizations, causes and advocacy.

Midwestern Regional VP

Rabbi Yonason Goldson graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in English, which he put to good use by setting off hitchhiking cross-country and backpacking across Europe.  He eventually arrived in Israel where he connected with his Jewish roots and spent the next nine years studying Torah, completing his rabbinic training as part of Ohr Somayach’s first ordination program.  After teaching yeshiva high school for 23 years in Budapest, Hungary, Atlanta, Georgia, and St. Louis, Missouri, Rabbi Goldson established himself as a professional speaker and advisor, working with business leaders to create a company culture built on ethics and trust.  He has published seven books and given two TEDx Talks, is an award-winning host of two podcasts, and writes a weekly column for Fast Company Magazine.  He also serves as scholar-in-residence for congregations around the country.