My dear Friends
The flight from Toronto to Calgary was great. I had a nice companion along the way, and it was interesting to realize how much i recognized the landscape from all those years ago. My cousin's son, who now lives on Prince Edward Island (Anne of Green Gables country) was there to meet me and apparently he had no difficulty in recognizing me. Although he thought he might have to look for a lady in a habit!
Actually it was hot, so i quickly changed into my shorts and we talked all the way back on the 80 mile journey. And then i met my late cousin's husband. Bill, and it was just like old times.
Today i have been wandering round Drumheller talking to people who have wanted to share their many and varied experiences of my cousin Ann, who left her mark on this little town and is remembered in so many different ways.
Time is running out on the computer in the local library so more later!
Shalom from the Badlands in Alberta
Sister Gila
Friday, 12 September 2008
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Serenade at breakfast
My dear Friends
I have been staying for two nights with Eleanor in the Annex, the neighbourhood where I will one day live for good. She has a piano, so yesterday I sang a little and played-I am not really a pianist, but my busking is good enough to accompany my singing.
My brother Ronnie, who was 20 years older than me, was a bit of an impresario, and brought over the Omsk Russian Ensemble to Britain to give some concerts. One of their pieces, in Russian of course but translated into English, was 'Willow Tree.' It is a beautiful and simple piece about a girl asking a willow tree if her lover will come back to her. Reminds me of 'Der Nussbaum', a German piece by Schumann on a similar theme.; the girl standing under the Nut Tree hears the leaves rustling, as if her lover is calling to her.
Eleanor's late husband played the guitar; I noticed it standing in the corner of the breakfast room. Also staying was the English producer of a new film SKIN so at breakfast I serenaded her with three songs: Donna Donna, The summertime is coming and Psalm 23 in Hebrew. This film SKIN is important: set around a lady born to 2 white parents in South Afrrica and with a black skin. Try to see it when it comes to your local cinema from the Toronto Film Festival, on at the moment and second only to Cannes.
So we were 2 artists attempting the same thing: to move the hearts of people by our filming and our singing. I told the lady that if you move only one heart in a lifetime its enough.
A few years ago I sang and was interviewed about Joy one Christmas morning, on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.The interview only lasted 5 minutes, but when I heard the performance later I thought to myself: if I die in the night tonight, I will die happy.
Thank God for music, and art and film!
Shalom from Toronto, the 24 hour city
Sister Gila
I have been staying for two nights with Eleanor in the Annex, the neighbourhood where I will one day live for good. She has a piano, so yesterday I sang a little and played-I am not really a pianist, but my busking is good enough to accompany my singing.
My brother Ronnie, who was 20 years older than me, was a bit of an impresario, and brought over the Omsk Russian Ensemble to Britain to give some concerts. One of their pieces, in Russian of course but translated into English, was 'Willow Tree.' It is a beautiful and simple piece about a girl asking a willow tree if her lover will come back to her. Reminds me of 'Der Nussbaum', a German piece by Schumann on a similar theme.; the girl standing under the Nut Tree hears the leaves rustling, as if her lover is calling to her.
Eleanor's late husband played the guitar; I noticed it standing in the corner of the breakfast room. Also staying was the English producer of a new film SKIN so at breakfast I serenaded her with three songs: Donna Donna, The summertime is coming and Psalm 23 in Hebrew. This film SKIN is important: set around a lady born to 2 white parents in South Afrrica and with a black skin. Try to see it when it comes to your local cinema from the Toronto Film Festival, on at the moment and second only to Cannes.
So we were 2 artists attempting the same thing: to move the hearts of people by our filming and our singing. I told the lady that if you move only one heart in a lifetime its enough.
A few years ago I sang and was interviewed about Joy one Christmas morning, on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.The interview only lasted 5 minutes, but when I heard the performance later I thought to myself: if I die in the night tonight, I will die happy.
Thank God for music, and art and film!
Shalom from Toronto, the 24 hour city
Sister Gila
Friday, 5 September 2008
My cousin Ann
My dear Friends
In Toronto today, I got the news that my cousin Ann from Drunheller, near Calgary, has just died. Here is the piece from me which will be read out during the funeral next Wednesday- sadly, I will not arrive until the next day.
In Toronto today, I got the news that my cousin Ann from Drunheller, near Calgary, has just died. Here is the piece from me which will be read out during the funeral next Wednesday- sadly, I will not arrive until the next day.
My cousin Ann
'Come to the Hoodooes!' I can almost hear Ann say. And so I did, nearly 30 years ago - how could I have known that I myself would be emigrating to the other side of the country she went to as a 'pioneer' with her Dad.
Over the years, on the few visits that I made, we dined out in the Rockies, trying different foods, striding out in a canoe on Lake Louise - a first for both of us: 'Throw your camera to the other boat, so they can take a picture, as back home they willnever believe me!' Ann cried.
Bonded together as Jewish Christians, on a later visit she would come to Mass with me and I would go to the Salvation Army with her on Sunday mornings. Like most Jewish Christians, she went deeper into her Jewish roots as she got older.
She was a late developer and an explorer and I am proud that she has carved out the way for me.
Thank you, my friend in Heaven!
Shalom from Gillian
(Sister Gila)
*Hoodooes are strange boulder type rocks which rise up from the ground in Alberta
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Toronto
My dear Friends
I arrived on the other side of the pond, as we were landing I lifted my arms and sang Summertime-everyone enjoyed it, a lady said-'Are you a nervous flyer??' but they clapped as we landed which I have only ever seen before coming to the airport in Tel Aviv.
But to me I am on holy ground. today I went to a new neighbourhood, called Eglinton, the whole world was there. First I saw a beautiful Synagogue, founded in 194o's, and they seem friendly, although I was not able to see the actual place of prayer as a wedding was in progress. but I caught sight of the bride!
Then I came across a Catholic Church where Mass was proceeding-as i was not too late, i went in and joined them. In Spanish-and full of Joy, perhaps even a potential for worship and work in the future. Further on the retired members of the community were sitting side by side enjoying the sun and helping each other, Jamaicans, Algerians Jews, goodness who all else. Then I sat in macdonalds and at last my mind was blank after months and years of hopefully fruitful creativity and I felt happy and it was all different but wonderful at the same time.
Now in Dufferin - the first neighbourhood I stayed in when I returned after 20 years, but here is a bit hype and I preferred the more 'ordinary' place of Eglinton, with the Chinese supermarket and the lovely fruit, and the wonderful people.Still-first chance of an internet cafe, and tonight I go to Pyhllis to chill some more, put my feet up and confide how happy i am to a close friend.
Love you all! As I am sure they say in florida...wonder what tha's like??
Bye for now and shalom
Sister Gila
I arrived on the other side of the pond, as we were landing I lifted my arms and sang Summertime-everyone enjoyed it, a lady said-'Are you a nervous flyer??' but they clapped as we landed which I have only ever seen before coming to the airport in Tel Aviv.
But to me I am on holy ground. today I went to a new neighbourhood, called Eglinton, the whole world was there. First I saw a beautiful Synagogue, founded in 194o's, and they seem friendly, although I was not able to see the actual place of prayer as a wedding was in progress. but I caught sight of the bride!
Then I came across a Catholic Church where Mass was proceeding-as i was not too late, i went in and joined them. In Spanish-and full of Joy, perhaps even a potential for worship and work in the future. Further on the retired members of the community were sitting side by side enjoying the sun and helping each other, Jamaicans, Algerians Jews, goodness who all else. Then I sat in macdonalds and at last my mind was blank after months and years of hopefully fruitful creativity and I felt happy and it was all different but wonderful at the same time.
