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 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. [...]
Search for Meaning with Ambassador Gary Grappo – Israel/Iran War
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 to the Middle East Quartet, and senior postings in Jerusalem, Riyadh, and Baghdad—Ambassador Grappo offers a deeply informed analysis of the current crisis, its historical roots, and the broader implications for diplomacy, regional security, and U.S. foreign policy. Their conversation explores the strategic calculations driving both nations, the risks of further escalation, and the urgent need for clear-eyed diplomacy in one of the most combustible regions in the world. It’s a compelling and essential episode for anyone seeking insight into the unfolding conflict and its [...]
Search for Meaning with Carol Leifer
Carol Leifer on Jewish Identity, Comedy, and Living Authentically 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 identify, family roots—including a father who was the household “tumler”—and her personal journey as a gay woman in Hollywood have shaped her voice and career. Carol also discusses her brand-new book, How to Write a Funny Speech for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go to in the First Place—a laugh-out-loud guide for anyone who's ever been asked to speak in public and wished they hadn’t. With [...]