I want to thank so many of you from across the globe who reached out after the premiere of our documentary, ‘After October’ on Tisha B’Av, this past Sunday. As we approach nearly two years since the horrific war started by our evil enemies in Gaza, it’s easy for the world to move on. However, we can never move on until all our brothers and sisters are home. Jamie Geller, our incredible Global Spokesperson and Chief Media and Communications Officer, did a powerful job engaging with the family members of fallen hero soldiers, hostages and victims of terror, and ensuring we never forget their pain. Our hearts are with them.
There are two truths I always come back to. First, Jews are not just a religion or nation, we are a family. Families never abandon each other, especially not in moments of grief and heartbreak. Second, there is nothing stronger in the world than the broken heart of a Jew. Even as our hearts ache, they continue to beat with unmatched strength and move us forward.
Ten years ago, I saw something unique in AISH, a movement of vision and courage. I’m reminded of this especially during Tu B’Av, which falls six days after Tisha B’Av. The 15th of Av was once a day in ancient Israel dedicated to matchmaking and love. Today, AISH is continuing that tradition on a global scale.
Years ago, we had the honor of hosting Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his wife at AISH. Later that evening, I joined the First Lady and her team at the King David Hotel. While we were chatting, we noticed a young couple walking by, clearly on a date. I explained they were on a shidduch, a traditional Jewish matchmaking date. When I mentioned the word “matchmaker,” the First Lady lit up and began singing “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof. The entire Texas delegation joined her in singing. Hopefully, the couple was far enough away not to notice the serenade!
The power of matchmaking is universally understood. Yet finding a soulmate is not always easy. Whether someone is 22 and single, divorced with children, or widowed, the process can be difficult and lonely. That’s why AISH stepped in. Back in the 1990s, Rabbi Yaakov Dayo zt”l, an incredibly creative soul and a convert to Judaism, led AISH Los Angeles with a spark that changed the world. He pioneered a new approach to matchmaking called ‘speed dating’.
It’s important to remember that the AISH Los Angeles branch has always been a beacon of innovation. Even today, under the exceptional leadership of Rabbi Aryeh Markman, they continue to inspire with cutting-edge initiatives like the upcoming Jewish American Summit. Jamie Geller and I are honored to participate this September, and I encourage everyone to learn more at jewishamericansummit.com. It’s yet another example of how AISH tackles the challenges facing the Jewish world with bold, creative action.
When speed dating first launched, many in the Orthodox world were unsure how to receive it. Some criticized the concept. Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l, however, stood behind it without hesitation. AISH has always led with courage when it comes to building Jewish families. The term ‘speed dating’ was even originally trademarked by AISH. Then something remarkable occurred. The idea spread throughout the world. People of all backgrounds, not just Jews, began adopting it. Professional circles, universities, and communities around the globe embraced the model and made it their own. This global adoption makes us proud. It’s the very definition of a movement. A concept born at AISH grew beyond us and impacted countless lives across the planet.
Today, we are reclaiming that legacy in a powerful way. Our merger with Partners in Torah, inspired by the vision of our friend David Magerman, has paved the way for an international initiative unlike anything we’ve seen before. Interestingly enough, after Rabbi Deyo left AISH Los Angeles, he became the Director of Partners in Torah for several years.
Last year, under the leadership of Tehilla Friedland, COO of Partners in Torah, we launched a virtual speed-dating event in partnership with CoronaCrush, DateNight.AI, and over 30 Jewish organizations around the world. More than 6,500 Jews participated. Over 40 percent went on a second date. Many meaningful relationships and even a few weddings resulted in that short time. This is not only matchmaking, this is Jewish continuity in action.
This year, we are aiming even higher. Our Chief Communications Officer and Global Spokesperson Jamie Geller is hosting the largest Jewish online speed dating event ever. Our target is 10,000 Jewish singles, ages 18 and up, from every continent and every Jewish background. Jamie will provide her very own Jewish-wisdom-dating-tips at the beginning of the event. We have made accommodations for everyone, including singles, divorcees, widows, and kohanim. This massive global project is powered by dedicated partners. CoronaCrush provides the virtual platform. DateNight.AI delivers smart, AI-powered matching. More than 30 dynamic organizations are joining forces to make this the most inclusive matchmaking event in Jewish history.
As I often tell Bob and Michelle Diener, who donated the beautiful Diener Terrace at the Dan Family Aish World Center overlooking the Western Wall, it’s the most romantic spot in Israel. So many young people get engaged there, and for anyone who finds their match through this program, I warmly invite any of those couples to complete your journey by using that sacred and special space.
At the core of this success is Tehilla, a visionary and deeply committed leader who saw the potential in this effort and helped bring it to life. Her pitch to the AISH staff following the merger made it clear that this was a program we needed to champion. Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, CEO of Partners in Torah, has built a phenomenal team that consistently brings creative and inspired ideas to AISH’s global mission. This is why we came together. This is what growth looks like.
All of this reflects our deepest values at AISH. Wisdom is the foundation, because everything must be filtered through the lens of Jewish wisdom. Jewish homes are the very vessels through which Torah is preserved and passed forward. Love is at the heart of this project, because we believe the world needs more of it. There is no greater expression of love than helping two Jews find one another and build a life together. And perhaps most of all, responsibility drives our work. If we truly believe we are one Jewish family, we must take responsibility for every son and daughter. Many families are deeply invested in helping their own children find matches. That same care and concern must extend to all of Klal Yisrael. Every single Jew deserves to be seen and supported.
This initiative is also a resounding response to October 7th. Those who sought to destroy Jewish families failed. The terrorists brought pain and devastation. Our answer is to build more families. Our answer is to raise our hearts in love, not lower them in fear. Our answer is to grow, to connect, and to strengthen our people for generations to come. That is what it means to be part of the Jewish people. That is what it means to be part of AISH.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Please, take this message and share it with someone you love. If you know someone single, send it to them. Let’s help thousands of Jewish souls find one another and build the future together. With the help of God, may we celebrate many weddings in the year ahead.
