Rabbi Jill’s Latest Blog Posts

Hanukkah Night Three: Memories Bring Light
Tonight we light three candles PLUS the Shabbat candles! You light the Hanukkah candles first, and then the Shabbat candles. Tonight’s focus is on Memories and how they can bring light into our lives. Memory holds a central place in Judaism because it connects us with our history, values, and identity. We remember how we …

Hanukkah Night Two: Increase Your Light!
Yesterday, we reflected on how the Hanukkah candles inspire us to seek light in our lives. Tonight, we shift our focus to the idea of increasing our light, bringing warmth and brightness into the world that sorely needs it. Lighting the Hanukkiah (Menorah) each night for eight nights is the central ritual of Hanukkah. We …

Hanukkah Night One: Seek The Light
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah occurs in the darkest time of the year on the 25th night of the Hebrew month of Kislev. In 2024, the first night of Hanukkah is Wednesday, December 25th. Our theme for this year’s Hanukkah is “Bring Your Light.” Sign up for our Hanukkah emails, which you will receive in …

Join Us for Hineni Shabbat with Reb Irwin Keller and Rabbi Jill on December 20th!
Join Rabbi Jill in conversation with Reb Irwin Keller, for our Hineni Shabbat. Reb Irwin is a gifted teacher, writer, music-maker, and performer. He has recently released a new book, Shechinah at the Art Institute, which is a collection of his essays, memoirs, and poetry. He will read from his new book and Rabbi Jill will …

To Vote Is A Mitzvah!
With just a few days from election day in the USA, I want to encourage you to vote and share a few resources to stress the importance of this election.

The Joy & Miracle of Learning: Hanukkah – Day 8
Tonight’s guest post is written by Rabbi Oren Postrel, a friend and colleague. On this last night of Hanukkah, he talks about how we find joy in Jewish study and learning. R. Jill The Path With Heart community continues to kindle the bright flames of Hanukkah. Over the past seven nights, we have looked at …

Being Grateful this Hanukkah – Night 7
Hanukkah is a Festival of Lights at the darkest time of the year. We are grateful for illumination that abundantly lights our way even at the darkest of times. You may be challenged to find gratitude when the world is burning. Our greatest spiritual teachers encourage us to find gratitude in even the smallest things. …

Dedicate Yourself This Hanukkah – Day 6
The word “Hanukkah” – חֲנֻכָּה – means “dedication“. The Festival of Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights. Hanukkah commemorates the purification and re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees’ defeat of the Greeks. Tonight, we are looking towards what we can each dedicate ourselves to in improving …