On June 13, 2010, Zohara Meyerhoff Hieronimus was the first person in the history of the esteemed Saybrook University in San Francisco to receive a Doctorate of Humane Letters.  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.  Her research into the female prophets of ancient Israel, published in 2008 by Inner Traditions as Kabbalistic Teachings of the Female Prophets, also weighed heavily into their decision.

Dr. Stanley Krippner, executive faculty member and professor of psychology at Saybrook, told us that Zohara was the very first person to receive this particular honor from Saybrook, and that she was selected over 28 of the world's top researchers as their first designee.

When she founded the Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center in 1984, it was the only holistic outpatient 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 to occur, and will be published by Inner Traditions in 2011. Learn more here: www.Zoharaonline.com.

Saybrook University described their decision to grant this diploma to Zohara by saying she “represented a substantial body of work and high achievement in disciplines that embrace our values and principles.”  Learn more about Saybrook University here: http://www.saybrook.edu.

…excerpts from the Saybrook University 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.

Dr. Zohara Hieronimus posing with Saybrook executive faculty member and internationally known humanistic psychologist, Dr. Stanley Krippner

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The two doctoral honorees at Saybrook University June 2010, Milton Schwebel and Zohara Hieronimus.  Schwebel is a founder of what has become the field of peace psychology, and the former Dean of Rutgers Graduate school of Professional and Applied Psychology.

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.

We now have two doctors in the family!  Dr. Bob and Dr. Zoh Hieronimus walk in the graduation procession at Saybrook University June 13, 2010.  Bob is an ’81 graduate from Saybrook.

From a 1986 Baltimore Sun article

The mystical depth of Zohara’s book and the correlations between the seven prophetesses and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life were greatly intriguing to Reggae scion Ziggy Marley seen here reading it during his 2008 tour. www.sevenholywomen.com