As part of their education and training to be intellectual, religious, and civic leaders, Straus Scholars are encouraged to take summer jobs, internships, and fellowships that build on their studies at the Straus Center. Many Scholars have spent this past summer participating in programs where they study aspects of public policy and philosophy relevant to their academic and personal interests. Over the coming months we will highlight our students who have engaged in such enriching experiences.
In this installment, we feature Aharon Soloveichik (YC ‘25), who spent his summer with the American Enterprise Institute and the Beth Din of America. 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 the time you spent with the American Enterprise Institute this summer.
At the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), I participated in “The Future of American Politics,” a course 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 the underlying political trends and shifting dynamics of the American electorate. We studied two books: Where Have All the Democrats Gone? by John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira, and Party of the People by Patrick Ruffini. The former presented the current thinking of the Democratic party while the latter explored the Republican perspective.
What were some of the unique experiences you had at AEI? How did they shape your perspective on American politics?
One key aim of the course was engaging in dialogue on American politics with fellow undergraduates from across the country. The diverse backgrounds of the students ensured that every political perspective was represented, resulting in lively debates and discussions. Matt Continetti also invited guest speakers to enrich our understanding: Ruy Teixeira on the Democratic approach to the upcoming election, Patrick Ruffini on the Republican approach, Michael Kazin on the shifting electorate, and renowned pollster Doug Sosnik on polling trends. We also heard from Henry Olsen on what was then the upcoming British election, and the potential crossover trends between American and British politics.
Beyond the seminar, we were also privileged to attend talks by various guest speakers who spoke to the entire AEI student body. These included Danielle Pletka and Kenneth Pollack on the situation in the Middle East; Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Director of the Straus Center, on the role of Judaism in America and lessons from his new book Providence and Power; and a live recording of The Remnant podcast hosted by Jonah Goldberg with guests Yuval Levin, Christine Rosen, and Chris Stirewalt.
You also interned at the Beth Din of America. Please tell us more about that experience and what you learned about the halakhic system.
I interned for two months under Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig at the Beth Din of America, where I observed the inner workings of the court and the variety of cases it handles. These included gittin, mediation between divorced couples, contract disputes, and other complex issues. I was even given the responsibility to sign a certification for a get. Rabbi Rosensweig allowed me to listen in on the discussions between dayanim (judges) and guided me through the development of the psak (ruling), sharing the relevant sources from the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch. He patiently explained his reasoning, showing me how the sources were incorporated into the final decision.
Why do you believe your work this summer is important? How does your experience as a Straus scholar shape your thinking?
As a student in the Straus Scholars program at ƵɫƬ, one of my goals is to analyze the great works of the Western canon and synthesize them with Torah. The American Enterprise Institute afforded me the terrific opportunity to be able 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 reassessed 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 address the challenges of the 21st century.
Similarly, my time at the Beth Din of America deepened my understanding of Jewish law's application to contemporary issues, showing how 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 the present time.
