Bringing Jewish Pride to the Miami Marlins

On October 7, 2023, the entire Jewish world was stunned: The modern state of Israel had suffered its worst attack ever, and this was the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

A day later, while protestors took the streets to condemn Israel, one sports team put up a message of support.

“The Miami Marlins are saddened and heartbroken by the images of suffering and loss of innocent lives,” the team posted to their Instagram. “We stand in solidarity with our South Florida community and the people of Israel for an end to terrorism and we pray for peace.”

 

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One of the people involved in the messaging was Ari Ackerman, co-owner and partner in the Miami Marlins, as well as a pro-Israel Jew.

“When October 7 happened, I spoke to partners of mine and we said we need to do this immediately,” Ari said in an Aish.com interview. “I sent a suggestion of what we should say, and they took it under advisement, since it wasn’t just me making the decisions. They did post pretty much what I said. I’m proud I spearheaded it.”

Ari, a husband and father of two, was already an advocate for the Jewish community. But when October 7 happened, he amped up his support when Israel and his people needed it the most.

“I love being part of a network of people who are warm and loving,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful thing to be a part of.”

A Zionist through and through

Ari’s connections to Israel run deep. His grandmother’s family had the first pharmacy in Israel, in Tel Aviv, and his grandfather was a very close friend of Arik Sharon, the eleventh prime minister of Israel.

“I was named after him, and he came to my bar mitzvah,” Ari said. “My grandparents instilled a responsibility of being Jewish in me and my sisters. We never lost sight of it.”

I My grandparents instilled a responsibility of being Jewish in me and my sisters. We never lost sight of it.

His mother was born in Israel, and he grew up in New York, where he attended The Ramaz School. After high school, he spent a semester in college in Israel and would go back and forth several times a year to visit family.

“Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people,” Ari said. “It’s the continuity of the Jewish people, and of our traditions for thousands of years. After all, at the Passover Seder every year, we say, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’”

For 18 years, Ari spent his time building Bunk1, a popular technology that allowed parents to see pictures online and send emails to their kids at summer camp.

“I’m very proud of that,” he said. “We brought technology services into summer camps that didn’t have anything tech-wise.”

After selling his company, he started putting more time into investing, and became a board member and partner of Derek Jeter’s group, which purchased the Miami Marlins back in 2017. Today, Ari spends most of his time at home in New York with his wife, son, and daughter, but he also goes to Miami on occasion.

“The community in Florida is great,” he said. “There are very proud Jews there and there’s freedom in Florida for the Jewish community, which is so nice to see.”

Ari has served as a board member for Hillel, AIPAC, and the UJA, and he was elected as the National Young Leadership Cabinet Co-chair for The Jewish Federations of North America.

“I was always an advocate and serving on boards and giving speeches to the Jewish community,” he said. “I do all that I can.”

Spreading messages through sports – and beyond

Since October 7, Ari has been ramping up his pro-Israel and pro-Jewish messaging on his Instagram, where he has over 20,000 followers. He posts about the mainstream media’s missteps on Israel, combats misinformation and antisemitism, and talks into the camera – usually wearing his signature mustard-colored sunglasses – about the importance of standing up for the Jewish state.

 

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One thing that’s important to him is not just speaking to his fellow Jews.

“I don’t want to be the echo chamber guy who speaks to the same people everybody speaks to,” Ari said.

That’s why he’s been so vocal at the Miami Marlins – he hopes to reach the outside world and ensure they see the truth. Along with the post on October 8, the team also played “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem, at a game this past April.

 

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Though the social media algorithm tries to keep Ari in a certain bubble, he does his best to break down those boundaries.

“Because I have a platform in sports, I have leverage beyond the Jewish community,” he said. “I try to do outreach in sports to people who aren’t so connected. The greatest thing I hear is, ‘I didn’t know this what happened. Thanks for educating me,” or “You’ve inspired me now.’ That not only means I got to them, but also, they are inspired to go and speak the truth to their friends and someone they know. It’s the most satisfying feeling when I know the reach goes beyond the bubble.”

Within the Jewish community, Ari is also excited to serve as a spokesperson.

“It’s important that we see what’s taking place, and I’m honored to help them have a voice so they can speak for themselves,” he said. “I don’t want to minimize that.”

What continues to give Ari hope during this difficult time is seeing the younger generation of Jews stepping up. He knows that they will continue to be activists for the Jewish community and for Israel – the land he so dearly loves.

“There are all these young, proud Jews who aren’t afraid to stand up and fight antisemitism,” he said. “For me, personally, I get the most inspiration when every single Friday night, I light the candles with my wife and children, and we have Shabbat dinner together. It’s beautiful to see my kids learn the same prayers their great-great grandparents said so long ago. That’s what I’m fighting for.”