# Aish HaTorah

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aish_HaTorah
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aish_HaTorah.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aish_HaTorah
> Source revision: 1356331743
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Orthodox Jewish educational organization

Aish/Aish HaTorah אש התורה‎ Aish HaTorah World Center in Jerusalem Nickname Aish Established 1974 Founder Rabbi Noah Weinberg Type Nonprofit Purpose Jewish education Headquarters Jerusalem, Israel Services Online educational content, Yeshiva, classes, seminars Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits CEO Rabbi Steven Burg Key people Steven Burg Yitzchak Berkovitz Jamie Geller Affiliations Orthodox Judaism Website aish.com

**Aish**, formerly known as **Aish HaTorah** ([Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language): אש התורה, [lit.](/source/Literal_translation) 'Fire of the Torah'), is a [Jewish Orthodox](/source/Orthodox_Judaism) educational organization. The focus of Aish is the spread of traditional [Jewish religious teachings](/source/Judaism) and [culture](/source/Jewish_culture) to Jews around the globe, utilizing a significant online presence made up of its website, Aish.com, and various social media channels.

In addition to the educational organization, the organization's main campus in [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem) also includes a [yeshiva](/source/Yeshiva) and a [women's seminary](/source/Women's_seminary), as well as several other in-person programs. In the late 1990s, the Los Angeles branch of Aish pioneered the [speed dating](/source/Speed_dating) concept as a way to promote marriages between Jewish partners.

In 2001, as part of its outreach and advocacy, Aish set up the [Hasbara Fellowships](/source/Hasbara_Fellowships), an initiative designed to combat anti-Israel ideas on North American college campuses, in collaboration with the [Israeli Foreign Ministry](/source/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Israel)).[1]

## History

Aish, founded in [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem) in 1974 by [Rabbi](/source/Rabbi) [Noah Weinberg](/source/Noah_Weinberg) after leaving the [Ohr Somayach yeshiva](/source/Ohr_Somayach%2C_Jerusalem), which he had co-founded, aimed to educate young Jewish students, particularly travellers and volunteers, in the history and traditions of [Orthodox Judaism](/source/Orthodox_Judaism).[2][3] It later expanded worldwide and established 30 branches; each is currently run as its own entity. Aish continues to promote an extensive array of relevant in-person courses and online educational material.[4] After Weinberg died in February 2009, his son, Rabbi Hillel Weinberg, served as interim dean for a few years.[5] In 2015, Rabbi Steven Burg was named CEO of the organization,[6] and, in 2019, Rabbi [Yitzchak Berkovits](/source/Yitzchak_Berkovits) was named *[rosh yeshiva](/source/Rosh_yeshiva)*.[7]

## Politics

The organization is ideologically [conservative](/source/Jewish_conservatism). Its officials have stated they oppose a full hand-over of the [West Bank](/source/West_Bank) to the [Palestinians](/source/Palestinians).[8] In 2012, Aish HaTorah officials were linked to the [Clarion Fund](/source/Clarion_Project), publishers of the controversial film [*The Third Jihad*](/source/The_Third_Jihad%3A_Radical_Islam's_Vision_For_America), alleging a Muslim strategy to infiltrate and dominate America.[8]

## Activities

See also: [Hasbara Fellowships](/source/Hasbara_Fellowships)

Aish operates roughly 32 full-time branches on five continents, providing seminars, singles events, executive learning groups, [Shabbat](/source/Shabbat) and [Jewish holiday](/source/Jewish_holiday) programs, and community-building. Its Jerusalem headquarters includes a high-tech main campus and outreach center featuring a rooftop vista overlooking the [Temple Mount](/source/Temple_Mount).[9]

The organization operates a website at Aish.com that attracts a global audience.[10] Among the services offered are live chat sessions with Rabbis who are available to answer questions.[11]

In the late 1998, Rabbi Yaakov Deyo, then Educational Director of the Los Angeles branch of Aish,[12] invented the [speed dating](/source/Speed_dating) concept.[13][14] Speed dating events under the auspices of Aish have continued to the present, designed to promote marriages between Jewish partners and thus continue the Jewish tradition.[14]

