Aryeh Urist’s life reflects resilience, faith and a commitment to service. Shaped by Torah study, military experience, and dedication to family and community, Aryeh has built a life focused on values and meaningful impact.
Born in Florida in 1987 and raised on Long Island, Aryeh’s upbringing taught him adaptability and respect for diversity. His journey toward observant Judaism began at age 12, when he met Rabbi Howard Diamond while preparing for his bar mitzvah. Rabbi Diamond’s influence laid the groundwork for Aryeh’s spiritual growth, which deepened further at age 16 through Rabbi Jonathan Green, whom he met at NCSY Camp Sports at Ner Israel Yeshiva in Baltimore. (Currently, Rabbi Green is director of the James Striar School of Jewish Studies and a YU Admissions Counselor.) These experiences guided Aryeh to become a Baal Teshuva [a person who returns to Judaism] and embrace a life of Torah and Jewish values.
This path led him to Yeshiva University in 2005, where he pursued Torah learning and academic excellence. He began his studies in the James Striar School of General Jewish Studies (often referred to as the Mechina program) and continued through the Irving I. Stone Beis Medrash Program and Mazer Yeshiva Program, graduating in 2010 with a B.A. in Economics.
During his time at YU, he earned awards in Talmud in 2009 and economics in 2010, and he credits mentors such as Rabbi Heshey Reichman, Rabbi Yitzchok Cohen, Rabbi Dani Rapp and Rabbi Yehudah Willig with instilling values that would guide him forward. Aryeh also formed close friendships with Yossi Landa, his classmate at Yeshivat Torat Shraga (YTS), and David Cohen, his roommate at YU and a fellow alumnus, that remain vital connections in his life.
Following his undergraduate studies, Aryeh began YU’s pilot Master of Science in Quantitative Economics. Although he left the program to join the Army in 2013, this experience laid a strong analytical foundation for his career.
Military Service and a Test of Faith
Aryeh’s military journey began as a Cryptologic Linguist (35P), analyzing signals intelligence across several states. In 2017, he entered the Army’s Green to Gold program and completed the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Basic Officer Leader Course. He later served as a Battalion Signal Officer and Gold Bar Recruiter at City College of New York, supporting unit operations.
In 2019, Aryeh was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served as a Military Intelligence Officer, later detailed as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Officer. Promoted to First Lieutenant in 2022, he took on significant roles, including Brigade Assistant Operations Officer, Battalion Assistant Logistician and Safety Officer. His service included demanding training at the National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center, but one of the most profound challenges he faced occurred during Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in 2018.
During this time, on Tisha B’Av, Aryeh was required to complete a grueling 12-mile ruck march. (For those unfamiliar, a ruck march involves hauling a 65-pound rucksack while carrying full equipment, including a tactical armor vest, helmet and rifle.) Under the summer heat, Aryeh trekked up and down steep hills, enduring intense physical exertion on a day of fasting. Balancing the physical demands of military life with his commitment to Torah was a defining moment, testing his resilience and dedication to his faith under extreme conditions.
Despite these trials, Aryeh’s dedication to his beliefs remained unshaken. He received the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Air Assault Badge. However, he regards Hashem’s blessings and protection over him and his team as the greatest honor of his service.
Life After the Military
Today, Aryeh is a New York State-certified EMT and instructor, where he shares his values of humility and resilience with aspiring EMTs. With an M.B.A. in Marketing and Digital Analytics from Baruch College, he co-founded Getinline, Inc., aligning his work with his values. Together with his wife, Chana, Aryeh finds joy in raising their blended family of eight children—Hadassah, Devorah, Mendel, Sarah, Pinchas, Elchanan, Emunah and Yosef Yehudah—dedicated to a life rooted in Torah, community and gratitude.
Reflecting on his journey, Aryeh is deeply grateful for the mentors, friends and experiences that shaped him, especially his formative years at YU. Above all, he gives thanks to Hashem for every step of his journey and hopes to share his story further in memoirs that delve into his path of faith, resilience and purpose.
