We are living in historic times for the Jewish people, and I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to each and every one of you. Our annual Causematch fundraiser is in full swing, and it’s because of your generosity that we’ve been able to reach over 4 million people online in just the past five years. (Yes, you read that right!) If you haven’t yet had the chance to support this critical campaign, now is the time. Click here to donate.
I also want to give a huge shoutout to our students who have stepped up in a major way to help drive this effort forward. They are the future of the Jewish people and every day they prove their leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
This past week, I’ve been on the road screening Aish Ha’am’s newest film, “Frontline Warriors.” From 42nd Street in Manhattan to Miami Beach, the response has been nothing short of overwhelming. At every stop, university students have shared their firsthand experiences of being on the frontlines of the battle for Jewish identity. It’s chilling to hear their stories and see how they align with the three heroes of our film. This is not just a movie, it’s a movement.
I’m excited to spend Shabbat with the Boca Jewish Center, one of the fastest-growing congregations in North America. Their dynamic leader, Rabbi Yaakov Gibber, was once the head of outreach at the Dan Family Aish World Center, where he ran the legendary Aish Essentials program. On Saturday night, we’ll be screening “Frontline Warriors” for the congregation, thanks to the efforts of Aish Ha’am candidate Jerry Abramson.
And here’s the big news: Starting next week, the film will be available online. I truly believe this is a must-see for every Jew who wants to understand the battles our young people are facing on campus today.
Almost a year ago, I had dinner in Jerusalem with my close friend and partner David Magerman. Over a deep conversation about the future of Jewish education, he brought up Partners in Torah (PIT). David shared how his own Jewish journey was shaped by PIT and suggested that Aish and PIT were a natural fit.
For those who don’t know, PIT is one of the most impactful Jewish educational organizations, connecting Jews through one-on-one learning partnerships for over 32 years. Founded by the indefatigable Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, PIT has changed countless lives by making Torah study accessible, personal, and meaningful.
I’ve always been cautious about mergers; getting two organizations to align is no small feat. But this was different. This was seemingly ordained from Above.
Fast forward a year, and I am beyond proud to announce that Aish and Partners in Torah are joining forces! This is a game-changer for Jewish education, combining the reach and innovation of Aish with the powerful one-on-one mentorship of PIT.
So how did we manage to pull this off? Two key factors made this historic partnership possible:
Firstly and perhaps most importantly, both Aish and PIT share the same three core values: Taking responsibility for the Jewish people, making Jewish wisdom accessible, and embracing every Jew with love. Rabbi Gewirtz, along with PIT’s incredible COO Tehilla Friedland, embodies these values in a way that is simply inspiring. They are truly living the mission.
Secondly and crucially, we are a team without egos. Led by our own COO Hillel Scheinfeld, the Aish and PIT staff asked one simple question: Is this good for the Jewish people? Once the answer was a resounding YES, we moved forward with speed and precision. This wasn’t about titles, egos, or bureaucracy; it was about changing lives.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to David and Debra Magerman for their unwavering guidance and support. Thank you to our Vaad and executive board for their enthusiastic backing. Thank you to Rabbi Gewirtz and his incredible team for trusting us to walk this path together. Thank you to our Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits, for his passionate encouragement, and to Rabbi Dovid Rosman, who has been the driving force behind making this merger a success. A very special thank you to all of you, the Aish and PIT communities, who have cheered this union on.
Most of all, we thank the Almighty, who gives us the wisdom, strength, and kindness to serve Him every day. Together, Aish and PIT will bring Jewish wisdom to every Jew. And when we do that, we will truly be a light unto the nations. Let’s keep building together!
