Since October 7, I have become convinced of one thing. The future of the Jewish people will not be built by any one organization. It will be built by people and organizations working together, each contributing its unique strengths to serve Klal Yisrael.
This past week, I had the privilege of seeing that future unfold before my eyes.
The week began at a beautiful Shaare Zedek fundraising event in Deal honoring the Stern family, longtime family friends whose dedication to Israel and the Jewish people is truly inspiring.
From there I traveled to Brooklyn for the engagement celebration of David Milstein and his fiancée, Miriam Feiglin. David is one of our former students, and Miriam is the daughter of Rabbi Mottel and Esther Feiglin, who are Chabad shluchim in Australia. Their engagement was a beautiful reminder that while Aish and Chabad may have different histories and different strengths, we are all part of one Jewish family. Mazel tov to David and Miriam, to David’s parents, Julie Strauss and Mark Levin, and to both families. It was an evening filled with joy, friendship, and optimism.
One conversation from that evening has stayed with me.
I spent time speaking with a young Chabad rabbi who works extensively with teenagers. He said something that was both thoughtful and humble.
“We’re very good at helping young people connect to Judaism,” he told me. “You Aish people are exceptional at getting them excited to learn Torah. How do you do that? How can we work together?”
I loved the question.
We spoke about our different strengths, exchanged phone numbers, and I offered to connect him with our admissions team in Jerusalem.
People often ask me about the difference between Chabad and Aish.
My answer has always been that Chabad has an extraordinary ability to help Jews experience Judaism in a warm, personal, and practical way. They inspire mitzvah observance, create remarkable communities, and welcome every Jew with genuine love.
Aish has always specialized in helping Jews discover the depth, wisdom, and beauty of Torah through serious learning. We help people who may know very little about Judaism build an intellectual foundation that can guide them for a lifetime.
Neither approach is complete on its own. Each movement has something extraordinary to contribute, and when we learn from one another, the entire Jewish people benefit.
That spirit of partnership continued throughout the week.
I spent two days in Chicago at the Shevatim Conference, an extraordinary gathering of Jewish outreach professionals from across North America. In many ways, Shevatim has become the natural successor to AJOP, bringing together organizations united by one mission: helping Jews deepen their connection to their heritage.
Before the conference officially began, the Aish branches gathered to discuss our collective mission, our relationship with Jerusalem, and how we can better serve Jews around the world. It was an honest, thoughtful, and productive conversation.
Once the conference began, I found myself busy from early morning until late at night mentoring leaders, meeting with rabbis, presenting sessions on organizational vision and strategy, and speaking with people who are doing extraordinary work throughout the Jewish world.
The greatest encouragement for me came from what I heard at the conference from others. Everywhere I turned, someone pulled out a phone to show me a picture of a student who had attended the Aish yeshiva or seminary. Story after story described how Aish had helped launch someone’s Jewish journey.
It reminded me that our mission extends far beyond our own walls.
Organizations throughout the Jewish world know that when someone is ready to take the next step in Torah learning, Aish is a place they trust. That reputation is one of our greatest privileges and one of our greatest responsibilities.
At the very same time, I received a photograph and a copy of a talk given by our Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits, who was speaking to the staff of the NCSY Kollel.
That picture meant a great deal to me.
Sitting beside Rabbi Berkovits was my personal Rebbe, Rabbi Tzvi Sobolofsky, the posek for NCSY. Seeing my Rebbe and our Rosh Yeshiva together, both investing in the next generation of Jewish educators and leaders, reminded me once again that no single organization owns the future. We build it together.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who made the Shevatim Conference possible, especially Rabbi Netanel Friedman for inviting me, my dear friend Charlie Harary for his leadership, and Dr. Stuart Hytman, Chairman of Aish, who warmly welcomed the participants and reminded everyone of the importance of working together for Klal Yisrael.
By the time the conference ended, I found myself filled with genuine optimism.
What made the week even more meaningful was its timing.
We have entered the Nine Days leading up to Tisha B’Av, when we mourn the destruction of both Batei Mikdash. This is the time on our calendar where we remember the evil and destruction that befell us as a people. This year at Aish, our annual documentary, While We Were Celebrating, tells the story of the individuals and families who were affected by antisemitic violence in Jewish communities this past year. Whenever there is violence against the Jewish people, we have one answer that resonates throughout the generations: we come together. We persevere, and we celebrate again. The documentary includes exclusive interviews and first-hand testimony across three continents as the film takes you inside the aftermath of attacks that hit families, communities, and celebrations, but never broke the Jewish spirit. I strongly recommend watching this documentary. To view the trailer and register to watch the film for free this Tisha B’Av, click here: aish.com/9av
Our sages teach us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of sinas chinam, baseless hatred and division among Jews.
This week, I witnessed the opposite.
I saw Chabad and Aish learning from one another. I saw outreach professionals from every corner of the Jewish world sharing ideas instead of competing. I saw rabbis, educators, lay leaders, and organizations united by one mission: strengthening the Jewish people.
That gave me hope.
Since October 7, the Jewish world has changed dramatically.
The hatred directed toward our people has intensified. At the same time, more Jews than ever are searching for meaning, identity, purpose, and connection.
We must be ready for them.
Throughout the conference, I met remarkable leaders who are dedicating their lives to that mission. They are teaching, inspiring, mentoring, innovating, and building communities across the Jewish world.
It left me convinced that the future is bright.
At Aish, our responsibility is clear.
We must continue to be there for every Jew who is searching. We must be there online, reaching millions every day. We must be there in our yeshiva and seminary for those ready to immerse themselves in Torah learning. We must continue creating content, developing technology, and providing timeless Jewish wisdom to help Jews navigate an increasingly complicated world.
Most importantly, we must do it together.
The challenges facing the Jewish people are bigger than any one movement.
Our response must be bigger than any one movement as well.
When organizations compete less and collaborate more, every Jew benefits.
That is the future I saw this week.
That is the future I believe in.
That is the Jewish future our children deserve.
That is the future we must build together.