Now in Dufferin - the first neighbourhood I stayed in when I returned after 20 years, but here is a bit hype and I preferred the more 'ordinary' place of Eglinton, with the Chinese supermarket and the lovely fruit, and the wonderful people.Still-first chance of an internet cafe, and tonight I go to Pyhllis to chill some more, put my feet up and confide how happy i am to a close friend.
Love you all! As I am sure they say in florida...wonder what tha's like??
Bye for now and shalom
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Rainbow bridge
My dear Friends
Life is never dull and every day there links with Canada. I spend time occasionally in a cafe on the other side of town, and a little while ago I met a young woman serving there from Montreal. Montreal is one of my favourite cities in the world, it is incredibly diverse, perhaps more so than Toronto, but it is 20 years since I have been there.
I remember going into a restaurant alone, and being given the best table by the head waiter-this custom of honouring single women who dine was new to me. At the end of the evening I asked the waitress for directions and when she spoke in her lovely French-Canadian style I was very touched. More than all that, it was the place where I went into the Cathedral and was struck by the beauty of the liturgical language of the Mass.
A Jewish friend of Beningna's lent me her apartment in Montreal in that summer of '88, and I used to go down to a cafe by the water for breakfast: halycon days, and I long to 'go home.'
One week from now, I go to my sister-in-law's house near Gatwick, to spend a couple of days with my family. then, on 29 August, I will be in the air and winging my way to Toronto. On Sep 11th, very symbolic, I will flying again, this time to Calgary and my cousins out West. On both journeys I will spend time in prayer, thanking God for all He has brought to me and the wonderful life I have.
Be well! And I will try to do the same!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Life is never dull and every day there links with Canada. I spend time occasionally in a cafe on the other side of town, and a little while ago I met a young woman serving there from Montreal. Montreal is one of my favourite cities in the world, it is incredibly diverse, perhaps more so than Toronto, but it is 20 years since I have been there.
I remember going into a restaurant alone, and being given the best table by the head waiter-this custom of honouring single women who dine was new to me. At the end of the evening I asked the waitress for directions and when she spoke in her lovely French-Canadian style I was very touched. More than all that, it was the place where I went into the Cathedral and was struck by the beauty of the liturgical language of the Mass.
A Jewish friend of Beningna's lent me her apartment in Montreal in that summer of '88, and I used to go down to a cafe by the water for breakfast: halycon days, and I long to 'go home.'
One week from now, I go to my sister-in-law's house near Gatwick, to spend a couple of days with my family. then, on 29 August, I will be in the air and winging my way to Toronto. On Sep 11th, very symbolic, I will flying again, this time to Calgary and my cousins out West. On both journeys I will spend time in prayer, thanking God for all He has brought to me and the wonderful life I have.
Be well! And I will try to do the same!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Charitable status
My dear Friends
I am delighted to tell you that The Little Sisters of Joy, as an international Foundation for Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation, will one day become a registered charity, based in the UK. The process has begun, with the help of an accountant, and once all the required conditions are in place should reach its goal. My intention is to proceed slowly and carefully, but it would be wonderful if this could be achieved by the time my papers to emigrate to Canada (still some way off) have come through.
The Religious Community of women, living and praying together is taking shape and we will one day live together in Toronto.
What are the advantages of making the Foundation into a registered charity? There are several, and they work together on different dimensions. The Little Sisters of Joy will become an organisation with a proper structure, organised under a recognised body-The Charities Commission-and people will feel that they can make contributions which will allow for tax relief.
Perhaps, just as important, the Foundation will acquire a depth, meaning and purpose, hard to put into words, but which by its very nature, will contribute to Universal Peace.
I invite you to offer your prayers, goodwill and benevolent wishes for the success of the venture.
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
I am delighted to tell you that The Little Sisters of Joy, as an international Foundation for Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation, will one day become a registered charity, based in the UK. The process has begun, with the help of an accountant, and once all the required conditions are in place should reach its goal. My intention is to proceed slowly and carefully, but it would be wonderful if this could be achieved by the time my papers to emigrate to Canada (still some way off) have come through.
