Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi

In this special live recording from Stephen Wise Temple on May 13, 2025, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with Dr. Arnold Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus of the Jewish Theological Seminary, for a profound and personal conversation about his new book, Seeking the Hiding God: A Personal Theological Essay . Together, they explore themes of theology, doubt, and faith—probing the mystery of God’s presence and...

What do you get when a Shabbat dinner meant to welcome a soon-to-be daughter-in-law turns into a night of secrets, revelations, and unlikely wisdom? You get Bad Shabbos —a comedy with heart, directed by Daniel Robbins and co-written with Zack Weiner . Robbins joins Rabbi Yoshi to discuss his new film set on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where a Jewish family hosts Shabbat dinner for their son...

Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Ambassador Gary Grappo, a former U.S. diplomat and expert on Middle Eastern affairs, for an in-depth and urgent conversation about Israel’s preemptive strike on Iranian military assets and the ensuing conflict between these countries. Drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience—including his service as U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Chief of Staff to the U.S. Special Envoy...

Award-winning comedian and writer Carol Leifer joins Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi for a candid and hilarious conversation about life, legacy, and laughter.  From her groundbreaking start as a stand-up comedian to her acclaimed writing for Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld, Ellen , and Curb Your Enthusiasm , to her recent Emmy and Golden Globe wins for Hacks , Leifer reflects on how her Jewish i...

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Yoshi sits down with David Suissa—Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Tribe Media  and the Jewish Journal —to explore the deep currents shaping Jewish life today. A passionate voice in Jewish media since 2006 and a former award-winning advertising executive, David brings his characteristic insight, warmth, and eloquence to a discussion that touche...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Search for Meaning , Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Yuval David, an Emmy Award and multiple award-winning actor, filmmaker, journalist, and activist. Yuval is known for his innovative and acclaimed series One Actor Short and other original content, ABC’s What Would You Do , FX’s Feud , and numerous television and film roles. He regularly appears as a new...

In this timely episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with Rabbi David Gedzelman, President and CEO of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life . Together, Rabbi Yoshi and Rabbi Gedzelman explore the powerful intersections of Jewish identity, education, culture, and the critical role that visionary leadership plays in shaping the future of Jewish communities both in the Uni...

Episode Title: Adam Mansbach – The Golem of Brooklyn In this episode of Search for Meaning , Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback welcomes Adam Mansbach , best-selling author and cultural provocateur, for a conversation about his latest novel, The Golem of Brooklyn — a darkly comic and fiercely relevant tale that reimagines the legendary Golem in the heart of contemporary America. Known for his sharp wit and lite...

🎙️ “ Wow! Shehecheyanu” – A Joyful Musical Celebration Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Cantor Emma Lutz and Dr. Tali Tadmor to explore the heart and harmony behind their brand-new children’s album, Wow! Shehecheyanu . Produced by Pam Autuori and featuring the incredible Stephen Wise Temple Band , the album is a vibrant, soulful tribute created in honor of the grand opening of the Aaron Milken Center ....

“Noa" and "Omri" (not their real names), two soldiers from the Sky Rider Unit , an elite unit of the IDF known for its precision and critical role in intelligence gathering, share their experiences since October 7 , offering a rare, firsthand perspective on the challenges they’ve faced and the moral complexities of modern warfare. Noa and Omri speak candidly about the Sky Riders’ co...

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback speaks with acclaimed author Ayelet Tsabari about her latest book, Songs for the Brokenhearted —a moving exploration of grief, identity, and the human spirit. They also delve into Ayelet’s poignant New York Times opinion piece , where she reflects on the sacred act of cleaning the homes of those massacred on October 7 , and how this intimate ritual became a form of solace and...

In this deeply moving conversation, Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Jonathan York —lawyer, artist, and creator of The Sukkah Project , a powerful tribute to the events of October 7 . Jonathan reflects on how memory shapes our personal and collective identities, sharing insights from his own journey growing up at Stephen Wise Temple and how those formative experiences continue to influence his work toda...

