International Report
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International Report The stories that propel Aish... toward our 40th year and beyond. Inside: Prime Markets Jerusalem Core Aish Classics Pictured: Original glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly, in the atrium of the Aish World Center / Dan Family of Canada Building. The Jerusalem Post called it "one of the most significant works of glass art to be permanently exhibited in Jerusalem." The sculpture, entitled "Fire and Water," represents the talmudic story of Rebbe Akiva, from which Aish HaTorah gets its name. About Aish 2 The Aish story begins with one man who, in the face of others’ doubts, built a movement to connect Jews to their heritage and to each other. Forty years later, Aish is the story of thousands of dedicated people – rabbis, lay leaders and students – taking responsibility to solve the spiritual and physical challenges facing the Jewish people. Aish is the story of millions of Jews connecting with the passion of Jewish life. It is the story of young professionals exploring their roots, their land, and the wisdom of ancient books. It is the story of college students overcoming anti-Israel sentiment on campus and standing proud for their people. And Aish is the story of parents infusing their homes with Jewish values for the next generation. Rabbi Noah Weinberg built Aish’s first 40 years, and we are now moving boldly forward into the next 40 years. Our objective is to introduce strategic projects that ensure long-term stability for the organization, while fostering an exciting new era of expansion that impacts Jews Aish is our story. throughout the world. The Aish story is told through Facebook photos of visits to the Aish Center at the Please join us. Western Wall in Jerusalem. It is told through meaningful, timely articles and films on Aish.com. It is told through inspiring Torah study sessions held everywhere from living rooms to board rooms, and at 30 Aish centers on 6 continents. These stories emerge from our commitment to take responsibility, each in our unique way, for the future of the Jewish people. Into the future, these stories deepen as we sit around the Shabbat table with our children and grandchildren, sharing warmth and wisdom in unparalleled connection. Rabbi Noah Weinberg Aish is a story like the Jewish people themselves – exciting, innovative, eternal. Founder of Aish HaTorah 1930-2009 It is fueled by a diverse group of dedicated partners who give of their time, expertise and money, contributing to our goal of nothing less than a Jewish renaissance. Aish annual Figures for 2012 participants Branches Unique Participants Programs Unique Participants Jerusalem Unique Participants 3 U.K. 30,000 Project Chazon (U.S.) 29,000 Israeli Outreach 10,650 New York – Connections 7,100 Hasbara Fellowships 20,600 Aish Events 8,900 Toronto 4,000 Project Inspire 8,000 Student Groups 3,560 Los Angeles 3,100 Campus Programs 7,000 Discovery-Israel 3,140 New York – Manhattan 3,000 Discovery USA 1,100 Western Wall 2,380 Experience Denver 1,500 JWRP (affiliate) 900 Fellowships 1,920 Tel Aviv 1,000 Bliss Seminars 300 Essentials 1,480 Mexico City 1,000 Justifi 100 ELC & Missions 1,100 Boston 1,000 Total: 67,000 Outreach Training 760 Philadelphia 800 Project Chazon 350 South Florida 700 Digital Subscribers Yeshiva 260 Johannesburg 700 Aish.com 274,000* Jewel 150 Australia 610 Aish.co.il (Hebrew) 82,000 Eyaht 80 St. Louis 570 AishLatino (Spanish) 29,000 Cleveland 550 Total: 34,730 AishAudio 25,000 Detroit 500 Aish.fr (French) 1,000 Washington 500 SUMMARY HonestReporting 139,000 Chile 500 (affiliate) Aish Branches 58,050 Brazil 350 FreeMiddleEast.com 36,000 Programs 67,000 Costa Rica 320 Kiruv.com 35,000 Digital 621,000 Minnesota 250 Total: 621,000 Jerusalem 34,730 Total: 58,050 *plus 10 million visits Annual Total 780,780 Young professionals at Aish event in London Aish Campus Prime Markets On the front lines 4 Students – energetic, educated and collectively inspired to turn their dreams into reality – have always served as the prime manpower of the great social movements. That is why Aish has undertaken a major campus initiative – establishing 9 branches servicing North American universities, giving us direct access to 300,000 Jewish students. NW6 Birthright “Brings Israel Home” Hundreds of thousands of young Jews have visited Israel on Birthright. Yet the challenge has always been to engage them afterward – to ensure that the impact doesn’t dissipate, but grows. Now, Aish New York has broken through with an amazing online innovation called Bring Israel Home. We set up a “virtual gaming platform” for our 10 Birthright busloads (400 students) to compete against each other in Jewish and Israel-related challenges. The grand prize was a spectacular reunion weekend in New York along with the Israeli soldiers who accompanied them on their trip. The success rate is astounding: Our most