The Religious Community of women, living and praying together is taking shape and we will one day live together in Toronto.
What are the advantages of making the Foundation into a registered charity? There are several, and they work together on different dimensions. The Little Sisters of Joy will become an organisation with a proper structure, organised under a recognised body-The Charities Commission-and people will feel that they can make contributions which will allow for tax relief.
Perhaps, just as important, the Foundation will acquire a depth, meaning and purpose, hard to put into words, but which by its very nature, will contribute to Universal Peace.
I invite you to offer your prayers, goodwill and benevolent wishes for the success of the venture.
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Sunday, 3 August 2008
War and Peace
My dear Friends
You may not know that I have Russian blood - my grandparents on my father's side came from Minsk, now Belarus, white Russia, but I consider it Russia nonetheless. I have never discovered if they actually spoke Russian or just Yiddish; certainly my father, who was the first of the ten children to be born in England after they came over (he was born in Leeds in 1897) was a fluent Yiddish speaker. But I have large, expansive emotions, and have always thought that this was 'in the genes.'
One of my 2 favourite books listed on my blog profile is Dr Zhivago by Pasternak, a poet as well as a writer. He came from a Jewish family. In one of the translations of this book, the translators actually state that they don't feel that they have done it justice; precisely because Pasternak was such a beautiful poet, this imbues Dr Zhivago, a novel, as well, so it is so difficult to capture the poetic rhythms of the book in places.
Anna Karenina is a different book, filled with Tolstoy's reflections and theories about how to solve the question of land and the peasants, who of course did not own the land and were subject to their masters. It is also the story of the passionate love affair between Anna Karenina, a woman married to a high-ranking Government official, and Vronsky, a handsome but unscrupulous Captain in the army, who deserts her and treats her so badly that she throws herself under a train.
It is a noble and sweeping book, dealing with important moral questions of exploitation, infidelity and passion to the point of extreme suffering.In some ways it is a deeply religious book, as religious as his 'Resurrection' which was not well acclaimed by the public of the day.
War and Peace...Benigna has just given me both volumes as a present for my new life. In a world where we seem to hover more and more between these two extremes, we must try to find the via media, the middle way, the balance. Only then can we arrive at real peace.
Have a good and peaceful week
Shalom from Sister Gila
You may not know that I have Russian blood - my grandparents on my father's side came from Minsk, now Belarus, white Russia, but I consider it Russia nonetheless. I have never discovered if they actually spoke Russian or just Yiddish; certainly my father, who was the first of the ten children to be born in England after they came over (he was born in Leeds in 1897) was a fluent Yiddish speaker. But I have large, expansive emotions, and have always thought that this was 'in the genes.'
One of my 2 favourite books listed on my blog profile is Dr Zhivago by Pasternak, a poet as well as a writer. He came from a Jewish family. In one of the translations of this book, the translators actually state that they don't feel that they have done it justice; precisely because Pasternak was such a beautiful poet, this imbues Dr Zhivago, a novel, as well, so it is so difficult to capture the poetic rhythms of the book in places.
Anna Karenina is a different book, filled with Tolstoy's reflections and theories about how to solve the question of land and the peasants, who of course did not own the land and were subject to their masters. It is also the story of the passionate love affair between Anna Karenina, a woman married to a high-ranking Government official, and Vronsky, a handsome but unscrupulous Captain in the army, who deserts her and treats her so badly that she throws herself under a train.
It is a noble and sweeping book, dealing with important moral questions of exploitation, infidelity and passion to the point of extreme suffering.In some ways it is a deeply religious book, as religious as his 'Resurrection' which was not well acclaimed by the public of the day.
War and Peace...Benigna has just given me both volumes as a present for my new life. In a world where we seem to hover more and more between these two extremes, we must try to find the via media, the middle way, the balance. Only then can we arrive at real peace.
Have a good and peaceful week
Shalom from Sister Gila
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