Joshua Wander
Birth placeMcKeesport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Birth date1970 (age 56–57)
OccupationPublic Relations Consultant
Political partyRepublican
WebsiteBringthemHome.org.il

Joshua Wander is an American born Israeli rabbi,[1] aliyah activist, and former ZAKA spokesman.[2][3] He is known for his work with ZAKA, Israel’s search and rescue and disaster response organization, and for founding the aliyah advocacy group Bring Them Home, which encourages the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to Israel.[4] Wander has also been active in public safety and emergency preparedness, appearing on the reality television program Doomsday Preppers[5] and maintaining a disaster preparedness blog.[6] Previously, he was the Republican nominee for Mayor of Pittsburgh in 2013 general election[7] and has held roles in public relations,[8] writing,[9][10] and Jewish education. He is also a public relations consultant representing projects in, and around the Old City of Jerusalem.[11] He recreated the Chatzotzrot bringing them back into existence after a 2000 year hiatus.[12]

Early life and education

Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania,[13] Wander graduated from a rabbinical college in Israel with a Bachelor of Talmudic Law and subsequently earned a Masters in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Wander studied at Ner Yisrael in Baltimore and the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem.[14] Wander served as an IDF commander in Lebanon and officer in the auxiliary US Air Force.[12] Wander served in the Israel Defense Forces and later in the IDF reserves, including service connected to emergency management roles.[15]

Career

Wander served as an advisor in the Knesset and also worked for the Jerusalem Post.[12][16]

Chatzotzrot

Wander worked on bringing back the silver trumpets that Israel was commanded to blow in times or trouble and when going out to war. After extensive planning, preparation and supervision, the trumpets were made and on Tisha B’Av in 2024, the trumpets were blown for the first time in 2000 years.[17] Since then, Wander has blown them at a number of auspicious events including when Israel went out to war against Hamas. A book was written about Wander and his recreation of the Trumpets.[18]

ZAKA

Wander has been involved with ZAKA, Israel’s volunteer search, rescue, and recovery organization, for over a decade as a volunteer in its chesed shel emet (true kindness) and international search and rescue units.[19] He also served as ZAKA’s international spokesman during part of 2023.[20] Following the Hamas led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Wander was active in recovery and identification efforts in affected communities alongside other ZAKA volunteers.[21] In interviews published in international media, he described the scale and difficulty of the work recovering civilian bodies in areas hit by the attacks, noting the intensity of destruction and the emotional challenges faced by volunteers.[22] In coverage of the early days of the conflict, media outlets reported Wander commenting on ZAKA teams’ work clearing bodies in locations such as Kibbutz Be’eri, emphasizing the extensive and somber task of recovering the dead amid ongoing violence.[23]

ZAKA, the organization with which Wander has long been affiliated, has responded to major disasters including the Hurricane Harvey,[24][25] the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting,[26] the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302,[27] the Surfside condominium collapse, humanitarian missions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes and the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting.[28]

Emergency Preparedness and Media Appearances

Wander gained national attention with his 2014 appearance on the National Geographic Channel’s Doomsday Preppers, where he showcased his family’s disaster planning, including kosher long term food storage and regular preparedness drills.[6][29] He has emphasized that his focus is on practical readiness for a range of possible emergencies, not on belief in apocalyptic scenarios, and has publicly refuted sensationalized portrayals of preppers.[30] Through his advocacy, he has engaged Jewish communities in discussions about emergency preparedness tailored to observant lifestyles, promoting skills such as networking, self-sufficiency, and family safety planning.[31]

Aliyah advocacy

In 2019, Wander founded the organization Bring Them Home, which focuses on encouraging Aliyah by educating Jewish communities in the Diaspora about immigration to Israel and promoting relocation through conferences, media engagement, and grassroots outreach.[14] Bring Them Home describes its mission as providing resources and educational material on the importance of living in the Land of Israel.[32] As part of these outreach efforts, Wander moderated and organized Aliyah-focused conferences and forums aimed at fostering dialogue on increasing Jewish immigration to Israel.[33] Coverage in Israeli media has connected these initiatives with broader efforts by Aliyah activists and volunteers to promote Jewish immigration and education about life in Israel.[34]

Writing

In addition to his public activities, Wander is recognized for his prolific writing[35][36][37] and international speaking engagements. He has authored hundreds of articles on topics including Zionism, Aliyah,[38][39] Jewish identity, and contemporary geopolitical trends, which are published across a variety of platforms and read internationally.[40][41] Wander has also been invited to address audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Israel, speaking on issues related to Jewish destiny and the contemporary significance of Geula (redemption).[42][43]

Attempt to revive the Sanhedrin

Wander has also been involved with initiatives connected to the modern effort to re-establish the Sanhedrin, a project launched in 2004 by a group of rabbis seeking to revive the ancient Jewish high court in Israel. The initiative aimed to recreate a rabbinical body of seventy one judges based on interpretations of Jewish law regarding the restoration of semikhah (rabbinic ordination). Wander has participated in activities and discussions associated with the movement, which has generated debate within Israeli religious and secular circles since its founding.[44]

