Rabbi Jill’s Latest Blog Posts
Gifts everywhere
“Awe enables us to see in the world intimations of the divine, to sense in small things the beginning of infinite significance, to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple, to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal.” Abraham Joshua Heschel Anything that stops us in our tracks and helps us experience …
Mary Oliver on Awe
Instructions for life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. Mary Oliver (from her poem “Sometimes”) This photo was taken on a walk around our neighborhood in Mar Vista (Los Angeles) – You can just be walking, and come upon such beauty! Click on the photo to really see how amazing this flower is.
An Invitation to Be Present: Lunchtime Thursday at Noon in the Big City of Los Angeles (june 13)
Moses said it. The first human being, Adam, said it. Jacob said it too. What is it that they all said? I am Present. Hineni (in Hebrew) I am fully here. With my whole self. I’m not distracted, thinking of everything else I need to do. Not worrying about the past, or what may happen …
The Breath
Our class yesterday, entitled “Connecting with Breath and Spirit” was all about how to begin or continue a mindfulness practice . We looked at a few verses from the very beginning of Genesis that reflect how core breathing is to all life. We read that “Adonai/The Mystery/Source of All formed the human being of the …
What I Learned About Mindfulness At A Bridal Shower or “Life as a Celebration”
My first cousin’s daughter is getting married. A first wedding for my cousin, who is like a sister to me. A group of 12 women gave the first bridal shower for this wonderful bride-to-be last Sunday. A group of women who have long-time and deep connections to my cousin, who herself is one of the …
A Poem for Jasmine
the scent of jasmine fills the house so much that we have to leave the front door open so that we can allow the sweet smell of heaven to lighten every moment. Every trip up and downstairs to do the laundry every walk to the kitchen to make tea every pause between computer strokes is …
We Write Our Own Torah with Our Lives and We Walk Together as One
We Write Our Own Torah with Our Lives and We Walk Together as One I want to speak about the blessed intersection where individuals and community meet. As Jews, this nexus is our most shining moment, the source of our greatest creativity and our deepest gift. It is what makes us a people bonded together …
