Rabbi Shmuel Yeshayahu, a Chabad Shliach in Vancouver, Canada, and business executive and engineer Daniel Friedmann have released a new book aimed at helping readers discover a sense of purpose and translate it into practical action.

Their new book, Your Calling: Moving Forward from Here and Now, addresses a question Rabbi Yeshayahu says he has encountered repeatedly through years of working with young adults: How does a person find genuine meaning and direction in life?

“During my years on Shlichus, and especially through my many encounters with young people, I see an enormous search for meaning,” Rabbi Yeshayahu said. “The younger generation wants to know not only what career to pursue or how to succeed, but why they are here, what their unique role is, and how they can leave a real impact on the world.”

Rabbi Yeshayahu, who was born in Israel and received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinate of Israel, has served in Vancouver since 2000, providing mentoring, counseling, classes and Jewish programming, particularly for unaffiliated young adults.

He says that while today’s young people possess remarkable talent, creativity and openness, they are also navigating pressures that previous generations did not experience in the same way.

“Social media encourages constant comparison, while an enormous flood of information, opinions and expectations reaches them every day,” he said. “Instead of creating clarity, that abundance can often lead to confusion, loneliness and the feeling that a person is not good enough or does not know where they belong.”

Through his work, Rabbi Yeshayahu said he has seen how a clear sense of purpose can sometimes matter more than talent alone.

“I meet very talented young people who struggle to move forward because they lack a clear sense of purpose,” he said. “On the other hand, I see people who may not be the most talented person in the room, but because they know what they are living for and where they want to go, they accomplish far beyond what others expected of them.”

“Meaning gives a person direction, resilience and the strength to deal with difficulties,” he added. “When a person is connected to their mission, an obstacle does not necessarily become a reason to stop. It can become part of the journey.”

That idea became the foundation for Your Calling, which Rabbi Yeshayahu co-authored with Friedmann, a longtime student and study partner.

Friedmann brings decades of experience in business, engineering and technology to the project. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Sanctuary AI, a company developing general-purpose artificial intelligence for robots. Until 2024, he served as CEO and Chairman of Carbon Engineering, and previously spent 20 years as President and CEO of MDA, a global communications and information company.

He is also a longtime student of religion and a Readers’ Favorite International Book Award winner whose writing combines his business and scientific background with Biblical insights on leadership and purpose.

“I study with my writing partner, Daniel Friedmann, several times a week,” Rabbi Yeshayahu said. “Daniel is someone deeply driven by meaning and mission, and because of his experience in business, science and leadership, he is also connected to the challenges of the broader world.”

The two concluded that there was a need to make Torah wisdom about meaning and purpose accessible even to readers without a background in Judaism.

“The book is intended for Jews at every level of connection and knowledge, but also for non-Jews, so that they too can benefit from the wisdom of Torah and discover through it a life of genuine happiness, meaning and responsibility,” Rabbi Yeshayahu said.

Rather than focusing solely on the philosophical question of what gives life meaning, the authors say the book concentrates heavily on the practical question of how a person can find it.

“This is not only a book of ideas and inspiration,” Rabbi Yeshayahu said. “It offers practical tools for identifying the talents, circumstances, challenges and opportunities that can reveal each person’s unique mission.”

The book focuses on developing resilience and emotional intelligence, navigating uncertainty and major life transitions, making intentional decisions, and learning to move forward without waiting for a complete roadmap.

“There is no need to wait until the entire path becomes clear,” Rabbi Yeshayahu said, citing one of the book’s central ideas: “Even if you cannot yet see how everything fits together or ends, your step matters.”

For Friedmann, the starting point is precisely where a person finds himself now.

“Use what you have already been given and take the first step,” Friedmann said. “From action comes clarity, and from clarity, purpose is revealed.”

“Imperfection is not a flaw. It is a calling,” he added. “It is an open invitation for each of us to step in and make things better. Every person has a mission that only they can fulfill, consisting of two parts: improving ourselves and improving the world.”

Your Calling: Moving Forward from Here and Now is the second book Rabbi Yeshayahu and Friedmann have authored together. Their previous book focused on applying Torah wisdom to the world of business.

The book is available on Amazon.com and bookstores.