Gary Rudoren is an actor and writer, known for A Really Lapsed Catholic (comedy special) (2020), Comedy by the Numbers (2009) and Brainwarp: The Baby Eater (1993). In the latest episode of Search for Meaning, he chats with Rabbi Yoshi about comedy, theatre, his time in Israel, and much more. LISTEN NOW

 Hagar, Sarah, and R.B.G. by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback Our Torah reading for Rosh HaShanah relates the story of Sarah and Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael out of their home. As you’ll remember, this first Jewish couple was initially unable to conceive. Hagar serves as a surrogate, giving birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s first born son.  Years later, God fulfills the promise made long ago to Abraham and Sarah. As the first line of today’s portion makes clear: וַֽיהוָ֛ה פָּקַ֥ד אֶת־שָׂרָ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמָ֑ר “God remembered Sarah as God had promised…” Sarah conceives - miraculously, she’s 90 years old - and gives birth to Isaac. Some time later, she sees Isaac and Ishmael playing together and for some reason - not made entirely clear by the Torah - she asks her husband Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away which, though troubled about, he does. Abraham gives them some bread and water [...]

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner is the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism - as such, he is the leading voice in our movement for tikkun olam, social justice, and for creating a better world. In a meaningful pre-High Holy Days discussion, Rabbi Pesner spoke with Rabbi Yoshi about Israel and the UAE, racial justice and engagement with Jews of color, voting rights in America, and so much more. LISTEN NOW

Dear friends, Tuesday, September 15, was an historic occasion. The Prime Minister of Israel and representatives of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates officially opened normal relations, signing diplomatic agreements at a White House ceremony hosted by President Trump. While full details of what is being called the “Abraham Accords” have yet to be released, this is an important and much welcomed step on the long road to peace in the Middle East. It is, in some ways, sad that such a development is cause for celebration. After all, formally recognizing the existence of a country that is more than seven decades old seems rather trivial. But it’s not a trivial matter at all. It is quite significant: Bahrain and the UAE are only the third and fourth Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel and many experts predict that this will lead to more exciting announcements in the months [...]