by Reuben Rosenfeld in VIN News
In a historic move reaffirming America’s commitment to faith and freedom, President Donald J. Trump has appointed several prominent Orthodox Jewish leaders to serve on the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders to the newly established U.S. Religious Liberty Commission. Among the appointees are Rabbi Yaakov Menken of the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), Rabbi Mark Gottlieb of the Tikvah Fund, Rabbi Eitan Webb of Chabad at Princeton University, and Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel of Agudath Israel of America.
The announcement was first reported by Jewish Insider’s Senior National Correspondent Gabby Deutch.
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The Commission was created through an Executive Order signed by President Trump on May 1st, establishing three key advisory boards—Religious Leaders, Legal Experts, and Lay Leaders—to guide the Commission’s mission. Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick will chair the Commission, with Dr. Ben Carson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, serving as vice chair.
President Trump’s order highlights growing concern over Federal, State, and local actions that threaten constitutionally protected religious expression—particularly policies that erode conscience protections, restrict access to religious education, or marginalize faith-based institutions from public life.
The Advisory Board of Religious Leaders brings together voices from diverse religious traditions. The inclusion of Orthodox Jewish figures reflects the community’s vital role in advocating for religious rights and their growing influence in shaping public policy.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Executive Vice President of CJV, stated:
“I am honored to join fellow religious leaders on this Commission to uphold and protect the freedoms that are foundational to our nation. The Jewish community understands all too well what happens when religious liberty is undermined, which is why we must be vigilant and proactive in defending these rights for all Americans.”
Collectively, these leaders bring decades of experience in education, policy, and religious advocacy. Their appointments are being hailed as a powerful affirmation of Torah values in the public square and a crucial step in ensuring that people of faith can continue to live, worship, and educate their children according to their deepest beliefs.
The Orthodox Jewish community has long warned of the consequences of government overreach on religious practice—from attacks on traditional education models to attempts to impose secular ideology on religious institutions. The creation of the Religious Liberty Commission signals a renewed commitment by the Trump administration to confront these challenges head-on.
As the Commission begins its work, Orthodox leaders and their Christian allies are expected to bring forward urgent concerns and propose robust, actionable solutions to protect religious Americans across the country.