recent group had 100% participation – staying connected to Israel, to Judaism, and to each other. In recognition of this success, the Reform movement is now asking Aish to follow up with 40 Lisa’s Story busloads of their Birthright students. In 2011, my husband Seth and I went to lead the Aish Campus initiative at Indiana Aish is trailblazing the use of new media to reach the new generation. University. Our goal was to implement Aish’s movement-building philosophy by recruiting and building student leaders, while becoming a hub of Jewish life on campus. We’re amazed at how Aish has caught on. Today our Shabbat meals average 80 students. I love hosting and connecting with so many students. This semester, 35 students signed up for weekly one-on-one Torah study sessions – on everything from “Essentials of Judaism” to “Exploration of the Talmud.” Thank God, we continue to beat our metrics. This summer alone, Aish at Indiana University is sending 15 students to Israel for full-time learning programs, and another 40 students to Israel on Birthright and second-stage 2.0 trips. As for the Jewish energy on campus, we can see the tide turning in our favor. Go Hoosiers! Lisa Cook Aish Campus – Indiana University Aish Birthright group on the rooftop of the Aish World Center (In the background: Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives) Young Professionals Prime Markets 5 Igniting the next Young professionals are often the AISH STATS generation Jewish community’s “missing demographic,” MORI, England’s largest independent research company, typically at a low ebb of affiliation. Yet Aish surveyed 1,400 graduates of Aish UK’s 3-week Israel trip, prioritizes this vital market, since it is the stage when finding that: young Jews are choosing partners and setting lifetime directions. 97% have married Jewish partners, compared to the 50% national average Even more, young professionals have the maturity, resources and freedom to take responsibility and become leaders of Aish’s 69% are continuing their Jewish studies burgeoning social movement to restore Jewish values and pride. 60% are actively involved in the Jewish community Aish is creating a number of innovative strategies to ignite young professionals with 10% are pursuing careers in Jewish leadership the fire of Torah – ensuring a future of healthy Jewish families, and educated leaders taking responsibility for the Jewish people. NW6 In 2012, Aish UK forged unique strategic partnerships with two major synagogues in the Hampstead neighborhood of London, a hub for young Jewish professionals. Two Aish Rabbis, Moshe Mayerfeld and Shlomo Stilerman, moved into the area. With the benefit of established synagogue facilities, Aish is providing young professionals with attractive Shabbat programming, learning opportunities, and social events. Utilizing these existing communal frameworks has proven a visionary and cost-effective method. Aish UK is now applying the same model to Jewish day schools – sending educators to impart Aish’s unique, highly-engaging content. Yitz’s Story In Los Angeles, we conceived of Morry’s Fireplace as a modern and comfortable place that would become a hub for young Jewish professionals. We built the Fireplace just a few storefronts down from Aish LA’s main center – and stocked it with food, sofas, and of course a fireplace. The formula worked. Hundreds of Jewish singles now meet at Morry’s for social events, Shabbat and holiday experiences, and dynamic self-development seminars. “Aish” means “fire” and we have created a warm, vibrant community that brings Jews together and ignites Jewish pride. Rabbi Yitz Jacobs Aish Los Angeles Aish UK young professionals meeting with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain Women Prime Markets In partnership with Aish and 62 other Instilling Jewish organizations throughout the world, the Jewish 6 Women's Renaissance Project (JWRP) continues to JWRP Participants values at home experience incredible growth, bringing over 2,500 women to 1200 Israel, featuring classes at the Aish World Center / Dan Family of sold out in 10 days Canada Building. 900 800 This 9-day subsidized trip is a high-impact dose of learning and touring amidst the 600 Gaza War that informs, inspires and builds a deep bond of sisterhood – empowering today's Jewish woman. 300 But that's just the beginning. The ultimate success of these trips depends on 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 follow-up, where in dozens of cities around the world, these women tap into a broad network of peers and mentors from Aish and other partnering organizations – and then undertake responsibility for inspiring themselves, their families, and the broader Jewish community. This exciting social movement is gaining traction, and 2012 featured the first annual JWRP Leadership Conference. Together, we are activating thousands of women and making a lasting impact on Jewish homes and the Jewish world.