In 1971, at the age of 14, Ari moved to Israel with his family. He attended Midrashiat Noam Pardes Channa high school and Bar Ilan University in Israel. He came back to the United States and worked at United Mizrachi Bank for 10 years rising to the position of head trader. At the same time he gave a weekly class in Parshat Hashavua for employees.
Since 1993, Ari has been working at Cantor Fitzgerald.
In 1986 he helped start Tomchei Shabbos of the Five Towns and Rockaway, an organization that delivers weekly food packages to poor families. Current number of families serviced totals 250 and current annual budget is over $250,000.
Ari has been leading the morning services on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur since 1988 at Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater.
He and his wife Joyce were honored by the Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater in 1989 at their annual dinner.
In 1990 was Ari was elected president of The Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater.
He is a member of Partners in Torah, teaching and learning with beginners in Judaism on a weekly basis.
Ari was honored by JEP (Jewish Education Program) Long Island in 2001 at their annual Dinner.
After September 11, 2001, his miraculous story was written up in many newspapers and magazines. His story was also recorded in many books including “Small Miracles” and “Even in the Darkest Moments”.
Since September 11, 2001, Ari has been speaking to a wide array of audiences nationally and internationally about the events and ramifications of that day.
Ari currently lives in Cedarhurst, Long Island with his wife, Joyce and 5 children, Chani, Rikki, Baruch, Avrumi & Yoni.