Red Heifers

Joshua Wander has also been involved in initiatives related to the search for a biblically valid red heifer (parah adumah), an animal required by Jewish law for the ritual purification process described in the Book of Numbers. He has participated in educational programs and public discussions on the subject,[45] including a webinar on the history and significance of the red heifer organized by Israel365 News.[46] In addition, Wander has been associated with efforts surrounding the importation of several red heifers from Texas to Israel in 2022 as part of a broader project linked to preparations for potential future Temple service. According to participants in the initiative, early discussions about bringing red heifers to Israel were held informally among activists and supporters, including conversations that reportedly took place at Wander’s home.[47]

Korban Pesach initiatives

Wander has also been involved in initiatives supporting efforts to renew the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice), an ancient ritual that has not been practiced in Rabbinic Judaism since the destruction of the Second Temple.[48][49] In recent decades, various religious activist groups and organizations have promoted preparations for renewing the sacrifice, including educational reenactments, public demonstrations, and petitions to Israeli authorities to permit its performance on the Temple Mount.[50]

Political campaigns

Wander served as constable of White Oak, Pennsylvania and as an Allegheny County Republican committee member.[51] He has run, unsuccessfully, twice for Mayor of Pittsburgh, and once for both Pittsburgh City Council and for Allegheny County Council.[52][53] In the 2013 election for Mayor of Pittsburgh, Wander was the Republican nominee in a race widely regarded by political observers as a long-shot, given that the city had not elected a Republican mayor since 1933.[54] Media coverage at the time characterized his candidacy as a symbolic or message campaign rather than a competitive bid for office.[55] During the campaign, Wander publicly acknowledged the difficulty of winning as a Republican in Pittsburgh and made remarks reflecting the improbability of victory, which were reported in local media.

Less than two months before the election, while still the Republican nominee, Wander relocated with his family to Israel after selling his home in Pittsburgh. He stated that he intended to continue his campaign remotely, although legal and logistical questions about campaigning from abroad were raised by election experts in local press coverage.[51][56] Wander received approximately 11.5% of the vote in the general election.[57]

Personal life

Wander is married with six children. Wander lives on the Mount of Olives and volunteers as a paramedic.[12][58] He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Israel. He is a certified NRA arms instructor and gun rights advocate.[59]

Doomsday Preppers

In an episode of the National Geographic Channel program Doomsday Preppers, Wander was quoted as saying that he was concerned "about a series of catastrophic terrorist attacks which will fundamentally change our lives as we know them."[60] Wander maintained a blog titled "Jewish Preppers" where he wrote about disaster preparedness for Jews.[61]

