There are so many thoughts and emotions running through my heart this week that it is almost hard to put them into words. First and foremost, I want to send my deepest condolences to an incredible colleague, Rabbi Doron Perez, the worldwide head of the Mizrachi Movement here in Israel. He and his wife, Shelly, are well known throughout the Diaspora for their extraordinary work. They have been waiting since October 7th for the return of their son, Captain Daniel Perez, who was an officer in a tank that tragic day. His body was finally returned, and his funeral this past Wednesday night was one of the most emotional moments many of us have ever experienced. I want to publicly express how much we all look up to their son, Captain Daniel Perez. His memory will be a blessing, and our entire AISH family holds the Perez family in our hearts and prayers.
This past Sunday night, we gathered on the Aish rooftop for a concert that had been arranged well in advance. Our amazing partners, Daniel and Bari Erber, donate a Torah every year, and this one was dedicated to the family of Ron Gvili, an extraordinary hero. On October 7th, Ron was scheduled for shoulder surgery, yet when he heard what was happening, he left the hospital, grabbed his weapon, and went to fight. He was killed in battle, and his body was held hostage. That night, as we stood on the rooftop with the Gvili family, celebrating the completion of this Torah, we knew that within hours, as a peace deal had just been finalized, they would finally learn the fate of their son. It was an emotional moment for everyone there.
Standing on the Aish rooftop, overlooking the Temple Mount, watching this family sing and dance in the face of unimaginable loss, I was reminded once again that the strongest thing in the world is the broken heart of a Jew. Their hearts were shattered, yet they were filled with faith and pride. When Ron’s mother ended her remarks by declaring “Am Yisrael Chai,” we all joined together in that timeless cry. To have that moment occur just before Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the gift of Torah that God gave us to sustain our people, felt deeply symbolic.
A few hours later, I found myself in the Knesset, sitting in the gallery for President Trump’s historic address. Many people have asked what I was feeling that day. As an American citizen and a proud Jew, I love both the United States and Israel. Watching these two nations stand shoulder to shoulder was profoundly moving. Seeing the hostages return home as a result of President Trump’s efforts and the cooperation between these two great democracies filled me with hope and gratitude. As we sat waiting for the speech to begin, everyone in the chamber was glued to their phones, watching the hostages being released. It was a moment that defied description.
What struck me most was how much it felt like witnessing the story of Purim unfold before my eyes. It felt as if the Megillah were being written in real time. The President spoke about the Jewish members of his family and the unbreakable bond between the United States and the State of Israel. He accomplished something that few believed possible. The joy that swept across Israel and the Jewish world as those twenty hostages returned home was overwhelming. Every Jew everywhere was watching those scenes with tears in their eyes.
To have this miracle coincide with Simchat Torah, two years after that dark day, filled our hearts with light. We have said all along that if the hostages are released, we will rejoice, even as we continue to face antisemitism and enormous challenges. We still have bodies to bring home, and the work is not done, but this moment of joy was a precious gift.
As the day came to an end and I stepped out of the Knesset, I felt the weight and wonder of what I had just witnessed. After spending the entire day there, I did a quick interview with the National News Desk to help those back in America understand what it felt like to be sitting in the Knesset at that historic moment. It was important for me to convey the emotions of the day, the tension, the gratitude, and the deep pride that filled every heart in that chamber.
From there, I went on to celebrate Simchat Torah. I walked back to where I was staying, met my family, and we went together to AISH to dance with the Torahs late into the night.
It was especially meaningful to share the evening with my dear friends Suzana and Ivan Kaufman, who had arrived in Israel the night before. They joined us for this remarkable moment and saw firsthand how our people turn pain into purpose. The Kaufmans have been instrumental in helping AISH build a new state-of-the-art 200-bed seminary for young Jewish women. Seeing it for the first time that day, they danced with us and celebrated the incredible resilience of our nation.
That is what AISH has been doing these past two years. We have refused to give in to despair. We have built, taught, and inspired. Every single meal I had over the holiday was shared with different partners and students, and so many of them told me that October 7th was a turning point in their lives. Our enemies thought they could destroy us, but they awakened something instead. Jews who had felt distant from their heritage began to ask, “Why do they hate us? What does it mean to be a Jew?” Many began to learn, to grow, and to reconnect with their roots.
Over these last few years, AISH has truly lived its values. Through Wisdom, we have continued to teach Torah every single day, bringing clarity and purpose to a confused world. Through Love, we have stood strong together, showing that while others may show us hate, we respond by loving each other more deeply than ever before. Through Responsibility, we have taken it upon ourselves to care for one another and to make the world a better place. These values are not just words painted on a wall; they are the essence of who we are. They have guided us through darkness and helped us bring light where it is needed most.
I feel deeply blessed to live as a Jew in this extraordinary moment in history. I feel G-d’s love more than ever, shining upon us and guiding us forward. Our enemies may continue to attack, yet they will never succeed in breaking us. We are G-d’s chosen Nation. We are here to bring light to the world, and we will continue to do so with courage and joy.
We are strong. We are passionate. We are eternal.
