Rabbi Yoshi Speaks on LAist Radio in Wake of Hamas Attack on Israel
On the morning of Oct. 9, 2023, Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback appeared on the radio with LAist on 89.3 FM. With host Larry Mantle, Rabbi Yoshi discussed the impact of Hamas's terrorist attack against Israel—indeed, as Rabbi Yoshi says, a pogrom—on the wider Jewish community. The lightly-edited transcript is below: Larry Mantle From Stephen Wise Temple is Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback. Thank you very much Rabbi Zweiback [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, October 9, 2023: “Es Brent,” It Burns: Grab a Bucket and Douse the Flames
"Es Brent," It Burns: Grab a Bucket and Douse the FlamesBy Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback The following is the text of Rabbi Yoshi's speech on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at the Los Angeles Jewish Community Vigil for Israel sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, and area synagogues and other Jewish institutions I wish we were gathering for a different occasion, under [...]
Stephen Wise Temple Clergy Respond: Hamas Attacks Israel
Dear friends,We awoke this morning to the devastating news of war in Israel. In a brazen, surprise attack, Hamas terrorists, apparently aided by Iran, have killed more than 100 Israelis. Hundreds more have been injured. News outlets are reporting that hostages have been abducted to Gaza.Our friends in Israel are telling us what no doubt your friends and family are telling you: the situation in the communities in the south near Gaza is quite dire, the likes [...]
Search for Meaning With Lisa Niver
In this edition of his Search for Meaning podcast, Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback hosts travel writer, author, podcaster, and Stephen Wise Temple Board member Lisa Niver, who just released her memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. Lisa's memoir debuted as the top solo travel title on Amazon.com when it released on Sept. 19. Her podcast, Make Your Own Map, launched [...]
The 30th Anniversary of Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s Kavod Tzedakah Collective: Three Sessions of Heroes and Teaching
Thirty years ago, while still a rabbinical student in Israel, Stephen Wise Temple's Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and a group of fellow students established the Kavod Tzedakah Fund. To celebrate Kavod's three decades of tikkun olam (repairing the world), Rabbi Yoshi and Kavod are offering a special three-session class this month, hosted by A Tree With Roots. October 15: Torah study with RABBI YOSHI ZWEIBACK, our mentor and teacher DANNY SIEGEL, and a discussion with RABBI [...]
Special Shabbat Speakers Come to Wise: Maj. Gen. Nadav Padan and Ben M. Freeman
This fall, Wise will host two special guest speakers for Shabbat Evening Services in our historic Westwood Sanctuary. Thanks to the Friends of the IDF, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan will speak to our congregation on Friday, Nov. 3. One week later, Ben M. Freeman—founder of the Jewish Pride Movement—will give a d'var Torah on the importance of the weekly Torah reading. Friday, Oct. 27 [...]