My dear Friends
As I am slowly building towards the 'Music at Starbucks' I bear in mind that Benigna (whom you see on the picture on the right with me) used to play the piano at these muscial events, sometimes in a hall but now and again in the house at Newton Road. With its beautiful drawing room and elegant Blutner grand piano, the house was very conducive to music- making.
Sometimes we would have a cellist and a soprano who would sing duets with me, which was rather nice. This was in the days when I was concentrating more on the classical side of my music.My favourite duet, which I sang with my friend Fay, is the 'Recordare' from the Verdi Requiem, a really sublime piece. But we sang Purcell and Mendelsohn duets as well.
The one advantage of playing with the guitar is that the music reaches more people and that the people can sing along: in this is the Reconciliation in that the common singing rises up in a kind of prayer, asking for the healing of the world. The combination of Jewish music, trad folk and songs of the 60's seems to touch on the human condition with also 'something for everyone.'
People can relive their own personal memories when I play this music: I sang to the man who came to fix the boiler and it was a beautiful experience. He told me that it was the first time in 25 years that he had been serenaded!
So, if any of you are coming along to Starbucks on Wednesday, I invite you to relive your memories, sing along and just chill out with a cup of coffee. Enjoy!
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
Friday, 13 February 2009
Monday, 9 February 2009
A special day
My dear Friends
Today is actually the Jewish New Year for Trees and the 11th anniversary of the founding of The Little Sisters of Joy. I feel calm and relaxed after all the trouble of recent months ad look forward to the next 11 years!
When you open the Blog, you can see a picture of me and Benigna, which means 'kindly' in Italian, in the garden in Trumpington, Cambridge whre I lived for 16 years, and where The Little Sisters of Joy was born. On the bottom page you can see a picture of the little girl who is part of the Indian family now living with Benigna: she is standing outside the little building we used as a chapel for some time. Mass was said several times and different people also prayed there. A visitor once said it as a great place to come in from the cold.
Born as a religious community of women, whcih I still envisage one day,with the help of Maryvonne le Goanvic, The Little Sisters of Joy has grown into an international foundation for Peace and Reconciliation, with 600 Friends in 22 countries, who support the foundation in Friendship and Prayer. A Little Sister of Joy also has the meaning of someone from any religion or culture as long as she is joyful and shares the vision of peace,and of course there are Little Brothers of Joy in the foundation too.
I look forward to things moving on at God's pace and in His time, and in doing my little performance in Starbucks in ten days' time.
Joy and Shalom
on this happy day!
Sister Gila
Today is actually the Jewish New Year for Trees and the 11th anniversary of the founding of The Little Sisters of Joy. I feel calm and relaxed after all the trouble of recent months ad look forward to the next 11 years!
When you open the Blog, you can see a picture of me and Benigna, which means 'kindly' in Italian, in the garden in Trumpington, Cambridge whre I lived for 16 years, and where The Little Sisters of Joy was born. On the bottom page you can see a picture of the little girl who is part of the Indian family now living with Benigna: she is standing outside the little building we used as a chapel for some time. Mass was said several times and different people also prayed there. A visitor once said it as a great place to come in from the cold.
Born as a religious community of women, whcih I still envisage one day,with the help of Maryvonne le Goanvic, The Little Sisters of Joy has grown into an international foundation for Peace and Reconciliation, with 600 Friends in 22 countries, who support the foundation in Friendship and Prayer. A Little Sister of Joy also has the meaning of someone from any religion or culture as long as she is joyful and shares the vision of peace,and of course there are Little Brothers of Joy in the foundation too.
I look forward to things moving on at God's pace and in His time, and in doing my little performance in Starbucks in ten days' time.
Joy and Shalom
on this happy day!