In 2001, the [Israeli Foreign Ministry](/source/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Israel)) worked with Aish HaTorah to create the [Hasbara Fellowships](/source/Hasbara_Fellowships), an initiative designed to combat anti-Israel ideas on North American college campuses.[1] A 2001 investigation by *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)* linked the pro-Israel media monitoring group [HonestReporting](/source/HonestReporting)'s early operations to Aish HaTorah, which was described at the time as a [right-wing extremist](/source/Far-right_politics_in_Israel) organization.[15]

In December 2013, Aish HaTorah of New York filed suit against its former chief financial officer Jacob Fetman to enforce a [Beth Din](/source/Beth_Din) ruling that Fetman had stolen $20 million in funds from the organization.[16]

## Notable faculty

- [Noah Weinberg](/source/Noah_Weinberg) (1930 – 2009), founder

- [Chaim Malinowitz](/source/Chaim_Malinowitz) (1952 – 2019)[17]

- Rabbi [Steven Burg](/source/Steven_Burg), CEO

- Rabbi [Yitzchak Berkovits](/source/Yitzchak_Berkovits), Rosh Yeshiva

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_1-1) Stub, Zev (2024-12-31). ["From posters to protests, pro-Israel US campus leaders take varying paths to shared goal"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-posters-to-protests-pro-israel-us-campus-leaders-take-varying-paths-to-shared-goal/). *The Times of Israel*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0040-7909](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0040-7909). Retrieved 2025-11-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MishAishR_NoachW_2-0)** Andrew Friedman (February 11, 2009). "The Fire Within: The Passion, Vision, and Teacity That Was Rav Noach Weimnerg ztz"l". *Mishpacha*. pp. 16–24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_3-0)** Goldberg, J.J. (2016-08-16). ["Is Israel Trying To Turn American Jews Into Orthodox Right-Wingers?"](http://forward.com/opinion/348004/is-new-israeli-initiative-trying-to-turn-american-jews-into-orthodox-right/). *The Forward*. Retrieved 2016-08-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Nas Daily (2024-07-08). [*I had a conversation with a Jewish Rabbi*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rdSEzwrp4U). Retrieved 2024-07-11 – via YouTube.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-kikar_5-0)** Kahana, Shaul (May 21, 2019). ["משגיח הישיבה התארס עם הרבנית מעפולה"](https://mobile.kikar.co.il/article/317606) [Yeshiva's Mashgiach Engaged to a Rebbetzin from Afula]. *[Kikar HaShabbat](/source/Kikar_HaShabbat_(website))* (in Hebrew). Retrieved October 29, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Yudelson, Larry (June 18, 2015). ["his place in jerusalem"](https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/his-place-in-jerusalem/). *Jewish Standard*. Retrieved July 11, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-aish_7-0)** [Simmons, Shraga](/source/Shraga_Simmons) (August 14, 2019). ["Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits to be Inaugurated as Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah"](https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Rabbi-Yitzchak-Berkovits-to-be-Inaugurated-as-Rosh-Yeshiva-of-Aish-HaTorah.html). *Aish.com*. Retrieved October 17, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_8-1) Powell, Michael (2012-01-23). ["In Police Training, a Dark Film on U.S. Muslims"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/nyregion/in-police-training-a-dark-film-on-us-muslims.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2016-08-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Staff, JLNJ (2022-02-17). ["US Ambassador To Israel Visits Aish"](https://jewishlink.news/us-ambassador-to-israel-visits-aish/). *The Jewish Link*. Retrieved 2024-07-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Wire, Aish/Jewlish (June 14, 2022). ["Aish and Jewlish enter into a strategic partnership, making Aish the #1 global Jewish food media brand"](https://www.jns.org/wire/aish-and-jewlish-enter-into-a-strategic-partnership-making-aish-the-1-global-jewish-food-media-brand/). *Jewish News Syndicate*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["DMing my rabbi: Aish's live chats see spike 300% post-Oct. 7, antisemitism surge"](https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-806821). *[The Jerusalem Post](/source/The_Jerusalem_Post)*. 2024-06-19. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0792-822X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0792-822X). Retrieved 2024-07-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Greenwald, Toby Klein (2021-10-18). ["Torah Live Breathes New Life into Education"](https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/341472/torah-live-breathes-new-life-into-education/). *Jewish Journal*. Retrieved 2025-11-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Kennedy, Pagan (2013-09-27). ["Who Made Speed Dating? (Published 2013)"](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/magazine/who-made-speed-dating.html). *[The New York Times Magazine](/source/The_New_York_Times_Magazine)*. Retrieved 2025-11-18.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_14-1) Staff (2025-08-05). ["Largest-ever Jewish virtual dating event timed to holiday of Tu B'Av"](https://www.jns.org/largest-ever-jewish-virtual-dating-event-timed-to-holiday-of-tu-bav/). *JNS.org*. Retrieved 2025-11-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Leigh-2001_15-0)** Leigh, David (22 February 2001). ["Media manipulators"](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/feb/22/internetnews.comment). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 24 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Nathan-Kazis, Josh (26 June 2015). ["$20M Charity Embezzlement Case Shows Power of Rabbinic Courts"](http://forward.com/news/310895/when-rabbis-rule-secular-courts-listen/). *The Forward*. Retrieved 2 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Landesman, Shmuel (5 December 2019). ["Rabbi Chaim Malinowitz, Artscroll Editor And Rav, 67"](https://www.jewishpress.com/review/in-print-review/rabbi-chaim-malinowitz-artscroll-editor-and-rav-67/2019/12/05/). *Jewish Press*. Retrieved 16 December 2019.

