As part of their education and training to become intellectual, religious and civic leaders, Straus Scholars Students are encouraged to accept summer jobs, internships, and fellowships that complement their studies at the Straus Center. Many fellows spent this past summer participating in programs where they study aspects of public policy and philosophy that relate to their academic and personal interests. Over the coming months, we will be highlighting our students who have participated in such enriching experiences.
In this episode, we feature Aharon Soloveichik (YC ’25), who spent his summer at the American Enterprise Institute and the Beth Din of America. By examining the intricacies of contemporary American politics and halakhic jurisprudence, Soloveichik deepened his understanding of American and Jewish principles and their relevance to modern challenges.
Tell us about your time at the American Enterprise Institute this summer.
At the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), I took a course called “The Future of American Politics,” led by Matthew Continetti. We examined the state of American politics through three main questions: How did we get here? What is the current situation? What does the future hold? Our goal was to uncover underlying political trends and the changing dynamics of the American electorate. We studied two books: Where have all the Democrats gone? by John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira, and People’s Party by Patrick Ruffini. The first presents the current thinking of the Democratic Party while the second explores the Republican perspective.
What unique experiences have you had at AEI? How have they shaped your view of American politics?
One of the main goals of the course was to engage undergraduates from across the country in a dialogue about American politics. The diversity of backgrounds among the students ensured that all political perspectives were represented, leading to lively debate and discussion. Matt Continetti also invited speakers to enrich our understanding: Ruy Teixeira on the Democratic approach to the upcoming elections, Patrick Ruffini on the Republican approach, Michael Kazin on the changing electorate, and renowned pollster Doug Sosnik on polling trends. Henry Olsen also spoke to us about the upcoming British elections and potential crossover trends between American and British politics.
Beyond the seminar, we were also privileged to attend lectures by various guest speakers who addressed the entire AEI student body. Among them, Danielle Pletka and Kenneth Pollack spoke about the situation in the Middle East; Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Director of the Straus Center, spoke about the role of Judaism in America and the lessons learned from his new book. Providence and power; and a live recording of The rest podcast hosted by Jonah Goldberg with guests Yuval Levin, Christine Rosen, and Chris Stirewalt.
You also interned at the Beth Din of America. Can you tell us more about that experience and what you learned about the halakhic system?
I completed a two-month internship with Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig at the Beth Din of America, where I was able to observe the inner workings of the court and the diversity of cases it handles. in the makingmediation between divorced couples, contractual disputes and other complex issues. I was even entrusted with the responsibility of signing a certification for a getRabbi Rosensweig allowed me to listen in on the discussions between Dayanim (judges) and guided me throughout the development of the psak (decision), sharing the relevant sources of the Talmud and Choul’han AroukhHe patiently explained his reasoning to me, showing me how the sources were incorporated into the final decision.
Why do you think your work this summer is important? How does your experience as a Straus Fellow influence your thinking?
As a student in Yeshiva University’s Straus Scholars program, one of my goals is to analyze the great works of the Western canon and synthesize them with the Torah. The American Enterprise Institute has given me the tremendous opportunity to meticulously study the state of American politics to better understand its underlying trends and principles. This study of modern political trends is an extension of the broader exploration of Western thought, where the ideas that have defined Western civilization are continually reevaluated in light of contemporary developments. Understanding these trends is not just about analyzing current events; it is about recognizing how the principles of the Western intellectual tradition are being adapted to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Similarly, my time at the Beth Din of America deepened my understanding of the application of Jewish law to contemporary issues, showing how the Torah continues to provide a moral framework that intersects with modern legal and political systems. These summer internships allowed me to simultaneously pursue the Straus Center’s goal of deepening my knowledge of Western civilization and the Torah, and their relevance to today.
