The Torah is the most holy of Judaism’s sacred writings. Jewish values spring from this founding religious document. That’s why Ira Riklis has been a steadfast supporter of Aish HaTorah, an educational organization that offers teaching and guidance about the Torah and traditional Jewish beliefs. The reach hundreds of thousands each year through their website and through programs offered at more than one hundred cities around the world.
At its core, the group is more strictly orthodox than Ira Riklis, who considers himself as Conservadox—somewhere between Conservative and Orthodox. But what appeals to him about Aish HaTorah is both the simplicity of their outreach efforts and their philosophy is that Judaism is not all or nothing. They view Mitzvot (commandments) not as rituals, but as opportunities for personal growth. They offer their teachings in the spirit of guiding others on their life journeys, journeys to traveled by each person at their own pace and interest.