Sister Gila
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Towards the 11th anniversary
My dear Friends
Hard to believe, but The Little Sisters of Joy is approaching the 11th year of its Foundation. Told in a dream by Cardinal Lustiger to hold the anniversary of the founding on the Jewish New Year for Trees, ten of us gathered in Benigna's garden in January 2000 and planted the first little sapling of what has now become a big and beautiful silver birch tree. We chanted psalm 96:
Hard to believe, but The Little Sisters of Joy is approaching the 11th year of its Foundation. Told in a dream by Cardinal Lustiger to hold the anniversary of the founding on the Jewish New Year for Trees, ten of us gathered in Benigna's garden in January 2000 and planted the first little sapling of what has now become a big and beautiful silver birch tree. We chanted psalm 96:
'Let all the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for He comes,
He comes to rule the earth.'
at the presence of the Lord, for He comes,
He comes to rule the earth.'
I have another beautiful silver birch tree in my garden in the Arbury, which I planted when I moved there. Silver birch trees are mystical like the moon, used by native Canadian tribes to make the bark of their canoes, and I heard yet another very poignant story about them.
After the seige of Leningrad when so many died, young people used to visit the mass graves in the cemeteries. Often, there were groves of silver birch trees there. As part of their pilgrimage and to honour the dead, the young people used to hang red scarves round the silvery bark of the trees.
The silver birch was the favourite tree of Latif Freedman, the composer and son-in-law of Benigna who died just before we planted the tree. Watch this space for photos of Benigna, my former garden and the chapel 'in the woodland' where we used to hold services.
Here's to the next 11 years!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
After the seige of Leningrad when so many died, young people used to visit the mass graves in the cemeteries. Often, there were groves of silver birch trees there. As part of their pilgrimage and to honour the dead, the young people used to hang red scarves round the silvery bark of the trees.
The silver birch was the favourite tree of Latif Freedman, the composer and son-in-law of Benigna who died just before we planted the tree. Watch this space for photos of Benigna, my former garden and the chapel 'in the woodland' where we used to hold services.
Here's to the next 11 years!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
A light to enlighten the Gentiles
My dear Friends
Someone left a comment on the Blog to say they had been in the Christingle service, on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Sounded lovely, with people giving a candle to each other to celebrate the light coming into the world. Unfortunately I couldn't get to a service, but a few reflections, if I may.
This is the end of the Christmas season. In solidarity with my European brothers and sisters, I kept the crib in my room till yesterday. Jesus' entry into the Temple in the Jewish tradition of a young male child is very significant for Jewish- Christian history and tradition, especially when the old man Simeon, blessed with wisdom and insight into the coming of the Messiah heralds the baby Jesus as:
Someone left a comment on the Blog to say they had been in the Christingle service, on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Sounded lovely, with people giving a candle to each other to celebrate the light coming into the world. Unfortunately I couldn't get to a service, but a few reflections, if I may.
This is the end of the Christmas season. In solidarity with my European brothers and sisters, I kept the crib in my room till yesterday. Jesus' entry into the Temple in the Jewish tradition of a young male child is very significant for Jewish- Christian history and tradition, especially when the old man Simeon, blessed with wisdom and insight into the coming of the Messiah heralds the baby Jesus as:
'The light to enlighten the Gentiles
and give glory to Thy people Israel.'
This magical scene is the culmination of the account of the angel appearing to Mary, the visit of Mary to Elisabeth and the birth of Jesus. What a journey from the stable to the Temple! What a splendid setting amid all the Jewish people, albeit that Mary and Joseph had only a meagre offering for the purification of their Son-a couple of turtle doves!
And yet amisdt this joy is already more than a hint of sorrow, when Simeon predicts that with the mission of Jesus, Mary will suffer-as she is indeed to stand at the foot of the Cross.
This mysterious scene has always reminded me of the Synagogue of my childood. With hindsight, the combination of the Old and the New. The mixture of Joy and the sorrow of a people led into an unkown destiny, fraught with difficulties and tests of their faithfulness fo God and His justice.
But these mysteries such as Jesus in the Temple are utterly real. When my friend and her community were holding up their candles yesterday, they have trutly witnessed the Light of Christ coming into the world. Please leave your comments too!
