From the CEO

From the desk of Rabbi Steven Burg, AISH CEO

Rabbi Burg

The Real Cleveland Guardians

I spent a few days earlier this week in Cleveland. In the 90’s, I spent a tremendous amount of time in Cleveland as I worked with Jewish teens in the Midwest regional area. As my travels played out in the past decade, I just never made it back to my old stomping grounds.

Rabbi Burg

Dinner in East Hampton

As an organization that has existed for over 45 years, Aish has impacted millions of Jews. In the course of any given week, I meet so many folks who tell me how Aish has genuinely made a difference in their lives and those of their families.

Rabbi Burg

A Special Shabbos at Camp Kaylie

As an organization that has existed for over 45 years, Aish has impacted millions of Jews. In the course of any given week, I meet so many folks who tell me how Aish has genuinely made a difference in their lives and those of their families.

Rabbi Burg

Love From Israel

Much love from Israel. Although I am working at Aish, most of the country is on vacation. It is fascinating to see the hotels that are usually packed with tourists filled with Israelis who have chosen not to travel abroad this summer due to Covid-19.

Rabbi Burg

The UN to the Jewish People

Aish positioned itself at the planetary wellspring of spirituality by design. Our job is to facilitate inspiration to all.

Rabbi Burg

Keeping the Flame Alive

The week leading up to the day of Tisha B’Av is always the saddest time in the Jewish calendar. It marks the commemorative date that both Jewish Temples were destroyed two thousand years ago.

Rabbi Burg

Journey of a Lifetime

It is always amazing how quickly time flies. This past week marked six years since I started working at Aish.

Rabbi Burg

Progress in Aish Buenos Aires

I have had many conversations with members of the Aish family around the world about their experiences of the trauma of Covid-19.

Rabbi Burg

All Hands on Deck

A busy week in Jerusalem, including the Dan Family Aish World Center, and visiting with students, families, and political friends.

Rabbi Burg

You Must Lead

Aish must teach, promote, instruct, convey, inculcate and engrave on every Jew’s heart the concept of responsibility. My friends, don’t wait for others to lead. You are all leaders.

Rabbi Burg

Jews in Trouble

Although the terrorist missiles have ceased to drop in Israel, the bombs of antisemitism have started to explode around the world.

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…
Reclaiming Our Maccabee Strength

Reclaiming Our Maccabee Strength

As Hanukkah approaches this Sunday night, I find myself entering another round of conversations with the media, both Jewish and…
What Happens When Mothers Come to Learn in Jerusalem

What Happens When Mothers Come to Learn in...

This past week, we experienced one of our most innovative programs and I was blessed to participate in it. The…
Carrying the Destiny of Israel Together

Carrying the Destiny of Israel Together

The week began with conversations with leaders of the Hesder community, of which AISH is a proud member. It continued…
I Saw Our Women Rise, I Saw Our Community United, and I Left Filled With Hope for a Strong Jewish Future

I Saw Our Women Rise, I Saw Our...

My journey began last Friday night in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where I had the great honor of attending an alumni…
A crisis of love that no one is discussing

A crisis of love that no one is...

I encourage every one of you to find a Jew you do not know and invite them for Shabbos. The…
Welcome Rabbi Meyer May to the Aish Family

Welcome Rabbi Meyer May to the Aish Family

One of the amazing things about Rabbi May is that he truly espouses all three of the core values of…
Aish Ha’am: One People. One Mission. One Future.

Aish Ha’am: One People. One Mission. One Future.

This week, a dream became reality as I had the honor of leading our Aish Ha’am delegation to Jerusalem. It…
This Is Why I Still Believe in Us

This Is Why I Still Believe in Us

After landing in New York on my way back from Israel, I joined an event organized by Rabbi Saj Freiberg…
Sitting in the Knesset, Witnessing History Unfold

Sitting in the Knesset, Witnessing History Unfold

As an American citizen and a proud Jew, I love both the United States and Israel. Watching these two nations…
They’re Coming Home

They’re Coming Home

Shehechiyanu v’kiyemanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh is such a beautiful blessing that we say around the holiday time, thanking God for…