Search for Meaning with Rabbi Yoshi

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
  • 4.9 (28)
  • Judaism
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. Search for Meaning with Ralph Shayne

    Jun 21

    Search for Meaning with Ralph Shayne

    In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback speaks with author Ralph Shayne about his graphic novel Hour of Need: The Daring Escape of the Danish Jews during World War II, illustrated by Danish comics artist Tatiana Goldberg. Inspired by the childhood experience of Shayne’s mother, the book tells the remarkable story of the 1943 rescue of Denmark’s Jewish community. When the Nazis moved to deport Danish Jews, ordinary citizens—neighbors, teachers, clergy, fishermen, and members of the resistance—risked their lives to help more than 7,000 Jews escape across the Øresund Strait to safety in Sweden.  Developed in partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Hour of Need brings this extraordinary chapter of Holocaust history to life through powerful storytelling and evocative illustrations.  In their conversation, Rabbi Zweiback and Shayne explore family memory, Jewish identity, the moral courage of ordinary people, and the unique power of graphic storytelling to bring history to new generations. The episode also reflects on the enduring lessons of Denmark’s rescue effort—and what it means for societies today when individuals choose courage over indifference. Learn more and explore the resources connected to this story: Book: Hour of Need: The Daring Escape of the Danish Jews during World War II https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hour-of-Need/Ralph-Shayne/9781499813579 Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org Educators' Guide

    44 min
  2. Search for Meaning with Reza Farahan

    Jun 8 ·  Video

    Search for Meaning with Reza Farahan

    Reza Farahan is known to millions as the breakout star of Shahs of Sunset. In this candid and moving conversation, Reza joins Rabbi Yoshi to discuss his new book, Memoirs of a Gay Shah, and the remarkable journey that shaped him—from fleeing Iran as a child during the revolution, to navigating life as the son of a Jewish father and Muslim mother, to coming out as a gay man in a deeply traditional culture.  Together, they explore identity, belonging, resilience, and the search for authenticity. Reza reflects on the loneliness of growing up feeling caught between worlds, the pain of rejection, the transformative power of embracing his Jewish identity, and the impact of October 7 on his connection to the Jewish people and Israel. Along the way, he shares hard-earned wisdom about perseverance, gratitude, and his conviction that even life’s greatest hardships can become unexpected gifts.  As Pride Month invites us to celebrate the dignity and worth of every human being, Reza’s story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to live truthfully and the freedom that comes from embracing every part of who we are. His journey—from secrecy and fear to self-acceptance, love, and purpose—offers hope to anyone who has ever wondered whether they truly belong.  This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about courage, self-discovery, and what it means to live fully and unapologetically as yourself. Happy Pride.  https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Gay-Shah-Persian-Bubble/dp/1464218277

    38 min
  3. Search for Meaning with Rabbi Michael Zedek (2)

    May 25 ·  Video

    Search for Meaning with Rabbi Michael Zedek (2)

    In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback welcomes Rabbi Michael Zedek back to the podcast on the occasion of his second book, People Are Like…: Stories for Young Readers and Readers Who Wish to Stay Young. A beloved teacher, storyteller, and rabbi, Rabbi Zedek joins Rabbi Yoshi for a warm and thoughtful conversation about the wisdom hidden in everyday life—and why some of life’s deepest truths are often best conveyed through simple stories. Drawing from the book’s memorable parables about porcupines, dogs, redwood trees, monkeys, and more, the two rabbis explore themes of empathy, connection, resilience, kindness, and spiritual growth. Rabbi Zedek reflects on what children can teach adults, how stories shape moral imagination, and why compassion and community remain at the heart of a meaningful life. The conversation also touches on Rabbi Zedek’s decades of leadership, teaching, interfaith work, and public dialogue, including his many years hosting Religion on the Line. Filled with humor, heart, and gentle wisdom, this episode is both uplifting and deeply grounding. https://ascendbooks.com/publications/people-are-like/

    27 min
  4. Search for Meaning with Lisa Edelstein and Robert Russell

    May 11 ·  Video

    Search for Meaning with Lisa Edelstein and Robert Russell

    In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with actor and painter Lisa Edelstein and artist Robert Russell to discuss their powerful new exhibition, A Palace in Time, at the Skirball Cultural Center. Inspired by Abraham Joshua Heschel’s timeless vision of Shabbat as “a palace in time,” the exhibition explores memory, ritual, Jewish identity, family, love, and the holiness embedded in ordinary moments. Through Russell’s luminous still lifes of ritual objects and Edelstein’s evocative paintings drawn from family photographs, the couple creates an intimate meditation on what we choose to remember—and why. Their conversation with Rabbi Yoshi touches on the relationship between art and spirituality, the emotional impact of October 7, the role of nostalgia in Jewish life, and the experience of creating art as partners in both marriage and creativity. Together, they reflect on how beauty, ritual, and storytelling can help us navigate grief, deepen connection, and reclaim moments of sacred presence in an anxious world. Thoughtful, moving, and deeply human, this episode is an exploration of how art can become both memory and sanctuary.

