This past week has felt like a whirlwind of activity that left me energized, inspired, and deeply grateful for the privilege of serving the Jewish people. I often tell you how meaningful it is for me to be back on the road and engaging with so many of you. The truth is that this week reminded me once again why this mission matters so profoundly. Every encounter illuminated the strength of our community and the extraordinary future we are building together.
My journey began last Friday night in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where I had the great honor of attending an alumni Shabbaton of the Young Women’s Erber Family Gesher educational program. We are now in our fourth year of this remarkable initiative, and we have been privileged to witness the emergence of so many outstanding young women who carry the values of AISH into their lives and communities. Spending Shabbat dinner with fifty of our alumni filled me with tremendous pride. Their wisdom, curiosity, and commitment to the Jewish future shone through every conversation.
I was joined by two of our beloved educators, Mrs. Dina Rich and Mrs. Aliza Leibovitz, who continue to serve as extraordinary pillars of inspiration. Their dedication to the growth of our students is a testament to the spirit that defines AISH. We spoke about our core values of wisdom, love, and responsibility. These values guide our students while they are learning on our campus in Jerusalem, yet hearing how these ideals continue to shape their lives once they are studying at universities across the country is a powerful reminder of the impact we strive to make.
Our alumni shared stories from campuses stretching from FIT to Maryland to NYU and beyond. Their reflections on the surge of antisemitic incidents during the past two years were deeply moving. Their courage and their clarity only strengthened my own resolve. I walked away from that Shabbat profoundly motivated about the future of AISH and inspired by the extraordinary promise of this next generation.
The conversation about women’s education continued throughout the week as I reflected on the vision set forth by our Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, who has made it unmistakably clear that women’s Torah learning must be a central priority for AISH. We have taken major strides with the establishment of the Suzana and Ivan Kaufman AISH Institute for Women’s Education, along with numerous programs that nurture the spiritual and intellectual growth of Jewish women around the world.
One of the highlights of the week was the visit of AISH Educator Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen, who joined events in Lawrence and Englewood. He addressed supporters and alumni of our beloved AISH Ignite program, Seminary for Moms. This initiative allows mothers to spend an immersive week experiencing the beauty and depth of seminary learning. The excitement in the room was overwhelming. Women who had never before been able to travel to Israel spoke about how eager they were to join a future cohort. Their questions, enthusiasm, and passion reflected the growing hunger within our community for genuine Torah connection. We will be announcing a new cohort very soon, and I encourage everyone to stay tuned.
On a personal note, I want to recognize someone who means a great deal to me. Michelle Weiss, whom I knew as a young woman growing up in Cleveland, has spent her life contributing to Jewish education and communal leadership. This week, she became the first Orthodox woman elected as mayor of University Heights. Her achievement is a source of pride not only for her community but for the entire Jewish world. Seeing her step into this role reminded me how vital it is for Aish to continue empowering Jewish women with the strength and confidence to lead.
After the powerful start to the week, I traveled to the General Assembly, the national gathering of Jewish Federations across North America. My close friend, AISH partner and JFNA National Campaign Chair David Heller, has long played a significant role in the Cleveland Jewish community and in the broader Jewish communal world. He has been advocating for deeper involvement from organizations like AISH, whose global influence is immense yet sometimes not fully integrated into the broader communal landscape. His vision encouraged us to attend the General Assembly this year, and I felt honored to represent Aish among so many leaders from across the Jewish world.
Walking through the sessions and hallways, I reconnected with individuals I had met throughout my career. I witnessed the profound Kiddush Hashem of JFNA Chair of the Board of Trustees Gary Torgow, whose leadership and eloquence uplifted the entire gathering. I have known Gary since my earliest days in Detroit, and seeing him rise to this position of responsibility filled me with admiration. I attended the conference together with our newly appointed Executive Vice President, Rabbi Mayer May. It was a pleasure introducing him to partners, supporters, and visionaries who have shaped the global Jewish landscape.
Our conversations with industry leaders like Giles Gade of Cross River Bank and Azi Mandel of Treetop Companies were particularly meaningful. We also met with the Executive Director of the Mayberg Foundation, Todd Sukol, who has been an inspiration both in person and through his work for myself and many others in the Jewish world. These individuals exemplify unwavering commitment to the Jewish future, and I often look to them for guidance as we strive to transform the world. Sharing these discussions with Rabbi May reinforced for both of us how much wisdom exists within our extended network of friends and supporters.
Near the end of the week, we traveled to Atlanta to meet with Mr Jake Aronoff. Jake has played a central role in the leadership of AISH for many years as a member of the Executive Board. He was among the select group responsible for hiring me, and he has served as one of my most trusted mentors. Sitting together with him and Rabbi May felt almost surreal. Rabbi May was a mentor early in my career, and Jake has been a mentor throughout my time at AISH. Watching these two giants speak together about the history of AISH, our achievements, and the road ahead was profoundly moving. Their insights helped crystallize how far we have come and how much potential lies before us.
From Atlanta, I flew directly back to New York and immediately drove to the Torah and Mesorah Convention. The week had begun at the General Assembly with thousands of Jews committed to communal life. It concluded at one of the largest gatherings of educators and school leaders in the Jewish world. Arriving close to midnight, I walked into a room buzzing with educators engaged in deep conversations, sharing ideas, and supporting one another. The atmosphere was electric. Thousands of dedicated individuals from across the globe were present. Heads of school, executive directors, and lay leaders all gathered to strengthen Jewish education.
I was honored to deliver a talk to executive directors who had traveled from across North America and beyond. Standing before that group, I felt the weight and the privilege of our shared mission. These are the people who ensure that Jewish schools remain vibrant, strong, and committed to their sacred calling.
Throughout these travels, I could not ignore the painful reality that antisemitism continues to intensify. Only yesterday, outside the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, protesters gathered with chants that expressed an unmistakable desire for our destruction. These moments take a toll on all of us. They test our patience and our strength.
I was reminded, however, that our community is far more powerful than the voices that seek to weaken us. The young women at our reunion, the mothers seeking deeper Torah learning, the leaders at the General Assembly, and the educators at Torah and Mesorah all testify to the unwavering resilience of the Jewish people. Despite the hatred we face, despite the attempts of hostile nations to attack Israel during the past two years, despite those who weaponize democratic structures to demonize us, the Jewish people endure with courage and dignity.
We remain strong. We remain united. We remain eternal. The Almighty has chosen us for a purpose, and our commitment to that purpose has never wavered.
AISH will continue to lead, to inspire, and to strengthen Jews everywhere. Our future is bright. Our responsibility is great. Our faith is unshakable.
