The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV) is expanding its leadership, appointing former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and prominent pro-Israel advocate Irit Tratt to its Advisory Board while adding three senior staff members. Representing more than 2,500 traditional Orthodox rabbis, CJV has taken an increasingly visible role in Washington and in debates surrounding Israel, antisemitism, religious liberty, and communal policy.
Friedman brings immediate recognition to the role. A bankruptcy attorney before entering public service, Friedman served as U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 2017 to 2021, helping oversee historic diplomatic developments including the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem, recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and the brokering of the Abraham Accords.
“CJV represents a unique voice in public policy, articulating Jewish values with clarity and authenticity,” Friedman said. “I believe what they are doing is critical for America’s future, and I am proud to join its Advisory Board.”
Joining Friedman on the board is Irit Tratt, an active voice in American politics, Israel advocacy, and national security. Tratt serves on the National Board of the Republican Jewish Coalition, the boards of Jewish News Syndicate and the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), and the Steering Committee of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. A former Capitol Hill legislative assistant with a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University, Tratt has written extensively on foreign policy, Israel, and the American Jewish community.
CJV is also adding three professionals to its staff: Isabella Brannon as Director of Legal Affairs, Shaya Gedz as Director of Federal Affairs, and Rabbi Meir Levin as Director of External Relations.
Brannon is a J.D. candidate at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School and a UCLA graduate who served as president of UCLA Hillel and editor-in-chief of the Jewish student publication Ha’Am. Her earlier research through the Tikvah Fund examined religious-liberty law and protections for religious minorities. She also interned this summer with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, bringing experience directly related to her new portfolio at CJV.
Gedz will oversee CJV’s federal affairs, focusing on its advocacy and relationships in Washington, while Rabbi Levin will handle external relations as CJV builds ties with organizations and leaders beyond its rabbinic membership.
“These appointments represent an important step forward for CJV as we expand our national presence and strengthen our ability to advocate for Jewish values and the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Yaakov Menken, CJV’s Executive Vice President. “At a time of rising antisemitism and growing hostility toward both Israel and Jewish values, their voices and counsel will be invaluable.”
CJV is led by its president, Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, who served for more than three decades as Rav of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills and is a past president of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. Since its founding in 2017, CJV has grown into what it describes as the largest rabbinic public-policy organization in the United States.
Its advocacy includes religious liberty, education, human rights, Israel, antisemitism, and social policy, giving traditional Orthodox rabbis an independent voice in American public affairs. With Friedman and Tratt joining its Advisory Board and three new professionals taking on key areas of its work, CJV is continuing to broaden its presence in public-policy debates affecting the Jewish community and the country.
