From the CEO

From the desk of Rabbi Steven Burg, AISH CEO

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.

Rabbi Burg

Road to Success

“With AISHVision 2030, I know exactly where you are headed. Will you get there? I don’t know for sure but given Aish’s track record, I would certainly not bet against it.” In fact, he added, “I am clearly betting on your success.”

Rabbi Burg

Female Empowerment

We must engage Jewish women all around the world. Women are and have always been key to the success of the Jewish nation.

Rabbi Burg

One Nation

We must reach out to every Jew around the world and make sure they know that we are one family and we will always be there for each other.

Rabbi Burg

Negative Feedback is Positive

One of the questions I constantly get asked as I travel around the world is: “Are things really as good at Aish as your emails seem?”

Rabbi Burg

The Power of Shabbos

As the second mourning period of thirty days comes to a close, I want to share a glimpse of my father with all of you.

Rabbi Burg

My Father

As the second mourning period of thirty days comes to a close, I want to share a glimpse of my father with all of you.

Rabbi Burg

Thank You

Message from the Desk of Rabbi Steven Burg Dear Aish Family, Thank you, thank you,

Rabbi Burg

Going the Extra Mile

Message from the Desk of Rabbi Steven Burg Dear Aish Family, One of the tenets

Rabbi Burg

Thank You to the Mother of Torah Giants

Each and every week for the last six years I pour my heart and soul into letting all of you know what is going on at Aish. I try to give you a window into my travels and the incredible things I see among the Jewish people. There is nothing more enjoyable for me than to receive emails back from Jews around the world commenting on my weekly email.

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.

Three Days in Jerusalem. Thousands of Years of Jewish History.

Three Days in Jerusalem. Thousands of Years of...

For thousands of years, Jews dreamed of returning to Jerusalem. They prayed for the day when Jewish life would once…
Three Years Later, I Watched Them Dance

Three Years Later, I Watched Them Dance

Three years ago, our enemies gave us one of the darkest days in Jewish history. Three years later, I watched…
Jerusalem Is Alive Again

Jerusalem Is Alive Again

After three years of war, loss, hostages, uncertainty, and fighting on multiple fronts, this Sukkot feels different. Millions of Jews…
505 Days. 625 Days. 417 Days. Then We Danced

505 Days. 625 Days. 417 Days. Then We...

I met Ben on Yom Kippur when he joined us at Aish. He told me that one of the things…
When We Fall, We Get Back Up

When We Fall, We Get Back Up

I found myself in Monsey for Shabbos, where I was speaking at a local shul. At kiddush, I happened to…
Love Should Never Wait

Love Should Never Wait

We do not need a world without disagreement. We need a world in which disagreement is surrounded by love. This…
The Medium Changes. The Wisdom Does Not.

The Medium Changes. The Wisdom Does Not.

Friday night, I walked into a packed room filled with students beginning the new year in our Eber Family Gesher…
When Stones Have Hearts

When Stones Have Hearts

As we inch closer to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Aish Jerusalem is alive. The Yeshiva is packed and overflowing.…
Love Never Gives Up

Love Never Gives Up

Israel is starting to fill up again as students arrive for the new year. At Aish, the energy is incredible.…
What a Barn, a Torah, and Camp Simcha Taught Me About the Jewish People

What a Barn, a Torah, and Camp Simcha...

As many of you know, Aish merged with Partners in Torah because we believed that together we could create something…
Torah Never Takes a Vacation

Torah Never Takes a Vacation

As many of you know, Aish merged with Partners in Torah because we believed that together we could create something…
What Our Children Need Most

What Our Children Need Most

As many of you know, Aish merged with Partners in Torah because we believed that together we could create something…
What Two Thousand Years of Jewish History Has Taught Me

What Two Thousand Years of Jewish History Has...

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