Join Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback as he talks with an eclectic variety of thinkers, artists, and change-makers about their experiences (Jewish or otherwise) and their own search for meaning and purpose in their lives.
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Episodes
Search for Meaning with Jonathan Harounoff
🗣️ Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi welcomes journalist and diplomat Jonathan Harounoff, author of the forthcoming book Unveiled: Inside Iran’s #WomanLifeFreedom Revolt. 📖 In this episode, Jonathan shares the story behind his groundbreaking reporting on Iran’s women-led uprising, sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Jina Amini. His book is built on exclusive interviews with protestors and survivors—painting a powerful picture of resistance, resilience, and hope. 🕍 The conversation also explores Jonathan’s identity as a British-born, Persian-Jewish Israeli—and how that multifaceted lens shapes both his writing and his work as 🇮🇱 Israel’s international spokesperson at the United Nations. 🔥 Themes of faith, freedom, moral clarity, and the role of women in reshaping the future of the Middle East come together in this deeply meaningful episode. 📚 Unveiled is more than journalism—it’s a testimony to human dignity and the power of voice. 🎙️ Tune in—and be inspired.
Search for Meaning with Stephen Cloobeck
Stephen J. Cloobeck joins Rabbi Yoshi for a wide-ranging conversation about business, identity, and public service. Best known as the founder and former CEO of Diamond Resorts, Cloobeck reflects on his Jewish upbringing at Stephen Wise Temple, the influence of his father, and how those early experiences continue to shape his values. They discuss his new book, Facing Hard Truths. Cloobeck also shares why he’s decided to enter the political arena as a candidate for Governor of California in the 2026 election. This episode explores how personal history, faith, and ambition intersect—and what it means to lead with conviction in uncertain times.
Search for Meaning with Dr. Arnold Eisen
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 absence in our lives. Dr. Eisen shares insights from his lifelong engagement with Jewish thought and spiritual practice, offering reflections that are both deeply intellectual and vulnerably human. Whether you're wrestling with questions of belief or seeking new language for your own faith journey, this episode offers a meaningful dialogue about how we search for the Divine in a complicated world.
Search for Meaning with Daniel Robbins
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 David and his fiancée Meg, who is preparing to convert to Judaism. As the night unfolds, tensions rise, surprises surface, and laughter and love do battle at the dinner table. At the emotional center of the film is Meg, whose D’var Torah—something she’s been studying with her rabbi as part of her conversion process—is delivered during the meal as a reflection on that week’s Torah portion. Her words, full of insight and heart, speak to the serendipitous nature of life and the power of choosing one’s path with intention and faith. [...]