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback interviews Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue about his inspiring new book, "For Such a Time as This: Being Jewish Today." Together, they dive into the challenges and opportunities of post-October 7 Judaism, the power of stepping up, showing up, and making a meaningful difference, and the enduring importance of Jewish community in these turbulent times. D...

Rabbi David A. Ingber is the founding rabbi of Romemu, the largest Renewal synagogue in the United States. He was recently appointed the Senior Director of Jewish Life at 92NY in Manhattan. Rabb Ingber shares some of the Torah and wisdom that has helped bring him inspiration over the past year. To learn more about his work, visit https://romemu.org/

Dafna Admati and Yarden Tzemach grew up on Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the communities hit hardest in the attacks of October 7: more than 95 community members were murdered and 30 taken hostage. They describe what happened to their beautiful, idyllic kibbutz on that day and over the past year.  To learn more about how you can help with the rebuilding efforts, visit: https://www.rebuildbeeri.org/

Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Gary Grappo, former U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Chief of Staff of the Quartet, and foreign policy expert with more than four decades of experience in the Middle East. Ambassador Grappo helps us understand the situation in Syria, the rise of Hay's Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani.

Rabbi Josh Feigelson was appointed Executive Director of IJS in January 2020 and became President & CEO in April 2022. He received ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School in 2005, and served for six years as the Hillel Rabbi at Northwestern University, where he also earned a PhD in Religious Studies. In 2011, Josh helped found and served as Executive Director of Ask Big Quest...

If you want to learn what it's like to be one of Los Angeles' most sought-after professional guitarists and a USC Professor all while staying true to your Jewish roots and love for Israel, you won't want to miss this latest episode! Get ready for a soulful, inspiring conversation as Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with acclaimed guitarist and Professor of Studio Guitar for USC's...

Rabbi Yoshi shares his Yom Kippur Yizkor sermon which honors the memory of his mother, Hermene Davis Zweiback, who died 25 years ago. A few weeks before the Jewish New Year while cleaning up around the house, Rabbi Yoshi came across the gratitude journal his mom kept in the last month of her life. The sermon is a reflection on the lessons it contains.  While it's a very personal remembrance,...

Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Peter Himmelman, a Grammy and Emmy nominated singer-songwriter, visual artist, best-selling author, film composer, entrepreneur, and rock and roll performer with over 20 critically acclaimed recordings to his credit. They talk about the creative process, songwriting, sacred memory, love, Israel, and Jewish identity. They also discuss Peter's new book, "Suspende...

Rabbi Yoshi's Rosh Hashanah Sermon for 5785, delivered at Stephen Wise Temple on the evening of October 2, 2024. Learn about the life of Naftali Herz Imber, author of the poem "Tikvoseinu" that became "HaTikvah," the text of the anthem of the Zionist movement, the State of Israel, and the Jewish People. At the dawn of this New Year, we need hope perhaps more than ever. You...

Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi of Ikar in Los Angeles, joins Rabbi Yoshi for a conversation focusing on her new book, "The Amen Effect." In a time of loneliness and isolation, social rupture and alienation, Rabbi Brous suggest ways that we can mend our broken hearts and rebuild our society. Rabbi Brous also shares about the ways that she has tried to navigate these challenging months s...

Maor and Yossi Levy join Rabbi Yoshi to tell the story of the community of Kibbutz Eilon, just a few miles from the border with Lebanon. Their family, along with tens of thousands of other Israelis, has had to evacuate their home due to almost constant shelling from Hezbollah. Maor and Yossi share how the experience of the last many months has affected their family. Stay tuned and be inspired.

Join Rabbi Yoshi for a conversation with one of his childhood mentors and teachers, Rabbi Michael Zedek. Rabbi Zedek talks about his journey to the rabbinate and his new book, " Taking Miracles Seriously ." Learn more about Rabbi Zedek's teaching and work at:  https://rabbimichaelzedek.com/

Arielle Yael Mokhtarzadeh is a first generation Iranian American Jewish leader and advocate. She serves as Co-President of 30 Years After, a nonpartisan nonprofit committed to ensuring the Iranian American Jewish future by cultivating identity, convening community, and catalyzing leadership. She also serves on the Board of the Magbit Foundation, a nonprofit that provides interest-free loans and sc...