As an ordained Rabbi who is dedicated to serving the Los Angeles community and renowned for his impactful sermons and popular lectures, Rabbi Yoel Gold currently serves as Rabbi of Congregation Beis Naftali. The organization, which comprises Holocaust survivors and modern American professionals, also provides charitable services throughout Southern California to people in need of food, clothing and shelter.
In addition, Rabbi Gold is a ninth-grade Rebbe with Mesivta Birkas Yitzchok (MBY), a boys’ yeshiva high school catering to the strictly observant Jewish Community, whose educational emphasis is to produce students steeped in Torah learning and yiras shamayim.
Rabbi Gold is also a sought-after motivational speaker throughout Southern California, sharing his love for life and passion for the torah. His contagious inspirational messages have inspired countless audiences, including Jew in the City, Chayenu, such universities as UCLA, Manchester and Leeds, and companies like BCBG Max Azria.
He was previously appointed as the fulltime Rav of Aish Manchester in England, and has led a trip to Poland, where Rabbi Gold taught and inspired youth about past generations and orthodox heritage.
(6) Sara Baila Akselrud, April 27, 2016 9:08 PM
Omg Jordan! Imagine our surprise to see your story on Aish' website! An amazing miracle! We miss you! Chag Sameach! Dovid and Sara Baila
(5) Diane, April 27, 2016 12:15 AM
Reminds me of my husband in Vietnam
My husband was in US Marines recon unit during a 77 day battle for Khe Sahn. It was bloody, and supplies had to be dropped since planes couldn't land.
When I met my husband he showed me the mezuzah he was wearing on a chain around his neck. He believes that it was ?Hashem who saved him even though he nearly died during his third tour. The mezuzah along with a military size siddur had been given to him by an Orthodox rabbi in Chicao area between my husband's deployments when he was an MP going after guys who were AWOL (absent illegally from duty). He and Rabbi Hirshman became close and studied together on and off over a 2-year period before and after his deployments. It's a miracle my husband survived a grenade blast the nearly took his life. He spent a year in a Naval hospital with mouth wired shut and numerous surgeries to save his right leg. This was long before we met, but when we met I saw his mezuza hanging around his neck, I knew he was Jewish, and we began a friendship that led to marriage.
I encourage Jordan Schwartz to join the Jewish War Veterans. There is a group that meets in Jerusalem and several in the US. Most of the current members are WWII & Korea. My husband who is now 72, is the youngest in our chapter. We need more young Jewish military men & women to keep the JWV going.
Sadly, Israeli IDF soldiers aren't accepted as full members. I think that needs to change. Jewish war heroes need their own recognition, no matter in which military they have fought.
Kol Hakavod to Jordan & great he is studying at yeshiva.
FYI-I personally say the Shema every time I'm traveling by plane during take off & landing for the same reason that Jodan gave.
It shows us that we never know what we say or do and how we can influence others in filling their Jewish souls.
(4) Gary, April 26, 2016 1:14 PM
What a wonderful, heartwarming story. It is much like the experience that I, in Vietnam,, and my Dad (O'H) in WWII, had experienced. In fact, my Dad shared with me that he was in a German POW march and with his last name. he knew he was headed for the gas chambers. In a bad snowstorm, he was able to sneak from the line. He knew that Hashem was the only way this became possible.
(3) Miriam, April 26, 2016 11:09 AM
Incredible.
Incredibly inspiring. No words.
(2) Vanessa, April 22, 2016 2:56 AM
Amazing
I love it when Our HaShems hand is so clearly seen
His Love for us so immense
How can we not Love our Creator back with all that we are?
(1) Anonymous, April 20, 2016 12:46 AM
Beautiful