Jewish Futures hosted a memorable to honour Rabbi Daniel Rowe’s 25 years of dedicated service to Aish and the British Jewish community. More than 150 guests joined Jewish Futures to celebrate Rabbi Rowe for a very special evening.
Rabbi Naftali Schiff, Chief Executive of Jewish Futures, opened the event with a heartfelt speech. This was followed by an inspiring address from Rabbi Rowe himself on the topic of “Seeking Truth: Navigating Pathways in an Upside-Down World.” As a special surprise for Rabbi Rowe, a touching video compilation featuring tributes from Rabbi Rowe’s closest friends, supporters, trustees, and colleagues from over the past 25 years was played.
The event also marked the launch of the Rabbi Rowe Student Scholarship Fund, which provides an opportunity for people to donate in Rabbi Rowe’s honour. This fund will enable more students to participate in life-changing immersive experiences with Aish, experiences that Rabbi Rowe has been an integral part of, significantly impacting many lives.
To mark the occasion Asher Steen, Trustee of Aish, also launched www.rabbidanielrowe.com. A website to host all of Rabbi Rowe’s educational materials, written works, lectures, advocacy videos, and past content, serving as a platform for him to continue his work in his new position at Aish Global.
Reflecting on the evening, Rabbi Rowe shared, “Tonight is exceptionally special, and Rina and I are truly overwhelmed by all of you taking the time to be here. We are deeply moved and profoundly blessed. For the past decades, Hashem granted me the incredible opportunity to be part of Aish UK and the Jewish Futures Network, under the indefatigable leadership of Rabbi Naftali. From my early days as a madrich at Aish UK at 18, I learned that when you deeply care about Hashem’s will, doing what is right, and securing the future of our people, ‘no’ is never an answer. We don’t see an upside-down world; we see a world on a journey towards the greatest light. May Hashem continue to empower us to carry out the remarkable work that all of you have contributed to, guiding light in the darkness, nurturing the future within each of us, and building an extraordinary Jewish future. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this journey.”
Commenting on Rabbi Rowe’s remarkable journey, Rabbi Naftali Schiff said, “This evening, as we honour Rabbi Daniel Rowe before he embarks on his next chapter, we are reminded once again of his profound impact as an educator and Rabbi in the UK over the past 25 years. Rabbi Rowe stands out as one of the most learned, articulate, and humble advocates for authentic Judaism, a staunch defender of Israel, and a devoted supporter of Jews worldwide. With the launch of the Rabbi Rowe Scholarship Fund tonight, we hope to continue his legacy by enabling countless young Jews to embark on immersive Jewish trips and experiences in his honour. We extend our heartfelt bracha to Rabbi Rowe and his family for their continued success.”
Rabbi Daniel Rowe, formerly the Executive Director and currently a Senior Educator of Aish UK, has been a prominent figure in the UK’s Jewish community for over three decades. Armed with a BA in Philosophy from University College London and an MPhil in Philosophy from Birkbeck College, Rabbi Rowe’s journey in Jewish scholarship and leadership began over 25 years ago when he was brought to the UK by Rabbi Naftali Schiff to join the Aish team as a madrich. Since then, Rabbi Rowe has become a world-renowned educator, thought leader, and intellectual powerhouse, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Jewish education in the UK. Rabbi Rowe is currently working towards his PhD in the philosophy of mathematics. This summer, he will be moving to Aish Global to continue his impactful work on a global scale.
Keren Heller Photography @KerenHellerPhotography