    28 min
  5. Search for Meaning with Brandon Farbstein

    Apr 27 ·  Video

    Search for Meaning with Brandon Farbstein

    In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with speaker, author, and advocate Brandon Farbstein for a deeply honest and moving conversation about identity, resilience, and what it truly means to belong. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Brandon shares what it was like growing up facing bullying and exclusion — and how those early experiences shaped his sense of self. With candor and insight, he reflects on the inner work it took to move from feeling defined by others’ perceptions to embracing his own voice and purpose. Together, they explore the difference between visibility and belonging, the emotional reality of resilience, and the responsibility that comes with being seen as an inspiration. Grounded in questions of dignity and human connection, this conversation challenges us to reconsider how we see one another — and ourselves. This is a conversation about turning pain into purpose, and about discovering strength in the very places we once felt most vulnerable. https://brandonfarbstein.com/

    42 min
  6. Search for Meaning with Mandana Dayani

    Apr 13 ·  Video

    Search for Meaning with Mandana Dayani

    In this episode, Mandana Dayani joins Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on maintaining a sense of purpose within an increasingly complex world. Drawing on her personal history as an Iranian-born Jewish refugee, Mandana provides a vital human perspective on the impact of regime change and the nuances of Iranian history that often go overlooked. Together, they explore the core values—gratitude, creativity, and community—that anchor her work and life. Key highlights of their discussion include: The "One Mitzvah a Day" Initiative: Exploring how a simple call to action, rooted in Jewish tradition, serves as a practical framework for purposeful living.Identity and Authenticity: A look at the importance of embracing one's full self and finding the courage to navigate significant life transitions.Meaning Amidst Uncertainty: Insights into how we can find opportunities for growth and connection, even when the world feels unpredictable.This conversation is an invitation to live with greater intention and to discover that meaning is often found not by avoiding uncertainty, but by engaging with it. It is a thoughtful reflection on how individual actions can foster a deeper sense of global community. https://www.mandanadayani.com/ One of Mandana's favorite recipes for lemon saffron chicken  More Persian Jewish Food One Mitzvah a Day

    45 min
  7. Search for Meaning with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

    Mar 30 ·  Video

    Search for Meaning with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

    In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback sits down with a colleague and friend, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi of Central Synagogue and author of the powerful new memoir Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging. Together, they explore what it means to live between worlds — culturally, spiritually, and personally — and how the experience of feeling like an outsider can become a source of compassion, resilience, and connection. Drawing on Angela’s story of growing up as the daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and a Jewish American father, the conversation touches on identity, belonging, music, leadership, and the evolving nature of Jewish life in America today. Framed by the timeless question from the Book of Esther — “מי יודע אם לעת כזאת הגעת למלכות” (“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to this moment for just such a time”) — this episode reflects on how our lives, even the parts that feel uncertain or painful, may be preparing us for something meaningful. It’s a conversation about faith, courage, and the sacred work of becoming who we are. To learn more about the book, visit https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697350/heart-of-a-stranger-by-angela-buchdahl/

    47 min
  8. Search for Meaning with Rabbis Ed Feinstein and David Woznica (Part II)

    Mar 16

    Search for Meaning with Rabbis Ed Feinstein and David Woznica (Part II)

    In the second installment of this wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Yoshi continues his dialogue with Rabbi Ed Feinstein and Rabbi David Woznica — turning from personal story to the larger questions pressing on the Jewish community today. Recorded on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, at a moment marked by the return of Ran Gvili, the last hostage, and amid rising antisemitism, deep national division, and growing concern about the health of American democracy, this episode engages the moral and spiritual challenges of our time. The rabbis speak candidly about loving Israel while struggling with its government, about what it means to lead during anxious and polarized times, and about events unfolding in places like Minneapolis that have sparked national debate about law enforcement, immigration policy, and human dignity. They also confront hard questions about the future of the rabbinate — the challenges facing seminaries, the so-called pipeline issue, and what kind of leadership the next generation of Jews will need. This is not a conversation of slogans or simple answers. It is a thoughtful, honest exchange shaped by decades of experience, deep commitment to the Jewish people, and enduring hope for the future. Stay tuned and be inspired.

    40 min
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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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