It’s been a whirlwind week, with stops across multiple countries and countless meaningful encounters. But nothing, nothing can compare to the personal milestone I am humbled and overjoyed to share with you.
As my plane was taxiing down the runway in Mexico City, heading toward the West Coast, I received the call that would change my life. My daughter let me know that she had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl, our very first grandchild. Rachel and I are beyond grateful to Hashem for this immense blessing.
With all that I’ve been fortunate to experience in my life, this moment, holding the next generation in my hands, feels like the most profound connection yet to the future of the Jewish people. It is with deep emotion that we join the sacred club of grandparents, along with my machatunim, Jonathan and Devorah Schloss. Thank you for your kind wishes to us and to the proud new parents, Eli and Devorah (Burg) Schloss. More importantly, our Aish family just grew by one beautiful soul.
In the midst of this simcha, I was privileged to represent Aish at several significant gatherings. A number of years ago, I joined a unique YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) chapter called Mosaic, an international network of pro-Israel business leaders. What began as a visionary idea has become the second-largest YPO chapter globally, and many of its members have become dear friends. My close friend Boaz Gilad chaired this event and recently invited me to join his podcast to discuss Aish’s remarkable transformation. I encourage you to give it a listen.
This year, our YPO Mosaic “Wisdom Weekend” took place in London. It was a powerful experience, especially as our hotel stood beside the Marble Arch Synagogue—home to the late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt”l. I was deeply honored when Rabbi Daniel Epstein, the dynamic spiritual leader of the community, asked me to give the Shabbat sermon.
As I stood at the very pulpit once occupied by Rabbi Sacks, I dedicated my remarks to the memory of Staff Sergeant Yoni Golan, HY”D, who fell heroically in defense of the Jewish Nation on October 7. His parents were at the congregation that morning to speak about their holy son after services. At the end of the sermon I shared a story about one of my personal heroes, Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani, whose tank unit held the line during the Yom Kippur War.
After davening, I approached Yoni’s father, Ran. With tears in his eyes, he thanked me for the story. As Ran was a pilot in the Israeli Air Force, Yoni had accompanied him many times to his base. It was assumed that Yoni would follow Ran into the airforce. It was only after Yoni met General Kahalani that he chose the tank corps over the air force. Ran told me that he hadn’t stepped into a synagogue in years, but hearing that story about his son’s hero and mentor made him feel he was exactly where he needed to be. I looked at him and said the only words that felt true: the Almighty runs the world. We then embraced.
From London, I traveled to Mexico City to spend time with one of Aish’s most vibrant communities. Aish Mexico was founded shortly after the passing of our beloved Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l, and is a shining example of his legacy in action. Under the leadership of Rabbi Abraham Cohen, the branch is flourishing. At a lunch with the incoming board, joined by our devoted founders Moises Rabinovitch and Dr. Sergio Kershenovich, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen shared words that inspired us all. We were also honored to have Rabbi and Rebetzin Jaim Leizorek with us.
What moved me most was seeing Moises and Sergio pass the leadership baton to the next generation, focusing now on building a beautiful new Aish center in Mexico City. It’s rare to see leaders give so selflessly, expecting nothing in return, only the joy of building the future. I can’t wait for all of you to join me at the celebration of this new Aish building in Mexico.
That evening, I joined a powerful celebration honoring the young men of the Mexico Kollelim. There are more Kollel students per capita than any other city in the world. Thousands gathered. Rabbi Aaron Kotler, former Aish educator and CEO Emeritus of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, spoke with incredible passion. He described what was happening Above as this holy gathering unfolded below, Heaven rejoicing in the growth of Torah and the Jewish people.
From there, I flew to the West Coast with our Global Ambassador Jamie Geller and Executive Director Rabbi Ben Gonsher for a packed series of meetings. We then returned to the East Coast for the beautiful wedding of Ruthi Gerber, daughter of our dear friends Tracy and Sander Gerber, to Yehuda Kernerman. We are thrilled that Ruthi will be teaching at The Suzana and Ivan Kaufman Aish Institute for Women’s Education in Jerusalem next year.
As I reflect on this journey, from London to Mexico City to Los Angeles to New Jersey, one line from Rabbi Kotler keeps echoing in my mind: Heaven is celebrating. I believe that Heaven is also celebrating the constant growth of Aish.
That growth is tangible. We are seeing it in our institutions, in our leadership, in our students, in our families, and now, in our grandchildren.
We’ve come so far in the past 50 years. Together, we are fulfilling Rav Noach’s vision: teaching Responsibility, Wisdom, and Love to millions of Jews around the world. If you believe in those values, I urge you to stand with us. Support our movement. Cast your vote for AISH HA’AM at Aish.com/vote.
May we all continue to bring joy to Heaven and nachas to Klal Yisrael.