## External links

- [Aish official website](https://aish.com/)

v t e Aish HaTorah Rabbis Yitzchak Berkovits Chaim Malinowitz Kalman Packouz Zelig Pliskin Shraga Simmons Noah Weinberg Rebbetzins Lori Palatnik Denah Weinberg Projects Discovery Seminar EYAHT Hasbara Fellowships

v t e Orthodox Yeshivas in Israel and the West Bank Yeshivot Aderet Eliyahu Aish HaTorah Ateret Yerushalayim Yeshivas Bais Yisroel Beit El Bircas HaTorah Birkat Moshe (Hesder) Derech Etz Chaim Dvar Yerushalayim Eretz HaTzvi Etz Chaim HaRaayon HaYehudi Har Bracha Har Etzion HaKotel (Hesder) Hamivtar Har Hamor Harry Fischel Institute for Talmudic Research Hebron Yeshiva Itri Kaminetz Kerem B'Yavneh (Hesder) Kisse Rahamim Knesses Chizkiyahu Kol Torah Lakewood East Lev Hatorah Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa Ma'alot Yaakov (Hesder) Maarava Machon Rubin Machon Meir Marbeh Torah Mayanot Meah Shearim Mercaz HaRav Mercaz Hatorah Midrash Shmuel Mir Mir Brachfeld Netiv Aryeh Neveh Zion Ohr Elchonon Ohr Somayach Ohr Yerushalayim Or Vishua (Hesder) Or Etzion (Hesder) Otniel (Hesder) Otzmat Yerushalayim Pachad Yitzchok Petah Tikva (Hesder) Ponevezh Porat Yosef Pressburg Shaar Hashamayim Sfas Emes Shavei Hevron Slabodka Torah Ore Torat Emes Tomchei Tmimim Toras Moshe Sderot (Hesder) Sha'alvim Shilo (Hesder) Yerushalayim L’Tzeirim Yerucham (Hesder) Midrashot Beth Jacob Jerusalem EYAHT Machon Gold Mayanot Midreshet Aviv Midreshet Binat Midreshet HaRova Midreshet Lindenbaum Midreshet Ma'amakim Migdal Oz Neve Yerushalayim Nishmat Jerusalem Michlala

Authority control databases: National Israel

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aish HaTorah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aish_HaTorah) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aish_HaTorah?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.