From the CEO

From the desk of Rabbi Steven Burg, AISH CEO

Rabbi Burg

The Power of Lifecycle Events

For a Jewish wedding everyone was able to take a break from political battles to celebrate the continuity of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Burg

Laying Roots in NYC

Aish Israel has just moved into new headquarters in Tel Aviv! So many of the participants in our affiliated programs including Mothers with Meaning (MWM) and the Triumph Leadership Initiative (TLi) live in the greater Tel Aviv area, that we need a permanent location.

Rabbi Burg

Aish Expands in Tel Aviv

Aish Israel has just moved into new headquarters in Tel Aviv! So many of the participants in our affiliated programs including Mothers with Meaning (MWM) and the Triumph Leadership Initiative (TLi) live in the greater Tel Aviv area, that we need a permanent location.

Rabbi Burg

Meet Me in St. Louis

To receive a message from the son of the individual who got Aish started in the United States over 40 years ago, sharing that he thinks our vision is the most exciting approach he’s heard in over 30 years, was an affirmation of everything towards which we are working.

Rabbi Burg

We Are Insane

“Don’t misunderstand me. I think it’s great that you’re insane. Only Aish can be so insane to think they can go bring 20% of the world Jewish population to Jewish wisdom. The Jewish world needs to think big. We need more insane thinking.”

Rabbi Burg

Reunion in Heaven

Gratefully our guests have begun to return to Israel and to the Dan Family Aish World Center. In the coming days we will be officially reopening the Dan Family Aish World Center to the public… I want to share some of the changes going forward.

Rabbi Burg

Turning Darkness into Light

Gratefully our guests have begun to return to Israel and to the Dan Family Aish World Center. In the coming days we will be officially reopening the Dan Family Aish World Center to the public… I want to share some of the changes going forward.

Rabbi Burg

A Wrong Turn From Heaven

Gratefully our guests have begun to return to Israel and to the Dan Family Aish World Center. In the coming days we will be officially reopening the Dan Family Aish World Center to the public… I want to share some of the changes going forward.

Rabbi Burg

Embassy of the Jewish People

Gratefully our guests have begun to return to Israel and to the Dan Family Aish World Center. In the coming days we will be officially reopening the Dan Family Aish World Center to the public… I want to share some of the changes going forward.

Rabbi Burg

Passover Traditions from the Holocaust to the UN

In every generation they try to snuff out the love in our hearts. In every generation they hunt us and hurt us. In every generation the Jewish people emerge stronger. In every generation the Jewish Nation grows stronger physically and spiritually.

Rabbi Burg

Uniting Nations

Yesterday afternoon, over 50 Ambassadors attended our Seder. It was truly one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. Listening to the different Ambassadors read from the Haggadah was truly a unique experience. At one point Rabbi Goldwicht asked us all to join hands and sing the traditional song of Dayenu together. Everyone swayed and joined together. It was a true moment of unity.

Rabbi Burg

Who is Responsible?

The bottom line is that as Jews we always want to do the right thing. Unfortunately, life gets in the way and we get distracted. Let us learn from the Jews of Cleveland.

Rabbi Burg

The Rabbis’ Rabbi

How does a Rabbi with no official role or title become the Rabbinic leader of a generation?

Rabbi Burg

Dancing with the Deputy Mayor

Truly, there is no better experience than being in Jerusalem and studying Torah at Aish. I would like to invite you all to come spend time with us.

Rabbi Burg

Lead by Example

He was there to discuss how to become a leader. I told him that at Aish our philosophy revolves around taking responsibility to solve issues facing the Jewish people.

Rabbi Burg

Our Family is in Danger

What I would like to share with you is why I joined Aish. This was the one organization that I had been to in my long career where all day and night they thought long and hard about how to help their brothers and sisters.

Rabbi Burg

Why Am I Here?

What I would like to share with you is why I joined Aish. This was the one organization that I had been to in my long career where all day and night they thought long and hard about how to help their brothers and sisters.

