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 Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh and Rabbi Yoshi
In celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback welcomes the first female native Farsi speaker to become a rabbi, Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh. A leader, a brilliant educator, and a trailblazer as a Persian female rabbi, Rabbi Rabizadeh began both her educational and professional journey at Wise. The daughter of Iranian immigrants, she grew up at what was then Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School. When she matriculated across the freeway to Milken Community High School, she was unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. She was good at art, but didn't want to be an artist. Her parents wanted her to go to law school, but she didn't want to be a lawyer. At the age of 15, though, she took a class with Rabbi Sharon Brous. Inspired by Rabbi Brous's patient, thoughtful approach to Jewish studies and Jewish education, she decided then [...]
Search for Meaning with musician Elana Arian, Senior Cantor Emma Lutz, and Rabbi Yoshi
After her soulful performance during Stephen Wise Temple's Friday-night Shabbat services, singer, songwriter, and composer Elana Arian joins Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Senior Cantor Emma Lutz for this edition of "Search for Meaning" to discuss her musical journey. From cassette recordings of four-part harmonies with her musical family during her days as a "faculty brat" at the URJ Kutz Camp, Elana has morphed from a classical musician to a secular folk singer to now one of the preeminent voices in modern Jewish music. As she sits down and riffs with Emma, the two buzz with energy when talking about harmonizing and improvisation, the influence of Debbie Friedman, the excitement and beauty of the High Holy Days, and Divine inspiration.
Search for Meaning with author Dara Horn and Rabbi Yoshi
After a thought-provoking community read at Stephen Wise Temple last week, celebrated author Dara Horn sits down with Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback to discuss her latest book, "People Love Dead Jews." Regarding the book's popularity, Horn tells Rabbi Yoshi “I wished people liked it a little less because what I’ve discovered is that I was more right than I thought I was.” Join Rabbi Yoshi for his conversation with Horn that includes some of the disturbing conversations the book has inspired, the insidiousness of Holocaust inversion, and the recent alarming rise in antisemitism.
Search for Meaning with Jonathan Shapiro and Rabbi Yoshi
Join Rabbi Yoshi for a conversation with Emmy and Peabody Award winning writer Jonathan Shapiro. After representing the United States as a prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office, then working in private practice and politics, Shapiro sent a script to David E. Kelly for consideration on one of his favorite shows, The Practice. Shapiro has collaborated with Kelly ever since, most recently on Goliath staring Billy Bob Thorton. Learn about Shapiro's journey and what brings him meaning in his life. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE