Richard Hewitt (Risbek)
Untaught views of history, anthropology, and religion presented through ignored portions of scripture's historical account.
Booking Info
Expert In
- Biblical History
- World History
- Asian History
- Theology
- Missiology
Experience
- Guest speaker at symposiums hosted by Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Culture. Organized and presented at Lost Tribes Institute symposiums on the Karbi (Mikir), Karen, Kyrgyz, Mizo and Japanese, and published the proceedings. Nearly 20 years of fieldwork and public engagement in Kyrgyzstan (1994–2013), which led to several books, including Lost Tribes of Israel Found in the Kyrgyz Epic. Led the "Religious Synergy Roundtable" for senior groups across West Los Angeles. Hosts an international interview series with Lost Tribes researchers
- Nearly 20 years of fieldwork and public engagement in Kyrgyzstan (1994–2013), which led to several books, including Lost Tribes of Israel Found in the Kyrgyz Epic.
- Led the "Religious Synergy Roundtable" for senior groups across West Los Angeles.
- Hosts an international interview series with Lost Tribes researchers.
Demo Reel
About Richard Hewitt (Risbek)
Risbek (Richard Hewitt) is an author, artist and researcher who works where history, faith and culture meet. He lived in Kyrgyzstan from 1994 to 2013, where he was given the name "Risbek," and has participated in and organized scientific symposiums across Asia. His years there led to his life's research question: what happened to Israel's 8th-century BC tribes recorded in 2 Kings 17, and why do peoples from Central Asia to Southeast Asia and Japan still tell stories of descent from them?
Through the Lost Tribes Institute, Risbek has written Lost Tribes of Israel Found in the Kyrgyz Epic and published symposium proceedings on the Karbi (Mikir), the Karen, the Japanese, and other peoples with Israelite descent traditions. His latest book, Iran's Biblical History (2026), follows Israel's long encounter with Persia, from the Assyrian exile "in the cities of the Medes" to Iranian believers today. As he puts it, "You can't know Iran without knowing Iran's encounter with the biblical God." He has also written India's Most Popular Man, a study of how Jesus is venerated across India's religious spectrum.
Risbek's work blends scholarship and art. Alongside his books he makes videos, photographs, paintings, songs, poems and music drawn from his research. He also hosts an interview series with Lost Tribes researchers around the world. As a speaker he brings historical sources, field experience and storytelling together, and he tailors each talk to the audience, from churches, synagogues and missions groups to cultural centers, clubs and universities.
Speaking At
Event Types
Audiences
Testimonials
"Religious Synergy on the Silk Road - Discussion Series Reference 1 Richard Hewitt has been offering his interactive “Religious Synergy” discussions for our community at Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens for quite some time and has always been exceptional! As the Resident Program Manager for our community, I look to offer intellectual and engaging events for our community and Richard’s “Religious Synergy” does just that. He dives into relevant theological topics, offering perspectives for all religious backgrounds. His interaction with the audience encourages purposeful participation from all who attend. Richard’s communication in the scheduling and timing of his discussions has always been professional and punctual. We at Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens encourage and recommend Richard to host his “Religious Synergy” discussions for any audience and look forward to hosting him at our community for many years to come! Nick Jacobsen Resident Program Manager Brookdale Senior Living – Santa Monica Gardens Reference 2 Richard Hewitt for the past two years has been delighting our Residents at Brookdale, a private Independent and Assisted Living Senior Community, with his series of enlightening lectures about the Religious Synergy found in our three great faiths. His lectures are both knowledgeable, well researched and entertaining, provoking debate. I cannot recommend him more highly for any lecturer position. Brookdale is the largest US Senior Living Corporation with 1,000 communities worldwide and one of our corner stones is to enrich the lives of those we serve both intellectually and spiritually, as well as physically, hence all our external lecturers have to meet a high level of excellence. I am looking forward to Richard’s next series and there are plans for him to also lecture at our sister community in Santa Monica. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind Regards, Evelyn (Cantacuzene-Speransky) "