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 Rob Kutner
How do we find laughter when everything feels too heavy? What role does humor play when we're facing unimaginable challenges? Emmy, Peabody, and Grammy-winning comedy writer Rob Kutner offers surprising wisdom on these questions through the lens of Jewish history and his own creative journey. "I can't solve those problems, nor should I try to, but at least I can give people's brains a break so that they'll have the strength to come back to the problems and solve them or be engaged in them," Kutner reflects. This perspective frames comedy not as escape but as essential mental restoration—something the Jewish people have relied on throughout their 5,000-year history. Kutner's book "The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting" blends sharp wit with deep historical research, creating an accessible entry point to Jewish history that honors both its complexity and its resilience. We explore how his own Jewish [...]
Search for Meaning with Julie Brill
In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with Julie Brill, author of Hidden in Plain Sight: A Family Memoir and the Untold Story of the Holocaust in Serbia. Julie’s book uncovers a little-known chapter of Jewish history, exploring the resilience, struggles, and heritage of the Jewish community in Serbia.Together, they discuss memory, trauma, and the ways stories from the past shape our present. Julie reflects on how the weight of history can grow as we uncover it, yet also how these stories can help us learn to manage, process, and move through trauma. This episode offers profound insights into the power of storytelling, the endurance of memory, and the transformative potential of confronting history.Learn more about Julie Brill and her book at https://www.juliebrill.com
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.