Are You a Spy or a Tourist?
History
10 min read
Rabbi Avraham Kovel is an author, entrepreneur, and lifelong student of personal growth. After growing up as a non-religious Jew in New Haven, CT and graduating from Emory University, Avraham's spiritual quest led him through Eastern philosophies and meditative practices and culminated in a transformative return to Judaism. His diverse experiences include five months studying Tibetan Buddhism with the Dalai Lama in India, developing an exercise card game used in over 3,500 schools, and leading the team that built the obstacle course for the CrossFit Games. Now based in Har Nof, Jerusalem, Avraham has spent nearly a decade studying under some of the leading Torah scholars of our generation: Rabbis Beryl Gershenfeld, Yitzchak Berkovits, Aharon Lopiansky, and Lawrence Kelemen. He holds rabbinic ordination from the Jerusalem Kollel and teaches at the Machon Yaakov Institute. Avraham brings a fresh perspective to Jewish teachings, blending modern sensibilities with traditional wisdom, and through his writing aims to inspire young Jews to discover the depth and relevance of their heritage in today's world. His forthcoming book, Ascend: The Torah's Path to Self-Transformation (Mosaica Press, 2027), draws on classical sources -- from Rashi and Ramban to the Maharal -- to show that the growth we all seek has been in the Torah all along. Subscribe to his weekly articles at avrahamkovel.substack.com.
