Questions You May Have
How do I get started?Reach out to Rabbi Jessica using the “contact me” section of this website. This is better than sending an email because email can get filtered into spam even when it is an important request. If you haven’t heard from the rabbi in a reasonable amount of time, please contact her again.
Do I need to be Jewish to work with Rabbi Jessica?No. Curiosity about Judaism is not just for Jews! Judaism’s wisdom is very much a part of American values and practices. For example, American jurisprudence draws heavily from traditional Jewish practices around holding space for disparate opinions. Rabbi Jessica works with people from many cultural backgrounds, spiritual traditions, and religions. Sometimes a person’s curiosity about Judaism and Jews is a result of living in relationship with Jews, however, many people are drawn to learning more because of something they have read, experienced, or a spiritual sensitivity that attracts them to Jewish values, practices, and rituals. Don’t hesitate to reach out using the “contact me” section of this website.
Does Rabbi Jessica offer a free consultation?Yes. Rabbi Jessica offers her initial hour with you at no charge. This is a courtesy that allows both you and the rabbi to discern whether you want to work together.
Does Rabbi Jessica work with interfaith couples and families?Yes! Rabbi Jessica often works with couples and families with mixed heritage. In fact, these opportunities are among her most meaningful pastorally, as spiritual guide, and as celebrant creating sacred space for mixed gatherings.
What is included when working with Rabbi Jessica for a wedding?When she describes her work, Rabbi Jessica clarifies that she does not simply “officiate” at weddings. She sees a rabbi’s role as far more substantial than showing up, uttering a formulary of words, and placing the names of a particular couple within that context. A commitment as substantial as marriage deserves a thoughtful, discerning, and experienced spiritual guide. An important part of preparing for marriage is time spent in sacred conversation, thinking critically and with open hearts about issues that will undoubtedly arise in the context of marriage. As a result, the rabbi’s letter of agreement includes
4-6 meetings with the couple before the wedding weekend
assistance in preparing the couple for marriage
creation of a uniquely tailored wedding ceremony
conversations, upon request, with parents, grandparents, and other family
assistance, upon request, in creating ritual documents including ketubah
How far in advance should we book a wedding officiant?It is ideal to have 10-12 months to prepared together; 4-6 months is doable. However, don’t let this deter you from reaching out if your timeline is very short. The rabbi has managed short timelines with successful results.
How is Rabbi Jessica’s approach to b’nei mitzvah different?The rabbi’s decades of experience working with students who are becoming b’nei mitzvah* involves meeting each student exactly where they are. This makes her approach substantially different than that of a traditional synagogue model. Rabbi Jessica most often works with individual students in preparing to become a B-Mitzvah. Each learner’s course of study and service is unique, though the core liturgy and Torah hold our structure and reflect the tradition of handing Jewish values forward, l’dor vador (from generation to generation).
* b’nei = children (m. plural); bat = daughter; bar = son.
Hebrew and other languages distinguish nouns and verbs as either masculine or feminine. As we become more sensitive to gender fluidity and self-identification, the gender binary of these languages is fraught. Many of us in progressive Jewish spaces have begun to develop language that reflects our evolving awareness. Click below for a link to Keshet קשת
Click here to learn how to adopt language that reflects greater sensitivity to gender fluidity and a person's self-identification.
Does she work with families who are not affiliated with a synagogue? Absolutely. All individuals and families deserve access to Jewish ritual regardless of their choices about affiliation with Jewish institutions.
What kinds of classes or learning opportunities does Rabbi Jessica offer? Can Rabbi Jessica teach at our synagogue, organization, or retreat? Does she offer private or one-on-one study?
Yes. Rabbi Jessica works with students individually and in group settings.
Does Rabbi Jessica work with people who want to convert as well as those who are “just curious” about Judaism?Yes. Spiritual discernment and religious identity are fascinating and weighty issues that the rabbi takes very seriously and meets people where they are in the process. A person doesn’t need to be committed to becoming Jewish to be interested in learning more about Judaism.
Does she work with people outside her local area?Yes. Rabbi Jessica travels for lifecycle rituals and when invited to teach or lead worship. She also works with people all across the globe thanks to virtual technology.
What if we’re still figuring out our spiritual or religious identity?Many of us are engaged in a lifelong process of defining and refining our sense of self. Spirituality is often defined as a feeling of connection to something beyond ourselves–something that causes within us feelings of awe and gratitude. Many of us feel “spirituality” in response to nature, art, and human connection. Religious identity is often related to an experience of religion in our youth. These experiences might nourish or repel us or leave us with lots of questions. Religious curiosity and seeking can be generated from exposure to or learning about religious traditions that are appealing. Rabbi Shimberg, even as a rabbi, remains a very spiritually curious and open person, always trying to tune into what may help her better hone practices of compassion and lovingkindness, courage and boundaries, grace and patience. Her empathy is a superpower in working with others on their own unfolding identity journeys.
A Rabbi's Role“A rabbi’s role is to serve couples and their extended family as a pastoral guide, co-creator, and ritual conductor of lifecycle celebrations — a marriage doula — ensuring a meaningful transition from the status of a newly engaged couple to that of married beloveds. I provide spiritual nourishment and guidance to couples as we work toward their wedding day, and remain connected and available to them for a lifetime. Couples find the time they spend with me prepares them well to access sacred space beneath the chuppah on their wedding day, and in the homes they create together thereafter. Designing the right wedding ritual for each couple may include examining religious, cultural, spiritual, intellectual, and familial needs and interests or navigating relational complexity. These are all made easier with the guidance and expertise of a trusted rabbi.”
– Rabbi Jessica Shimberg
Does Rabbi Jessica travel for weddings and ceremonies?The rabbi is delighted to travel for lifecycle events, and does so frequently. Her travel and lodging expenses are covered by the couple/family separately from her professional honorarium.
When a person reach the beginning of their teen years, Jewish tradition recognizes them as b’nei* mitzvah – responsible and mature enough to participate as adults in Jewish communal ritual and religious practice. A person’s participation as a b-mitzvah connotes reaching a moment of status change vis-a-vis the Jewish community. This status change is often accompanied by study and activities designed to assist the teen in thinking more deeply about their connection to Jewish heritage, texts, wisdom, and values. Engagement in this process culminates in a ritual that reflects the growth that has occurred and entry into a new level of relationship with Torah.
As a rabbi and parent, I believe that a student’s experience of this process of study can be greatly enhanced by a course of study that is tailored to their interests and learning style. Over the period of time that I work with students and their family, I am primarily interested in helping them to explore and grow their relationship with Judaism’s vast wisdom tradition, stories, ethics, prayer practices, mindfulness, and growing edge. This generally leads to enthusiastic study and communal engagement long after the celebration has occurred.
What if my child is new to Hebrew or Jewish learning?Many 21st century American children have minimal exposure to Hebrew language. Rabbi Jessica will meet you and your child where you are in the learning journey.
Are classes available online or in person?Both options are available.
Are sessions confidential?Yes. All information shared with Rabbi Jessica remains confidential with the exception of statements about self-harm which ethics and law require her to seek support for your safety.
What are Rabbi Jessica’s fees?The rabbi’s time is valued at $180/hour which includes preparation and reasonable follow up work for the hour she spends with you. She does offer a sliding scale and flexible payment plans to accommodate those who could not otherwise afford her services. As a result, she hopes that those who can afford her fees will pay what they can to help those who cannot.
Does Rabbi Jessica officiate interfaith weddings?Yes. Rabbi Jessica often works with couples who come from different heritages. In fact, these opportunities are among her most meaningful, pastorally and as spiritual guide and celebrant. In your initial meeting with the rabbi, she will ask questions that help her discern whether she is the right person to work with you. Rabbi Jessica prefers not to co-officiate with other clergy, but even this is a negotiable element based on the how we feel coming out of that initial meeting.
Can we personalize our ceremony?Absolutely! That is what makes working with Rabbi Jessica so special!
What if we’re not very religious but want a meaningful ceremony?Many of those drawn to Rabbi Jessica’s work characterize themselves as “spiritual rather than religious.” In addition to working with Jewish and Jewish-adjacent folks, she has been engaged by people with no Jewish connection for her “deeply spiritual services.” A meaningful ceremony is not defined by the religiosity of its content; rather, it is defined by what content is selected to mark the occasion and how it resonates with those being celebrated.
I enjoy working with t’weens, teens, and adults to prepare for a service they will co-lead with me. I am most interested in helping them to discern how Judaism manifests in their lives as they become adult thinkers and feelers. We spend much of our time with Judaic content like Torah, the structure of a service, the meanings of the prayers (to them as well as in tradition), and their sense of what is sacred and where/how/when/what God (Divine Mystery) is in their lives, however, my goals are much broader.
How are non-Jewish partners and family members included in ceremonies?A central part of her mission is enabling blended and multi-heritage individuals, couples, and families to connect with Jewish life. She is committed to the expansive involvement of Jewish-adjacent loved ones in community and lifecycle rituals.
Do I need prior experience with Jewish practice to participate?Lack of knowledge is never a barrier to participation, however some offerings may be more suited to participants with some experience with Judaism.
Where is Rabbi Jessica based?She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, which is part of the larger Tampa Bay region.
Can we still work together if cost is a concern?Absolutely! I ask that my clients find an amount that respects my professionalism and talent in the same way that you would respect an attorney, therapist, coach, or tutor, and within the budget you have created for other essential elements of your wedding or lifecycle event.