Rabbi Jill’s Latest Blog Posts
In Memory of Those Who Dreamed of Kugel: Yom HaShoah
This week, we commemorate Yom HaShoah (April 28, 2022), Holocaust Remembrance Day. When we lived in Israel for a year, as part of my rabbinic training at Hebrew Union College, I was asked to participate in a ceremony remembering the victims of the Holocaust. The ceremonies for Yom HaShoah, many of which are centered …
Spiritual Journeying: Counting the Omer
Counting the Omer is a spiritual practice that is profound and transformative, universal and entirely personal. It is the next step in the Passover experience as we move out from our newfound freedom and journey into the wilderness. This year, in 2022, we start with day one the evening of the second seder, Saturday, April …
Hanukkah Night #8: What Brings You Joy?
Tonight we light the 8th candle for Hanukkah and ask the final question. Tonight, each candle is about JOY & laughter. When we collect moments of joy, we bring light into our lives. Tonight’s question for journaling and discussion is: What 8 things bring you joy or laughter? Here are mine: Reading Tales of the …
Hanukkah Night #6: What Helps You Stop & Rest?
Tonight we light the 6th candle of Hanukkah. And it is also Shabbat, the day of rest. We light the menorah first, and then our Shabbat candles. The question for tonight is: Can you name 6 things that help you rest or stop or take a needed breath? As my teacher Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg …
Hanukkah Night #7: Grateful
Tonight we light the 7th candle of Hanukkah. All throughout this holiday, we have been collecting the ways we actively bring light into our lives, or how we recognize the light. Every night we light one more candle, following the principle of gradually increasing the light (Talmud, Shabbat 21b:5) The experience of being grateful fills …
Hanukkah Night #5: Books & Movies
Tonight we light the 5th Chanukah candle. Here’s tonight’s question: What are 5 books that have been influential or made a difference to you this year? This year, my selections represent the kind of learning and comfort I needed. Here is my list for this year with a quote from each one: Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous …
Hanukkah Night #4: Comfort Foods
Tonight we light the 4th candle of Chanukah. Our discussion question tonight should be fun! As we continue to light the lights: What four foods have been comforting to you this past year? They don’t *have* to be Chanukah food, but if that is what comes to mind, all the more perfect. To be honest, …
Hanukkah Night #3: Music & Poetry
Tonight we light the 3rd candle for Hanukkah. Each night we are responding to a different question related to how we bring light into the world. Our question tonight is: What 3 musicians, poets, or artists inspire you? This past year has been challenging, as we have continued to live in the unknown. Seeking inspiration …
