What We Do
Through innovative light making workshops that foster reflection, conversation and community, we bring light to light life’s journey.
In a variety of initiatives - from celebrating birth to honoring our elders - our participants make beautiful illuminated paper lamps that serve as luminous reminders of each maker’s intention to put more light into the world.
Be. The. Light.
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A little more light for life’s journey. A little more light for the world.
Our unique lamp making process and the beautiful lamps our participants create from natural, handmade papers and materials are surrounded with layers of meaning to help provide light for life’s journey. During the lamp making process connections are made, wisdom is shared, healing is fostered and inspiration is nourished. Whether our workshops are a welcome respite, a positive inflection point along life’s path, or an illuminating flashpoint – a little light, warmth and shared wisdom is always welcome.
While the lamps participants take home are striking, their lasting beauty is as beacons: luminous reminders of each maker’s intention to bring more light to the world.
The world needs our light.
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Illumignossi. What’s with that weird name?
First of all, how do you pronounce it?
The “g” is silent. “gnossi” rhymes with glossy. But some folks like to pronounce the “o” as a soft “a” as in “jar”. Whatever works for you!
What the heck does it mean? I couldn’t find it in the dictionary!
That’s because we made the name up. Perhaps some day it’ll show up in a dictionary! It’s actually from a combination of two words: Illumine and gnosis. Illumine/illuminate (verb) has Latin roots with several meanings: to provide light, to enlighten, to brighten; also to clarify, edify. Gnosis (greek noun) means wisdom, insight and enlightenment.
Illumignossi vs Illuminati?
Yeah, we know. Enter “Illumingnossi” in Google search and the first result is: “Did you mean Illuminati?” So let’s be clear. We’re not part of any secret society or worldwide conspiracy. Far from it!
But if the literal meaning of “illuminati” is an “enlightened one”, we’d be happy to supply the following definition for an “illumignossi”: one who cultivates their inner light and reflects it outwards. Something all of us can aspire to. Worthy of an entry in the dictionary!
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David Moss, MD, founder of The Illumignossi Project has been making beautiful illuminated paper lamps since 1999 and has since given dozens away to those facing challenges or loss. He has also trained others how to make lamps. After hearing from so many lamp recipients how these lamps have inspired, comforted and helped in the healing process, he decided to broaden the impact by founding The Illumignossi Project which received its not-for profit 501(c)(3) designation in September, 2016.
While our initial focus was on cancer and serious illness, it soon became obvious that the lamps and the process surrounding the lamp making could be used to provide light for other aspects of life, not just the challenging times.
The Illumignossi Project (TIP) has impactful initiatives throughout the life cycle - from birth to death - as well as other diverse initiatives. Some, such as Legacy Lights are active and ongoing; others have been one-offs which can be repeated, and still others are in development.
There are four general themes underlying our workshops and initiatives:
1 - Lighting life’s journey:
*Lighting one’s own journey through self-reflection
*Providing light for others on their own journey
2 - Dispelling darkness
*Promoting values such as kindness, tolerance, patience
3 - Honoring and celebrating each other
4 - Providing comfort and inspiration to those facing challenges
As we all know, workshops can be magical experiences, but the magic often fades with time. TIP workshops address this issue because our participants bring home a beautiful, meaningful lamp which embodies the meanings discovered and the intentions made during the workshop experience.
Bottom line, we help our workshop participants explore and nature their inner light so that they can share it with the world. The world needs our light!
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Illuminating life’s journey. It’s the core of our philosophy.
When we can see life as a journey that’s rich with opportunities for growth and learning, horizons widen and meaning deepens. Like any journey, there are unexpected twists and turns; easy passages and passages that are dark and narrow; tedious portions; and moments that are remarkable and sacred.
If we can see ourselves and others as fellow travelers on the journey of life, it’s easier to be kinder and more patient and to extend a helping hand to our fellow human beings.
Let’s help light each other's way.
Make Lamps. Share Wisdom. Spread Light.
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Ceremony is important to mark life’s events and create lasting memories.
Creativity and art are human needs; within each of us lies the unknown artist waiting to be expressed.
Each of us has wisdom to share and knowledge and light to pass on.
Light is one of the most powerful symbols and forces in the universe.
Community nourishes us.
Beauty inspires us.
Life is more about the journey than the destination.
Who We Are
You might say David had a light bulb moment. But there is a long backstory with lots of work, thought, art and creativity behind that “moment”.
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ABOUT THE FOUNDER
”I was instantly enchanted by the magical alchemy that transformed an ordinary piece of paper into an object of glowing beauty, merely by flipping a switch. ...”
read more
Board of Directors
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Anny Ortiz, PhD Candidate
BOARD DIRECTOR
Anny is from Sonora, Mexico and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s School of Human Ecology and in September. Anny has over 20 years of experience working in a variety of therapeutic settings: wilderness therapy, ecopsychology, holistic experiential education and psycho-education. Anny is interested in designing and facilitating integrative transformative programs that emphasize the importance of healthy community building, honor the cyclical nature of life and developmental processes, and empowers individuals to live authentically and with integrity, while cultivating kindness and compassion for themselves and the world around them.
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Tiferet Berenbaum
BOARD DIRECTOR
Congregational Rabbi and educator. (Tufts / Hebrew College). Accomplished speaker, writer and educator.
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Ben Callif
BOARD DIRECTOR
Vice President - Strategy & Culture, Bader Philanthropies.
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Rita Hanson, MD
BOARD DIRECTOR
Health care executive, physician leader, population health consultant. Former Chief Medical Officer, Vice-President Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Information Officer – Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.
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William L. Komisar, CPA, JD
BOARD DIRECTOR
Retired partner of Komisar Brady & Co (recently merged with CliftonLarsenAllen); past director of a number of non-profit boards including WICPA Educational Foundation, Peck Foundation (Treasurer), Rubinstein Foundation (Treasurer), Zink the Zebra Foundation, Education Foundation of Wauwatosa, Milwaukee Jewish Home and Care Center (Chairman), Sara Chudnow Campus (Chairman). Cancer caregiver.
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David Moss, MD, MBA
BOARD DIRECTOR
Founder and President of The Illumignossi Project and OrLanu/6Milion Lights. Emergency Medicine and Integrative Medicine physician. Entrepreneur. Artist: illuminated paper sculptures and illuminated paper lamps. Founder and President of Emergency Resources Group, Professional Internal Medicine Services and several other professional services corporations. Past director of a number of non-profit boards including Victory Garden Initiative, Wisconsin College of Emergency Physicians.
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Joe Loehnis
BOARD DIRECTOR
CEO of Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Previous Executive Director of The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin; Advisory board member of Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center in Madison; professional cellist, past member of Green Bay Symphony Orchestra; former professional golfer. Honoree: 40 Under 40 - Madison, WI. Interested in mindfulness applications for organizations and business.
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Terry Weingrod
BOARD DIRECTOR
Terry Weingrod is the retired Executive Director of Wisconsin Education Innovations, a private nonprofit agency that provides professional development for educators. She is also the Board President of Wisconsin Virtual Learning, a public K-12 school serving students from all over Wisconsin. Prior to her work with WEI Terry was a middle and high school administrator for many years.
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TIP is ALL about the people we help. Bringing more light into the world. It’s easy for non-profits to lose sight of their primary mission. We’ve seen this happen all too often. Perspective warps when organizational identity and revenue needs become the paramount objectives. It becomes “all about the organization” rather than “all about the good” it should be accomplishing. We vow that won’t happen with The Illumignossi Project.
But why does this happen with so many profits? All too often, it’s because the constant focus on fundraising tends to divert time and energy away from the organization’s non-profit mission. We hope to avoid that trap by becoming a self-sustaining organization that doesn’t need to rely on constant fundraising for its life support. Our goal is that our primary funding comes from earned revenue – mainly from program revenues and sales of lamp kits.
Even the best organizations tend to become more bureaucratic, rigid and bloated as time marches on. We pledge to resist that. How? By staying focused, efficient, playful and creative. Through honest and blunt self-examination. By being open – not just open to praise but also to criticism. We welcome your involvement!
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We are a 501 (c) (3) approved by the IRS on 09-02-2016
See our IRS Determination Letter