Rabbi Burg

Teamwork makes the Dream Work

This is why I am able to travel as much as I do and spend time with all of you. This is the very definition of teamwork. To paraphrase John Maxwell – “Teamwork makes the dream work,” but to keep a vision from becoming a nightmare, a leader must have a great team to match his big dreams.

Rabbi Burg

Embassy of the Jewish People

The only way Aish will be successful is if we fully support and work to connect the Jews we interact with to the greater Jewish community. We must be loud and clear that we are all in this together. We must all work together.

Rabbi Burg

Databases can be exciting

To help make our Jewish brothers and sisters aware that by attending a Jewish wisdom class online they can become a better spouse, parent, friend, etc. This all starts with data. I think this explains why Aish is such a special place. We can take something as mundane as a database and make it holy!

Rabbi Burg

The Most Meaningful Prayer Service

We decided to shift our International Meetings to New York. What an amazing few days it has been! We spent nearly the entire first day reviewing AISHVision 2030. Aish Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits spoke about the origins of the plan and he described in intricate detail how we arrived at our ten-year vision.

Rabbi Burg

Aish Takes Manhattan

We decided to shift our International Meetings to New York. What an amazing few days it has been! We spent nearly the entire first day reviewing AISHVision 2030. Aish Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits spoke about the origins of the plan and he described in intricate detail how we arrived at our ten-year vision.

Rabbi Burg

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

I now realize that this was Rabbi Weinberg’s greatest talent. He had a special ability to inspire donors to not just give money but to rally around the cause of inspiring the next generation of Jews. Mr. Dan and his close friend former Aish International President Harvey Hecker zt”l partnered with Rabbi Weinberg to start a movement which is still growing at a rapid pace.

Rabbi Burg

Family Ties

The world doesn’t really understand why the Jewish Nation is indestructible and invincible. It is because of one word. Family.

Rabbi Burg

Aish at Israel’s Parliament

This was Rabbi Weinberg’s message at the Knesset. If we really want to make an impact on Jews around the world then let us come together to study timeless Jewish wisdom. The result will be a united, strong Jewish Nation. Let us hope and pray that our friends in the Knesset heard our message loud and clear.

Rabbi Burg

Another Fallen Angel

As we were preparing for the wedding of one of our most popular students, Will Wolfowich, we received the heartbreaking news that one of our students, Joshua Carr a’h, suddenly passed away.

Rabbi Burg

Be a Maccabee

We must serve as a beacon of light and goodness for our greater Jewish family. We must be the Maccabees of today and help reconnect with our fellow Jews.

Rabbi Burg

A Fallen Angel

Let us learn from his sacrifice to increase our love for each other and Israel. Let our voices be heard loud and clear that Jews will not be intimidated into leaving Israel.

Rabbi Burg

Come Home

Israel is finally open for all to come and we all need to return home.

We Are Better Together

We Are Better Together

Our sages teach us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of sinas chinam, baseless hatred and division among Jews.…
The Women Building the Jewish Future

The Women Building the Jewish Future

One of the accomplishments that means the most to me during my eleven years as CEO has been watching Aish…
Why Aish Shows Up

Why Aish Shows Up

My week began at the Jewish Agency Board of Governors meetings in Tel Aviv, where I joined Jewish leaders from…
The Quiet Secret of Aish

The Quiet Secret of Aish

Everywhere I travel, regardless of the community or denomination, someone inevitably pulls me aside to share a story about how…
When Women Learn, the Jewish Future Grows Stronger

When Women Learn, the Jewish Future Grows Stronger

This week, we celebrated two graduations in the Erber Family Gesher programs. On Sunday evening, we held our banquet for…
There Is A God Who Loves You

There Is A God Who Loves You

This week, we celebrated two graduations in the Erber Family Gesher programs. On Sunday evening, we held our banquet for…
150 Jews Sang in Auschwitz

150 Jews Sang in Auschwitz

Rabbi Elliott Mathias, Rabbi Daniel Rowe, and Rabbi Isaac Oziel led AISH’s Living Legacy Experience through Poland, bringing participants to…
We Cannot Remain Silent

