Zohara Meyerhoff Hieronimus Awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree

Zohara Meyerhoff Hieronimus has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco. This honor is bestowed for her contributions to social service, and her two and a half decades-long commitment to the health and social justice of our region. When she founded the Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center in 1984, it was the only center of its kind. Today, over 25 years later, we rejoice to see wellness centers in many neighborhoods, and even in many hospitals. Long a pioneer in many fields, Zohara is currently working on a sequel to her last book on the holy women of ancient Israel. It deals with creating the place and atmosphere for prophecy and intuition. Learn more here: www.Zoharaonline.com

What follows is the official press release announcement from Saybrook Graduate School describing their decision.

The Honorary Doctorate Committee recently met to consider 2010 candidates who had been nominated by members of the Saybrook community for this year's honorary degree. The candidates who were considered each represented a substantial body of work and high achievement in disciplines that embrace our values and principles.

It was an extremely difficult decision to choose from among so many wonderful candidates, and there were extensive discussions before Jill Zohara Meyerhoff "Zoh" Hieronimus and Milton Schwebel were chosen as recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Both were accepted.  The field of candidates was so strong that it was agreed that many would be reconsidered again for the award in the future.

…excerpts from their nomination materials are included below:

JILL ZOHARA MEYERHOFF "ZOH" HIERONIMUS

Ms. Hieronimus is an award winning radio broadcaster, published author, social justice and environmental activist, and pioneer in championing mind/body, holistic health care. She hosted the longest aired “whistle blowers” radio program in American broadcast history (1992-2001), and exposed many individuals and groups who were subverting the public trust. In 2008, a Brazilian organization, the Peace and You Movement, made her an Award Laureate for her contributions to peace and health in the United States.  In 1984, she founded (and still serves as Executive Director) the Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center, which serves east coast clients with holistic health care services and programs. Ms. Hieronimus received The Garland of Excellence Award in 2005 from a Sir Paul McCartney-sanctioned Charity, the Garland Appeal, for her and Ruscombe's two decades of service.

Other awards include the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Media Programming on the U.S. Constitution (1993), the Defenders of Liberty Award for Media Profiling of Founders of the Republic (1995), the Maryland State Legislature Citation for Public Service (1997), the Judicial Watch Award for Excellence in Broadcasting (2000), the Best of Baltimore Award for Best Radio Show (2001), and the Golden Web Award for Excellence in Media (2001).

In partnership with her husband Saybrook alumnus Robert R. Hieronimus, Ph.D., she has participated in numerous humanitarian projects in Egypt, Israel, Great Britain, and the United States. They are co-founders of Hieronimus & Co., a media resource company. Ms. Hieronimus co-founded the A-Z Kabbalah Institute, where she has been a instructor on the inner teachings of the Alef- Beit, (the Hebrew alphabet), and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life as seen through the lives of the seven female prophets of Israel. These prophets were the focus of her 2008 book, The Kabbalistic Teachings of the Female Prophets, Seven Holy Women of Ancient Israel, published by Inner Traditions.

Drawing upon her lifelong participation in cutting-edge arts and sciences, global economics, environmental activism, and community organization, Ms. Hieronimus has hosted national, regional, and local radio programs for 25 years. e.g., The Zoh Show, Future Talk, Clear View, The Children’s Corner. Her artwork is featured in public shows and her digital photography is archived on-line in various forums. Examples can be found on her website: www.zoharaonline.com.