The dictionary defines a “Hero” as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. I have found that the Jewish people are a Nation of heroes. No people has historically gone through more challenges than we have. Yet, we have always remained strong through any adversity that the world has showered upon us. Still, as much as we all have to work together there are those in our community who stand out.
I was honored to attend the going away party for my good friend, UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan. Gilad is someone who for the last four years has gone to work in one of the most antisemitic environments imaginable. Every day brings with it a new coalition of countries trying to delegitimize Israel and the Jewish people. He has served with grace and courage through it all.
I was tremendously honored that Aish was featured multiple times in his farewell video. From the many visits when we hosted UN ambassadors at the Dan Family Aish World Center, to the annual Passover Seder at the UN, Aish has played a crucial role in helping the Israeli delegation to the UN to succeed in their mission. We will miss Gilad’s energy in New York but we are excited to see what comes next for this hero.
For most of us the summer is down time when we get a chance to relax and recharge. That is not the approach we take at Aish. For us, the summer is the best time to train and get ready for the upcoming year. One of our heroes who has been teaching at Aish for 16 years is Rabbi Nachman Elsant. Rabbi Elsant teaches the first class that our students take when they are ready to transition to learning Talmud. He also serves as the Associate Director of the Yeshiva. He really is one of the great educators at Aish.
After the passing of Aish founder and hero Rav Noach Weinberg zt’l 15 years ago, former Aish CEO Rabbi Eric Coopersmith asked Rabbi Elsant to put together the Rav Noach Weinberg Leadership initiative to train our students how to become leaders like Rabbi Weinberg. This past year, Rabbi Elsant had the idea to revive that program using the curriculum he developed and the Aish Ambassadors Leadership Program was born.
For the past two months, our students have been hard at work. The program has contained the following modules:
- Special meetings with Aish Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yitzchak Berkovits on the traits of leadership
- Incentivized research projects and presentations
- Learning and practicing how to teach Discovery and Aish core classes
- Aish Shark Tank competition to create and present original ideas to change the Jewish world
- Leadership Skills Classes – Public Speaking, Persuasion Skills
- Active leadership and outreach opportunities
- Outreach Training – how to be successful in outreach
At the end of the program every participant will receive a Leadership Certificate and be ready to practice their skills in the greater Jewish world. One of my favorite programs is the pairing up of more senior students with those who have just joined Aish. Together they are coming up with ideas to change the world.
In a few short days we will commemorate Tisha B’Av. This is the day that both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. All the calamities that have befallen the Jewish people are remembered on this day. We have recognized that October 7th is a day that must join this auspicious list. Our brilliant and charismatic CMO Jamie Geller has traveled throughout Israel interviewing heroes and the families of heroes to help us all remember our brothers and sisters whose lives were tragically cut short by our enemies. I highly recommend watching this riveting and inspirational film which we have made available for free to all those registering at this link aish.com/9av.
We are a Nation of heroes. From Ambassador Gilad Erdan to the Aish students we all must step forward and work together to strengthen our Nation. I was so proud recently when Aish Alum Shabbos Kestenbaum spoke at the Republican National Convention about the antisemitism on Harvard׳s campus. Shabbos and so many brave young Jews have taken a stand on campus to fight for our Nation. We must all fight for our Nation. We must fight for each other.
I want to leave you all with something that has been on my mind recently. So many of us are watching the news with tremendous apprehension. The world is waiting to see whether the despicable enemies of the Jewish people will follow through on their threats to attack Israel. We all must remember that the Almighty is constantly looking out for His children. He will protect us. He will never abandon us. He loves us with the deepest love imaginable. Open up your hearts to Him. Tell Him that you know He will be there for us. We are a Nation of Heroes and we will prevail.
