Stewart Weiss

Rabbi Weiss was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim. In September of 2002, the Weiss's eldest son, Sgt. Ari Weiss - a member of an elite anti-terrorist unit in the IDF's Nachal Brigade - was killed during a raid on Hamas headquarters in Nablus. Rabbi Weiss writes and speaks extensively about drawing upon spiritual strength to cope with loss, and maintaining faith in the shadow of tragedy.

DEEPLY PERSONAL experience: Blowing the shofar on Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Aug. 31.

Rosh Hashanah 2026: The sound of the shofar as a vessel for victory, struggle, and self-sacrifice

TO A PLACE that is serene, free of war or terrorism...

Israelis can flee Israel, but they cannot escape their Jewish destiny - opinion

HEED THE SHOFAR: Can we harness the ‘Elul effect’?

This Elul, Israel's government should ask forgiveness from the citizens it has wronged - opinion


Wherever Jews wander, Chabad welcomes them home - opinion

By feeding travelers, opening its doors, and accepting Jews wherever they stand, Chabad has built one of the world’s most successful Jewish outreach movements.

CHABAD VOLUNTEERS assist World Series fans in putting on tefillin, 2016.

Before Tisha B'Av: Lessons from Singapore and Japan for repairing Israeli society - opinion

Who is wise? One who learns from all people. – "Ethics of the Elders"

THE WRITER and his wife the elephants at the Family Friendly Farm in Chiang Mai.

Israel's cycle of crisis and renewal: The five stages of Jewish history - opinion

Despite recurring crises and global hostility, Jewish history is framed as ending not in decline but in renewal and survival.

History repeats itself ...

A tale of two Aris: How a fallen IDF soldier’s name forged a lifelong family bond - opinion

After recovering intel from Hamas headquarters and saving countless lives, Sgt. Ari Weiss was shot and passed away, but his name has inspired heroic legacies for 18 children.

ARI & ANAELLE PREISER under the ‘huppah.’

Jew vs Jew: New York, Israel, and the crisis of Jewish solidarity - opinion

As antisemitism rises, the widening rift among Jews over Israel raises urgent questions about Jewish unity.

Chai Riders line up in this year’s Salute to Israel parade in Manhattan, May 31.

Shavuot 2026: The holiday's enduring call to faith, loyalty, and Jewish purpose

From Sinai to modern Israel, Shavuot reminds Jews of the power of faith, words, and commitment.

We begin our day with the acknowledgment of ‘Modeh Ani.’

A time for healing: Can Israel mend its deep internal rift? - opinion

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap; a time to kill, a time to heal. – Ecclesiastes

NAFTALI BENNETT visits Sgt. Yona Brief, wounded in Kfar Aza on Oct. 7. After 417 days of hospitalization, Brief succumbed to his injuries.

From Passover to sirens: Why Jewish survival still demands action - opinion

In every single generation, there are those who would seek our destruction – but we are still here.

PROF. YISRAEL AUMANN speaks at a Nov. 2005 news conference at the Hebrew University, after winning the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on conflict and cooperation through game theory analysis. He shares the prize with American economist Thomas Schelling.

From Passover to Independence Day: Memory, sacrifice, and Israeli resilience - opinion

As Passover ends, Israel moves through remembrance to celebration, carrying memory and meaning into independence.

Prof. Yisrael Aumann speaks at a Nov. 2005 news conference at the Hebrew University, after winning the  Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on conflict and cooperation through game theory analysis. He shares the  prize with American economist Thomas Schelling.

A deeper reflection: Why the Passover story still matters today - opinion

The lesson that lingers is that freedom is not just about leaving a place of hardship; it is about creating a reality where that hardship does not repeat itself.

FOR ISRAEL in the here and now, these ideas are playing out in real time