Rabbi Jill’s Latest Blog Posts
Hanukkah Night #5: People You Admire
The question for tonight’s 5th candle is: What five people inspire you, or bring you light? One way we receive light in our lives is from people we admire. You might be impressed by someone’s courage or compassion or how they confront challenges. They could be people you know personally or someone you’ve not met. …
Books and movies: Hanukkah Night #4
Tonight we light the 4th candle and our question is: What four books or movies impacted you this year? I have heard from many people that since the pandemic, reading for pleasure has been difficult. It has been this way for me, as well, which has been a sadness because reading novels has been a …
Mindful Hanukkah Shabbat with Cello
Join Rabbi Jill with special guests Daniel and Carey Domb for this cello-filled mindful Hanukkah Shabbat! Through live cello music and special teachings and meditations, we will celebrate Hanukkah in a contemplative, soulful way. Mindful Hanukkah Shabbat Path with Heart invites you to A Mindful Hanukkah Shabbat with Rabbi Jill Zimmerman featuring cellists Daniel and …
Hanukkah Inspirations Night 3: What 3 musicians or poets inspire you?
Tonight we light the 3rd candle. Our question for tonight’s lighting is: What 3 musicians, poets, or artists inspire you? Many of us turn to art, poetry, and music for inspiration and light. It is so important to nurture the creative sides of ourselves. Music and poetry and art express what is often difficult to …
Hanukkah Inspirations #2: Formative Experiences
Tonight we light the 2nd candle. For the 1st night, we lit one candle for something we know for sure. Now we turn to experiences. For this 2nd night of Hanukkah, our question is: Which two experiences helped shape who you are today? A premise for these Hanukkah Inspirations is that it is our job …
Hanukkah Inspirations #1: What You Know For Sure
In this new Hanukkah series, I’ll be sharing a daily question and some inspiration for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The questions will be geared toward what creates light within you that you share with the world, and they will be great for journaling, and discussing with friends. Tonight’s question is: What do …
When Words Seem to Fail: Draft a Poem
Early on a Tuesday morning in 2022, a dear member of our Hineni community who lives in Chicago and is a wonderful poet alerted me to the unfolding tragedy in Highland Park, Illinois. Another mass shooting, this time at a Fourth of July parade that I remember attending growing up on the North Shore of …
Poetry for Healing & Hope: Come Join Us
I bought my first book of poetry when I was in college. I was searching for my place in the universe and in a threshold moment of becoming. Poetry became important in my own healing process, as I figured out what I needed to leave behind and what I would take with me into adulthood. …
