One of the questions I am asked most often is why Aish has become so actively involved in the broader Jewish community over the past several years. For more than fifty years, Aish has been dedicated to making Jewish wisdom accessible to Jews around the world. That mission remains at the heart of everything we do. Many people have noticed, however, that we have also become increasingly engaged in organizations and initiatives that help shape the future of the Jewish people. Our participation in the recent World Zionist Congress elections through our party Aish Ha’am, which resulted in our receiving a division within the World Zionist Organization, is one example.
The answer is actually quite simple. Torah does not exist in a vacuum. Living as a Jew means being part of something larger than ourselves. Jewish wisdom strengthens individuals and families, but it also compels us to strengthen the institutions that sustain Jewish life. Strong schools, vibrant synagogues, effective organizations, and courageous leadership all play an essential role in securing our future. Aish has always viewed itself as part of that larger mission.
That idea came alive for me throughout this extraordinary week in Israel.
My week began at the Jewish Agency Board of Governors meetings in Tel Aviv, where I joined Jewish leaders from around the world who dedicate their lives to strengthening our people. It was especially meaningful to celebrate my dear friend and Aish Pillar David Heller of Cleveland as he assumed the chairmanship of the Jewish Agency. David deeply treasures Jewish wisdom, and his family’s support has helped spread Torah to countless Jews through Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen’s podcast.
I also spent time with my friend Chagit Leviev, whose family recently announced a remarkable fifty million dollar initiative to help Jewish children in public schools transition into yeshiva education. Listening to Chagit and David discuss their shared commitment to Jewish education reminded me that no single organization can do everything. Aish introduces countless Jews to the beauty of Judaism. Day schools nurture the next generation. Synagogues build lifelong communities. Together we create a thriving Jewish future.
Another highlight was meeting with my close friend Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein of South Africa. We spoke about Aish University and the opportunity to bring exceptional Torah teachers to Jews everywhere through technology. I was thrilled that he has informally agreed to participate. His wisdom will enrich students across the globe.
Throughout those meetings, I was reminded again and again of the respect Aish enjoys throughout the Jewish world. That respect belongs to all of you. Together we have built a community rooted in wisdom, love, and responsibility, and those values are recognized wherever Aish goes.
From Tel Aviv, I hurried back to Jerusalem to speak with our outstanding students who are participating in the Aish Summer Leadership Program, led by Rabbi Elliot Mathias. We explored several real leadership challenges I have encountered during my career and discussed how Jewish values guide difficult decisions.
One student asked what I believe is Aish’s greatest opportunity for growth. My answer came immediately. Our alumni. Tens of thousands of extraordinary people have walked through Aish over the decades. Staying connected with them is not simply good outreach. It is the continuation of our mission.
Later that day, we welcomed senior leaders from Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, including the Director General Avi Cohen Scali, the Deputy Director Yom Tov Raan, the Spokesperson Roni Niv, and other high-level staff members. We toured our Spanish Beit Midrash, the largest Spanish-language Beit Midrash in Israel, and discussed ways to partner in serving Jewish communities around the world.
The most powerful part of the visit was hearing directly from our students. They spoke about confronting antisemitism on campus, finding strength through learning Torah in Israel, and discovering a renewed sense of purpose. One student shared that he had left a successful career in finance and would soon be joining the IDF. Those stories reminded everyone in the room that Aish is not simply teaching Torah. We are helping shape lives.
The day concluded at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the American Embassy hosted a ceremony marking the permanent site of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. Ambassador Mike Huckabee joked that the ninety-nine-year lease cost one dollar, then proudly held up the dollar bill as the payment.
It was especially meaningful to embrace my friend David Milstein, Ambassador Huckabee’s senior adviser and an Aish alumnus, who recently became engaged. Rachel and I are looking forward to celebrating his wedding. I also had the opportunity to thank Ambassador Huckabee’s wife for the extraordinary kindness she showed our students before Passover when she personally volunteered at Ben Gurion Airport to help them make their flights home.
My final meeting brought me to Keren Kayemet LeYisrael, where I met with the new chairman, Eyal Ostrinsky. We discussed opportunities to work together through the World Zionist Organization to strengthen Jewish identity worldwide. During the World Zionist Congress campaign, I wrote that Aish would work with every party sincerely committed to strengthening the Jewish people. That is exactly what we have done. We have built relationships across the spectrum because Jewish unity is far more important than political labels.
As I reflected on this remarkable week, one thought stayed with me above all others. Aish occupies a unique place in the Jewish world. People look to Aish not only for Torah learning, but also for thoughtful leadership grounded in timeless Jewish values.
Every one of you is an ambassador for Aish. More importantly, every one of you is an ambassador for the Jewish people.
Our values of wisdom, love, and responsibility are not simply words. They are a way of living. Wisdom calls us to continually learn and grow. Love reminds us to see the dignity in every Jew and every human being. Responsibility demands that we step forward when our people need us.
This week I also published an opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post about the importance of not turning allies into adversaries over every disagreement. Ronald Reagan once observed that the person who agrees with him eighty percent of the time is not twenty percent his enemy. That wisdom feels especially relevant today. We will never agree on everything. Strong friendships and strong communities are built by standing together despite our differences.
There is far too much hatred in the world today. We see it directed at Israel and at the Jewish people every single day. Our response cannot be more hatred. Our response must be wisdom, love, and responsibility. Those are not only Aish’s values. They are timeless Jewish values, and they are needed now more than ever.
Thank you for being part of the Aish family. Thank you for representing Jewish wisdom wherever you go. I hope your summer is filled with growth, inspiration, and countless opportunities to strengthen the Jewish people.