References

  1. ^ Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu (7 November 2024). "90 Orthodox Rabbis Endorse Trump and Praise His Victory". Israel365 News
  2. ^ "Video shows apparent death of Israeli hostages in Hamas custody". Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Fighting and rhetoric intensify as third day of Israel-Hamas war ends". The Washington Post. 2023-10-09. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  4. ^ "Aliyah Commandos fight to bring North American Jews home". The Jerusalem Post. 2024-06-15. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  5. ^ David, Shamah (20 December 2012). "'Prepping' for the day after the end of the world". Times of Israel. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  6. ^ Groner, Miriam (2020-06-07). "Pandemics, riots & no kosher food: The doomsday scenarios of an Orthodox prepper". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  7. ^ "Ballotpedia: Josha Wander". Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  8. ^ News, Heritage Florida Jewish. "Why Israelis aren't as worked up about the Western Wall as Diaspora Jews". Heritage Florida Jewish News. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  9. ^ Wander, Joshua. "Joshua Wander". Israel365 News. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  10. ^ Kaur, Jagminder (2024-01-26). "Doomsday Preppers Season 2: Where Are They Now?". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  11. ^ "Adopt a United Hatzalah Medic". Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  12. ^ "About FAQ". Chatzotzrot. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Josh Wander, from mayoral candidate to cross-cultural medic". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Bring Them Home". Bring Them Home. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Blood, ashes, and heroes: Inside the gut-wrenching reality of Israel's darkest day". Calcalist. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Republican Mayoral Candidate Promises 'Real Change' in City Government". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  17. ^ "First in 2000 Years: Silver Temple Trumpets Sounded on Temple Mount". ISRAEL 365 News. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Chatzotzrot - The Trumpets of the Bible". ISRAEL 365 Store. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  19. ^ Groner, Miriam (2020-06-07). "Pandemics, riots & no kosher food: The doomsday scenarios of an Orthodox prepper". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  20. ^ "Blood, ashes, and heroes: Inside the gut-wrenching reality of Israel's darkest day". ctech. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  21. ^ "ABC News live interview"
  22. ^ Tan, Kwan Wei Kevin. "A volunteer in Israel says the Gaza region looks like the set of a horror movie now, with 'burnt-out cars' and 'bodies strewn all across the road'". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  23. ^ "Fighting and rhetoric intensify as third day of Israel-Hamas war ends". The Washington Post. 2023-10-09. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  24. ^ JTA, Par. "Ouragan Harvey : une équipe de ZAKA aide au nettoyage des dégâts à Houston" (in fr-FR). fr.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  25. ^ "Jewish texts only survivors in devastated Houston home". The Jerusalem Post. 2017-09-07. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  26. ^ JTA (2018-10-28). "Jewish volunteers enter Pittsburgh synagogue to prepare bodies for burial". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  27. ^ Staff, ToI (2019-09-11). "Remains of second Israeli victim of Ethiopian Airlines crash identified". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  28. ^ Smilk, Carin M. (2025-12-15). "ZAKA team deploys to Sydney to handle victim remains post-shooting". JNS.org. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  29. ^ "Doomsday Preppers: You've got chaos"
  30. ^ "Rep. Mayoral Candidate Talks Politics, Refutes "Doomsday Prepper" Label - CBS Pittsburgh". www.cbsnews.com. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  31. ^ "QSO Today with Joshua Wander 4X4BB". QSO TODAY AMATEUR RADIO PODCAST. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  32. ^ "'Send Us': Aliyah activists urge state to work together for immigration". Israel National News. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  33. ^ Gordon, Baruch. "Emergency Conference to Demand an Aliyah Overhaul". Israel National News. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  34. ^ "Aliyah Commandos fight to bring North American Jews home". The Jerusalem Post. 2024-06-15. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  35. ^ "Josh Wander's Blog". Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  36. ^ "Josh Wander's Blog". Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  37. ^ Wander, Rabbi Josh (2025-12-30). "Rabbi Josh Wander | The Jewish Edition". Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  38. ^ "Aliyah Now! ABOUT". Israel Aliyah - Bring Them Home. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  39. ^ Wander, Rabbi Josh (2025-12-20). "The Two Traumas I Carry | The Jewish Edition". Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  40. ^ Wander, Joshua. "Joshua Wander". Israel365 News. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  41. ^ Wander, Rabbi Josh. "The Draft Debate masks a deeper divide". Israel National News. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  42. ^ Israel Torah (2024-07-02). Josh Wander on Aliyah. Retrieved 2025-11-26. – via YouTube.
  43. ^ Nishmat Kol Chai: Rabbi Josh Wander: Moshiach is here! Now what are we going to do about it?. Retrieved 2025-11-26. – via www.youtube.com.
  44. ^ "One Man's Quest for the End of the World Started on a Ranch in Texas". Texas Monthly
  45. ^ Trivett, Abby (2025-09-19). "Secrets of the Mount of Olives: The Truth Behind the Temple Mount and the Red Heifer Sacrifice". Charisma Magazine Online. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  46. ^ Schwartz, Zahava (2025-03-19). "Free Webinar: Master Class in Red Heifer, Past, Present, and Future". Israel365 News. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  47. ^ Christians Vs Jews: Are We Allies Or Are We Enemies? Do Gentiles Have A Place In The Third Temple???. Retrieved 2026-03-08. – via www.youtube.com.
  48. ^ Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz (2026-03-29). Paschal Lamb: ready for action NOW!!!!. Retrieved 2026-04-06. – via YouTube.
  49. ^ Rafi Farber (2026-04-05). Passover Special - What Happens First, Hormuz Opens or Third Temple Built?. Retrieved 2026-04-06. – via YouTube.
  50. ^ "Living Under Missile & Rocket Fire – LIVE – The Tamar Yonah Show". Israel News Talk Radio. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
  51. ^ Bauder, Bob (15 September 2013). "Mayoral candidate Wander sold Pittsburgh home, currently in Israel". Pittsburgh Tribune. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  52. ^ "Pittsburgh's Republican mayoral candidate Josh Wander pushes message of 'choice' - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Archived from the original on 2013-08-20.
  53. ^ Brode, Noah (2013-05-22). "Republican Mayoral Candidate Promises 'Real Change' in City Government". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  54. ^ "Lone Republican mayoral candidate knows odds stacked against him | Allegheny Co. News - WTAE Home". Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  55. ^ "American-Israeli running for mayor of Pittsburgh... from Israel". The Jerusalem Post. 2013-10-16. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  56. ^ "Pittsburgh mayoral candidate out of country, campaigning in absentia". WTAE. 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  57. ^ "Joshua Wander". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  58. ^ "Josh Wander, from mayoral candidate to cross-cultural medic"
  59. ^ Groner, Miriam. "Pandemics, riots & no kosher food: The doomsday scenarios of an Orthodox prepper". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  60. ^ "National Geographic TV Shows, Specials & Documentaries". Archived from the original on November 16, 2012.
  61. ^ O'Toole, James (18 August 2013). "Pittsburgh's Republican mayoral candidate Josh Wander pushes message of 'choice'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 20 January 2014.