Ze'ev Smason
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Ze'ev Smason
Rabbi Smason was born in Chicago and raised in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Rabbi Ze'ev Smason is the spiritual leader of Nusach Hari B'nai Zion, an orthodox congregation in St. Louis. He lives in University City
University City
University City is the name of the following locations in the United States:*University City, Missouri*University City, Charlotte, North Carolina*University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*University City, San Diego, California...
with his wife, Chani, and their 9 children.
Education
Rabbi Smason graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political SciencePolitical science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. He then pursued rabbinical studies for 8 years in Jerusalem, receiving ordination and continuing post-graduate studies while lecturing there on Torah, Philosophy, Ethics, and Current Issues.
Career
From 1988-97 Rabbi Smason was associate director of Aish HaTorahAish HaTorah
Aish HaTorah is a Jewish Orthodox organization and yeshiva. Aish HaTorah is actively pro-Israel and encourages Jewish people to visit Israel and connect to the land and its history. Some consider the organisation to reflect a more Religious Zionist philosophy in its attachment to Israel, promoting...
Center of Jewish Studies of St. Louis; from January 1998, through June 1999, he served as Associate Rabbi and Family Educator of Nusach Hari B'nai Zion before being chosen by the membership to assume the pulpit of the synagogue.
Back in August, 2007, a volunteer at Nusach Hari B'nai Zion was arrested on charges of child molestation. Rabbi Smason, received "The Child Advocate of the Week Award" from The Awareness Center for doing the right thing when he learned that there was an alleged sex offender in his synagogue. He then became one of the founders of Our Precious Children. A non-profit organization to assist Jewish survivors of sexual abused children residing in the St. Louis area.