Shalom and again Shalom
Sister Gila
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Shabbat of delight
My dear Friends
Last night was a special occasion, a special Shabbat. For the first time in ages, I had two close friends with me to celebrate the inauguration of the Sabbath (given that we started our celebration a couple of hours after dusk.) My two friends were a young man from a Jewish background training for the Priesthood, and my 'daughter of the heart' whom I hve known for 10 years and with whom I have shared a lot of sorrows and joys.
It was the perfect night: a silvery slip of a moon hung over the landscape, and through the silver birch tree which graces the garden you could glimpse our bright guiding star, seemingly close by. Jews celebrate the inauguaration of the new moon on Rosh Chodesh, 'head' of the month, so it was a double blessing.
My 'daughter' arrived bearing gifts of a delicious desset and pink wine, which perfectly complimented the roast chicken salad, and potatoes.When my other guest arrived, we lost no tiem in bringing in the Shabbat: Clare and I donned headscarves while I sang the blessing of the angels over the candles and blesses in Hebrew song the Kosher wine from Mount Carmel, and the special braided bread.
Last night was a special occasion, a special Shabbat. For the first time in ages, I had two close friends with me to celebrate the inauguration of the Sabbath (given that we started our celebration a couple of hours after dusk.) My two friends were a young man from a Jewish background training for the Priesthood, and my 'daughter of the heart' whom I hve known for 10 years and with whom I have shared a lot of sorrows and joys.
It was the perfect night: a silvery slip of a moon hung over the landscape, and through the silver birch tree which graces the garden you could glimpse our bright guiding star, seemingly close by. Jews celebrate the inauguaration of the new moon on Rosh Chodesh, 'head' of the month, so it was a double blessing.
My 'daughter' arrived bearing gifts of a delicious desset and pink wine, which perfectly complimented the roast chicken salad, and potatoes.When my other guest arrived, we lost no tiem in bringing in the Shabbat: Clare and I donned headscarves while I sang the blessing of the angels over the candles and blesses in Hebrew song the Kosher wine from Mount Carmel, and the special braided bread.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.'
It was a joyful, sharing repast, full of anecdotes and, on a more serious note, a discussion about Gaza and related matters. After the meal we sang Zemirot with my guitar, Sabbath table hymns. One is about our gratitude to God for His feeding and watering of our souls.
When they left, I fell into bed, exhuasted but happy and replete.
Shabbat Shalom!
Sister Gila
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Singing in Starbucks
My dear Friends
Some months ago I got chatting to the Israeli manager of Starbucks in the Grafton Centre in Cambridge (Fitzroy Street).When he heard I was a singer, and specialised in Hebrew music, he asked me to do a concert there.
The space upstairs is informal, generous and lovely. It reminds me of some of the venues of my wild youth! (Alexia's stepfather once told me in Paris that I would now have a calm youth-you know what French men are like but it was a lovely thing to say.)
So I can have my 'tinkling guitar' and just chill out and sing to some extent what the punters want to hear, whether it be folk music, Jewish music, protest music, Beatles or whatever. I am blessed with a wide repertoire. One of my favourites is 'Catch the wind' by Donovan, a little known number but one which proves what an incurable romantic I am!
I got the guitar out this morning and have started practising. Hopefully the audience, which will be 'movable' from about 7pm onwards, will realise the message of Peace and Reconciliation and I will have the publicity leaflets and maybe a few copies of The Moving Swan close by. After all I cannot separate my life from the cause!
If you are to hand please come by. I promise you a good evening, as you will probably meet some nice people, to say nothing of Gilan the manager of Starbucks, who will be keeping the coffee shop open downstairs for your refreshment.
A bientot!
Sister Gila
Some months ago I got chatting to the Israeli manager of Starbucks in the Grafton Centre in Cambridge (Fitzroy Street).When he heard I was a singer, and specialised in Hebrew music, he asked me to do a concert there.
The space upstairs is informal, generous and lovely. It reminds me of some of the venues of my wild youth! (Alexia's stepfather once told me in Paris that I would now have a calm youth-you know what French men are like but it was a lovely thing to say.)
