Rabbi Richard Steinberg is a Reform Rabbi in Irvine, California and one of the most passionate Zionists in America. As Reform Judaism grapples with internal antizionism and the fundamental role of Zionism to the very core of Jewish identity, Rabbi Steinberg is on the forefront of Zionist advocacy both within the Jewish community and beyond.

On this episode of the Unapologetically Jewish Podcast, Rabbi Richard Steinberg and Shana Meyerson discuss the Jewish connection to Israel and whether or not it is every Jew's responsibility to stand with the Jewish State.

Since 2001, Rabbi Richard Steinberg has transformed Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot into one of Orange County’s thriving Reform Jewish communities, more than doubling its membership from fewer than 300 to over 625 families and building the county’s largest religious school. A passionate educator and visionary community leader, Rabbi Steinberg has made Jewish identity, education, and belonging central to his rabbinate. Under his leadership, the congregation has become a vibrant spiritual home dedicated to making Judaism compelling, relevant, and meaningful across generations.

Ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Steinberg began his rabbinic career at Cincinnati’s historic Isaac M. Wise Temple, a foundational institution of Reform Judaism.

His influence extends well beyond the pulpit. He has served on the Central Conference of American Rabbis Board of Trustees, the CCAR/URJ Placement Commission, and the Orange County Human Relations Commission. He is also a former president of the Orange County Board of Rabbis and has served as chaplain to the Irvine Police Department. Rabbi Steinberg holds advanced degrees in Hebrew Letters and Marriage and Family Therapy and is a licensed psychotherapist.

You can find him at:

🕍 SHIR HA'MA'ALOT: https://www.shmtemple.org/our-clergy

👤 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/richard.steinberg.7

Find Shana at:

✡️ UNAPOLOGETICALLY JEWISH PODCAST: https://youtube.com/@shanameyerson

🪂🤸A PARATROOPER AND A YOGI WALK INTO A BAR PODCAST WITH ANDREW FOX: https://youtube.com/@ParatrooperAndYogi

🇮🇱 YOGA OF WAR PODCAST: https://tinyurl.com/4225f949

✍️ SUBSTACK: https://shanameyerson.substack.com

❌ X: https://x.com/ShanaMeyerson

👤 FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/YOGAthletica

📸 INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/shanaisunapologeticallyjewish

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U.S. foreign aid is a topic of immense discussion right now. Particularly United States foreign aid to Israel. What if I told you that everything you think you know about a supposed $3.8 billion aid package to the Jewish State is wrong and America doesn’t actually send a single dollar to Israel? Ambassador Yoram Ettinger explains how “aid” to Israel really works and what America gets in return.

On this episode of the Unapologetically Jewish podcast, Amb. Yoram Ettinger and Shana Meyerson discuss America’s investment in Israel and the tremendous ROI it brings with it.

✍🏻 YORAM ETTINGER “US ‘FOREIGN AID’ TO ISRAEL? US’ SMARTEST INVESTMENT!”: https://theettingerreport.com/us-foreign-aid-to-israel-us-smartest-investment/

Ambassador Yoram Ettinger is a veteran Israeli diplomat, geopolitical analyst, researcher, and commentator specializing in U.S.-Israel relations, Middle East affairs, and Jewish-Arab demography. He served as Israel’s Congressional Liaison in Washington, D.C., with the rank of Ambassador (1989–1992), Consul General to the Southwestern United States (1985–1988), and Director of Israel’s Government Press Office (1988–1989). With five decades of experience, Ettinger has advised U.S. and Israeli legislators and regularly briefs policymakers on Capitol Hill.

Known for his politically incorrect, evidence-driven perspectives, Ettinger challenges conventional wisdom about Israel’s strategic importance. Central to his work is “What’s in it for the U.S.?” He argues that American military assistance to Israel is not charity but a highly profitable strategic investment, delivering substantial national security, defense, and economic returns. A prolific writer and co-founder of the America-Israel Demographic Research Group, Ettinger also examines Iran, Palestinian statehood, regional instability, and demographic trends.

You can find him at:

🖥️ WEBSITE: theettingerreport.com

🎥 YOUTUBE: .youtube.com/@YoramEttinger

👤 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Yoram.Ettinger

🔗 LINKEDIN: .linkedin.com/in/yoramettinger

❌ X: x.com/YoramEttinger

Find Shana at:

✡️ UNAPOLOGETICALLY JEWISH PODCAST: youtube.com/@shanameyerson

🪂🤸A PARATROOPER AND A YOGI WALK INTO A BAR PODCAST: youtube.com/@ParatrooperAndYogi

🇮🇱 YOGA OF WAR PODCAST: tinyurl.com/4225f949

✍️ SUBSTACK: shanameyerson.substack.com

❌ X: x.com/ShanaMeyerson

👤 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/YOGAthletica

📸 INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/shanaisunapologeticallyjewish