In this episode of Search for Meaning, host Yoshi Zweiback sits down with dear friend and esteemed spiritual leader Rabbi Sydney Mintz. Rabbi Mintz, longtime rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco and founder of the 13th Tribe community, brings her unique blend of rabbinic insight, performance art, and lived experience to the conversation.After touching on her creative work—including her one-woman show You May Think I’m Funny, But It’s Not—the discussion turns to her recent High Holy Day sermon, a deeply personal reflection on her love for Israel and the complexities of wrestling with one’s Zionism. It’s an invitation to imagine a Zionist tent that is broad, diverse, and alive with thoughtful engagement.This episode offers honesty, heart, and hope at a moment that calls for all three.🔗 Watch Rabbi Mintz’s sermon here: https://youtu.be/-guvY9As64w?si=9Z7e78ZoyYayV79rProduced by Amy Shelby • Engineered by Raz HusanyStay tuned and be inspired.
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Search for Meaning with Rania Fadel Dean
In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback speaks with Rania Fadel Dean, a leader of the Druze community in Los Angeles and founder of Covenant of Blood (Brit Damim).Together they explore the unique history and religion of the Druze people, their deep integration into Israeli society, and the “covenant of blood” that binds the Druze and Jewish communities through shared sacrifice and loyalty. Rania also sheds light on the persecution of Druze communities in Syria, including the tragic violence in Sweida, and shares how her work through Covenant seeks to amplify Druze voices and build bridges of understanding across cultures.It’s a moving conversation about identity, resilience, and the power of solidarity in times of crisis.Stay tuned and be inspired.
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Search for Meaning with Abigail Pogrebin and Rabbi Dov Linzer
What happens when a Reform journalist and an Orthodox rabbi spend years studying Torah together? In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback welcomes Abigail Pogrebin and Rabbi Dov Linzer to talk about their new book, It Takes Two to Torah.Drawing from very different backgrounds—Abby, the daughter of feminist thinker Letty Pogrebin, who grew up in a more assimilated Jewish home, and Dov, who was raised in a Modern Orthodox community, immersed in hours of daily Talmud study—they share how their partnership has shaped their lives, their faith, and their understanding of Torah.The conversation explores questions of determinism and Tikkun Olam, wrestles with challenging texts like the Sotah ritual in Parshat Naso, and highlights how studying Torah across lines of difference can transform both individuals and communities.Engaging, candid, and deeply thoughtful, this episode is a celebration of what becomes possible when we open ourselves to dialogue and discovery—together.https://www.mvpublishers.org/product-page/it-takes-two-to-torah
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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 identity was paradoxically strengthened by attending a Christian school in Atlanta, which prompted him to ask fundamental questions about who he was and what he believed.Our conversation takes a profound turn when discussing the current moment of heightened antisemitism and global conflict. Writing during and after October 7th, 2023, Kutner experienced a creative paralysis that forced him to reconsider his approach to Jewish history. What emerged was a deeper appreciation for the Jewish tradition of holding multiple truths simultaneously—acknowledging both suffering and resilience, recognizing both grief and joy.Perhaps most fascinating is Kutner's creative approach to biblical stories, reimagining characters like Abraham, Sarah, and Moses in modern contexts like group therapy sessions or personal diaries. These exercises in empathy allow readers to connect with ancient stories in fresh, meaningful ways while honoring the tradition's inherent complexity.Whether you're seeking perspective during difficult times or simply curious about how comedy can illuminate profound truths, this conversation offers both comfort and challenge—reminding us that sometimes, the most serious thing we can do is laugh.Learn more at https://www.robkutner.com/.
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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.
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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