We Cannot Remain Silent

Over the past several months, Aish has also been facing significant financial pressures due to the strength of the shekel…
The Night We Meet God

The Night We Meet God

On Shavuos night, Jews across the world stay awake learning Torah, some throughout the entire night until sunrise. Here at…
Tap Someone In This Shabbos

Tap Someone In This Shabbos

I recently saw an online commentator reminiscing about the old days when children played in the streets, and neighbors knew…
I Have Never Felt More Loved

I Have Never Felt More Loved

I spoke this week with my dear friend Rabbi Warren Goldstein, who founded the Shabbat Project and has inspired so…
The Truth Behind the Optimism

The Truth Behind the Optimism

This week, I had the privilege of attending the JEIC conference in Atlanta. It is one of the most inspiring…
Our Greatest Threat Is Not What You Think

Our Greatest Threat Is Not What You Think

For eleven years, I have made it a priority to be in Israel for Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut. Those…
Never Again Means Now

Never Again Means Now

This week, as I send greetings from Jerusalem, I found myself thinking deeply about Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.…
Now We Have to Be the Story

Now We Have to Be the Story

Over Pesach, I had the privilege of speaking with so many people, and I kept hearing the same thing. The…
Tonight We Remember Who We Are

Tonight We Remember Who We Are

The message of Pesach is not theoretical. It is the story of a people who stood up to tyranny, who…
The Ending Is Already Written

The Ending Is Already Written

Missiles over Israel. Rising antisemitism across the world. A constant awareness that there are those who seek our destruction. The…
Between Purim and Passover… Something Is Happening to Our People

Between Purim and Passover… Something Is Happening to...

Three weeks into this current escalation, Jewish hearts are pulled in many directions. Fear, strength, exhaustion, pride, unity, and longing…
The Room in Jerusalem Was On Fire

The Room in Jerusalem Was On Fire

Earlier in the week, we ran our annual campaign called “All In for Aish.” For the past several years, this…
A Personal Note I Almost Didn’t Write

A Personal Note I Almost Didn’t Write

This week, the world witnessed a powerful moment. Israel and the United States stood together and moved decisively against a…
This Is Not a Time to Bow

This Is Not a Time to Bow

I was on my way to Israel this past Sunday, and throughout Shabbos, I was with many dear friends of…
Our Next Test Is Each Other

Our Next Test Is Each Other

This week also included a meaningful and important meeting that connects directly to these themes of unity, relationship, and standing…
A Defining Moment for Aish and the Jewish Future

A Defining Moment for Aish and the Jewish...

This past week was truly exceptional. I feel deeply blessed to have been with so many of you at the…
Defending Civilization Begins With Knowledge

Defending Civilization Begins With Knowledge

I am incredibly energized by where Aish is heading. The work being done with AI, online learning, and social media…
One Family, One Moment, One People

One Family, One Moment, One People

Through the Erber family, who dedicated a Torah in Ran’s memory this past Sukkot, I had the privilege of getting…
Tel Aviv is Searching, and AISH is Responding

Tel Aviv is Searching, and AISH is Responding

This week, three of our incredible scholars, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen, Rabbi MZ Dubov, and Rabbi Mathias, traveled to Tel…
From Jerusalem to Miami: Aish at a Turning Point

From Jerusalem to Miami: Aish at a Turning...

Cross River dedicated the Essentials wing of our new women’s building. Cross River is an institution rooted in powerful values.…
From Latin America to Somaliland, Aish at Work Across the World

From Latin America to Somaliland, Aish at Work...

This week was filled to the brim with activity. Every single day, I met with elected officials and leaders. I…
Hatred Does Not Define the Jewish People

Hatred Does Not Define the Jewish People

This week, we hosted two dozen soldiers from the elite units of the newly formed Chashmonaim Brigade who made a…
From Bondi Beach to the White House

From Bondi Beach to the White House

As we mourned the souls murdered at Bondi Beach, I found myself once again speaking on news programs as a…