So I can have my 'tinkling guitar' and just chill out and sing to some extent what the punters want to hear, whether it be folk music, Jewish music, protest music, Beatles or whatever. I am blessed with a wide repertoire. One of my favourites is 'Catch the wind' by Donovan, a little known number but one which proves what an incurable romantic I am!
I got the guitar out this morning and have started practising. Hopefully the audience, which will be 'movable' from about 7pm onwards, will realise the message of Peace and Reconciliation and I will have the publicity leaflets and maybe a few copies of The Moving Swan close by. After all I cannot separate my life from the cause!
If you are to hand please come by. I promise you a good evening, as you will probably meet some nice people, to say nothing of Gilan the manager of Starbucks, who will be keeping the coffee shop open downstairs for your refreshment.
A bientot!
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
From darkness to light
My dear Friends
I am in the hospital, waiting to see the doctors, who will discharge me today for good. It has been a long haul: from darkness to light. All the time I was in that dark and long tunnel, I knew in my deepest self that the light was at the end of it, the LIGHT, that is Christ, but with my physical being it was kinda difficult to actually feel anything emotionally or especially spiritually.
Now, having attended a radiant Mass on Sunday at the big Church, with all my friends round me, kneeling down between the hymns and the prayers, I felt the LIGHT pierce my being, as if God was actually touching my marrow. I had not felt that for a long time and knew it was a special grace, but from moment to moment it was difficult to hang in there and allow myself to be touched in that way. As I was submitting in the only way possible, I found myself praying for a special Friend and shouting to God amidst the music: 'Why did you take so long, I knew all this was really to bring me closer to you, but you took your time.'
And yet we ourselves have no time: only KYROS, God's time. My personal Revelation and the road to recovery started on the Orthodox Christmas, our Epiphany, which actually means Revelation. I awoke on 6th February and the grace really kicked: I had clarity about my condition and myself, and the healing started from there.
Staying the night in Benigna's house last night, she told me that the future looked bright and sensible. Not a bad word for someone like me, who is totally spontaneous, passionate and seren from time to time at the same time.
It is a privilege to be able to share all this 'on the spot' as it were, and if it is helpful to even one of you I will feel totally happy.
'Look towards Him and be radiant
let your faces not be abashed
The Lord hears whenever I call Him'
Onward and upward indeed.
Shalom and more Shalom
Sister Gila xxxxxx
I am in the hospital, waiting to see the doctors, who will discharge me today for good. It has been a long haul: from darkness to light. All the time I was in that dark and long tunnel, I knew in my deepest self that the light was at the end of it, the LIGHT, that is Christ, but with my physical being it was kinda difficult to actually feel anything emotionally or especially spiritually.
Now, having attended a radiant Mass on Sunday at the big Church, with all my friends round me, kneeling down between the hymns and the prayers, I felt the LIGHT pierce my being, as if God was actually touching my marrow. I had not felt that for a long time and knew it was a special grace, but from moment to moment it was difficult to hang in there and allow myself to be touched in that way. As I was submitting in the only way possible, I found myself praying for a special Friend and shouting to God amidst the music: 'Why did you take so long, I knew all this was really to bring me closer to you, but you took your time.'
And yet we ourselves have no time: only KYROS, God's time. My personal Revelation and the road to recovery started on the Orthodox Christmas, our Epiphany, which actually means Revelation. I awoke on 6th February and the grace really kicked: I had clarity about my condition and myself, and the healing started from there.
Staying the night in Benigna's house last night, she told me that the future looked bright and sensible. Not a bad word for someone like me, who is totally spontaneous, passionate and seren from time to time at the same time.
It is a privilege to be able to share all this 'on the spot' as it were, and if it is helpful to even one of you I will feel totally happy.
'Look towards Him and be radiant
let your faces not be abashed
The Lord hears whenever I call Him'
Onward and upward indeed.
Shalom and more Shalom
Sister Gila xxxxxx
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