Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase, President & Founder of Ezra’s World, on Uplifting Families and Soulful Leadership
Explanation of her American (Joanie), Hebrew (Yafa), and Ethiopian (Sahainish: “sunshine or light”) namesHow each name represents different aspects of her identity and spiritual mission
Podcast
Overview
In this deeply moving episode of The Brand Called You, host Lisa Lipkin speaks with Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase, President and Founder of Ezra’s World.
Rabbi Yafa shares her extraordinary journey through international development, spiritual leadership, and family empowerment. From her work in Ethiopia and Rwanda to her growing coaching practice rooted in soul wisdom, she explains why poverty—not lack of love—is the primary reason families fall apart.
This conversation explores gratitude, intuition, cultural humility, and the power of supporting local leaders. It is a heartfelt reminder that true change begins by listening—to people, to communities, and to the soul.
00:00:54- What is the significance behind Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase’s name?
Explanation of her American (Joanie), Hebrew (Yafa), and Ethiopian (Sahainish: “sunshine or light”) namesHow each name represents different aspects of her identity and spiritual mission00:03:04- How do names and their stories influence personal transformation?
Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase
discusses working with people to choose new names
Insights into Jewish traditions about changing names for healingThe power of adopting a name that aligns with one’s true self00:04:14- How did Ezra’s World begin and what does it aim to accomplish?
The personal and spiritual journey leading to international adoption in EthiopiaThe heartbreak of witnessing poverty and orphaned childrenThe founding vow: “If there’s something I can do to make a difference, please let me do it.”00:07:24- What’s the approach to supporting families and preventing children from becoming orphans?
Research into causes for families falling apart, with poverty as the primary factorDescription of Ezra’s World’s model: supporting existing effective local organizations instead of imposing outside solutionsHow she vets organizations and travels to ensure impact00:09:19- Why do families fall apart—and is it the same everywhere?
Poverty as the universal cause, both in developing countries and the USHolistic intervention strategies: health care, education, small business support00:10:36- Can Ezra’s World’s programs make a difference? Any examples?
Example: Supporting the salary of a Rwandan community worker, impacting 100 families for only $3,600/yearEmphasis on how “little money can go a long way” in the right hands00:12:13- What’s the difference between tackling poverty locally and abroad?
Similarities in seeking strong local leadershipChallenges: higher costs and different attitudes in the USObservations on societal values attached to poverty in America versus abroad00:15:23- How does Rabbi Yafa’s approach influence her new coaching practice?
Transition from nonprofit work to intimate one-on-one and small group spiritual coachingCore belief: “Every problem can be solved by listening to your inner wisdom”The importance of living from gratitude, love, and joyLearn more about Rabbi Yafa Joanie Tsehaynesh Chase: LinkedIn
How did she end up focusing on keeping families together? Decades of experience in international development and a spiritual calling led her to Ethiopia, where she witnessed heartbreaking poverty and orphaned children. She vowed to make a difference. Share your thoughts in the comments and spread these insights with friends!
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Explanation of her American (Joanie), Hebrew (Yafa), and Ethiopian (Sahainish: “sunshine or light”) namesHow each name represents different aspects of her identity and spiritual mission
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