“In the midst of our lives, we must find the magic to make our souls soar.”
Every Sacred Journey begins with a really good story....
Once upon a time there was this luminous little soul (ahem, YOU!) and it came here to earth school with infinite wonder, and awe, and delight. This little being was pure love.
Earth school however was not ponies and rainbows.
Over time, it experienced hurt, betrayal, anger, sadness.
And while it had moments of all the breathtaking beauty it knew before, it also seemed to end up in the fetal position on the bathroom floor occasionally. So to avoid this, it developed habits to protect it from pain that felt just awful.
Even though this soul knew it was here to learn and grow, at times it felt rather exasperated. “Why does this have to be so friggin’ hard?!” it would mutter to itself. “There is so much love and goodness in this world, all I want is connection, and joy, and spirit!”
It felt frustrated indeed.
And then one day something wondrous occurred.
It stumbled upon a gathering of other souls. Hallelujah! Finally it didn’t need to grow and expand alone anymore.
It seemed this group liked to gather twice a month, because well, you know life. Life seemed to be always changing and these souls knew they needed each other. Every time they met, they would remind each other to come from love, have sacred boundaries, tune into their inner knowing, and cheer each other on!
Some of these souls had been in earth school for many decades, other just a few. Some of them liked particular religious paths, others liked being generally spiritual. They celebrated all their different backgrounds.
What’s more, they had a miraculous way to gather, it was called Zoom. So no matter where they were, they always had each other. They called this gathering Sacred Journey--because it was very sacred indeed, and holy moly, being a soul sure was a journey!
One of these souls guided each get-together. She didn't have all the answers, but she asked excellent questions. She helped each soul remember all the Divine wisdom inside them. And she made sure everyone felt really safe and seen and loved. She also seemed to have quite the affinity for hot cocoa. She couldn’t get enough. And bike rides. And swing dancing. But not usually at the same time.
These souls were good at having fun. They especially liked having soul dance parties. (Some of them could really shake it)! They laughed about family antics. They shared pictures of their soul adventures, and they made art to remember all of the things they were learning along the way. Their stick figures were legendary!
They loved their gatherings so much that they knew they must invite more souls to join. “We are not meant to do earth school alone” they often declared.
So they wanted you to know that if you too would like to tend to ways your sweet soul feels stuck, and you’re intrigued about your own higher spiritual soul perspective, and cannot wait for the magic of deep connection with other soul friends, they would very much like to welcome you.
Just make sure to bring all that beautiful light of yours. And your soul sneakers, because we know you’ve got moooooooves!
Sacred Journey
The magic of our Sacred Journey virtual community.
My intentions for each member, and how we integrate our spiritual, emotional, and communal flourishing.
Soul Love...
"Sacred Journey is the medicine my higher Self knew I needed but didn't know I could find. It's been so healing and inspiring to meet with other thoughtful people as we engage in our unique yet overlapping sacred journeys. Jessica has a gift for balancing depth and joy in what often become life-changing conversations in each session. I'm hugely grateful for Sacred Journey and can't wait for the next chapter!" ~ Lizzie
Your soul might be pondering these questions...
-What kind of folks join Sacred Journey?
Our Sacred Journey-ers are:
~Eager for a soul family: those who choose to dive deep into creating heart-centered, Divinely infused lives.
~May be in a moment of transition or change and want to listen anew to inner guidance and reawaken connection to what matters most.
~Celebrate the diversity of spiritual expression. Some souls are Jewish, and want a more personally relevant relationship to their heritage. Some are spiritual but not religious and want to mark sacred time and connect with Source in new ways.
~Delight in bringing creativity and art (in a gentle, easy way) into spiritual life.
~Enjoy inner reflection and are excited to share authentically in community.
****
-What is the philosophy of Sacred Journey?
Each virtual gathering builds on 3 principles:
Tending to our inner emotional life--nurturing where we have a desire, a curiosity, feel stuck, or scared. This inner tending opens us to explore “What new story wants to be lived through us?”
Connecting to our Spirit. Each soul has a unique connection to inner guidance, creative possibility, Love, and Divinity. Sacred Journey teaches you how to nurture this connection so you can receive even more access to its assistance. It’s SO empowering to clarify how to move beyond the narrowness of fear or old stories and live in alignment with what is in the highest for our soul-expansion.
The magic of connection. Friends, we are not meant to do earth school alone! The depth of meaning and joy that awaits us when we bring our full selves to sacred community supports our soul-flourishing in ways we could never do alone.
Profound healing, delight, and meaning is possible when we nourish ALL of us--our emotional, spiritual, and communal lives!
Soul Love...
"I have been in Sacred Journey for only a few months, but don’t feel like I’m new. All the group members were very welcoming, and have treated me the same as long timers. The group is very supportive, we are all working together on our own spiritual journeys. The opening breathing meditations truly help me step out of the hurry of each day. Every session there is something new to explore. Rabbi Jessica is an incredibly supportive and warm facilitator, a spirit that permeates the group. Jessica is not just a facilitator, she is on the journey with us. We all learn from each other. The group feels like family to me, and I love it." ~ Tim
Sacred Journey integrates these 3 principles to offer you a year-long experience.
(Insider tip... most of our Sacred Journey-ers love it so much they remain with us for years)!
The rhythm of the seasons shapes our exploration.
Nature’s cycles offer universal themes to carry us forward.
- Spring: From Narrowness to the Promised Land
- Springtime is a season of renewal and rebirth. How can we look at the narrative of moving from a place of constriction to expansion in our own lives? What in our own lives are we ready to encounter now that we were not able to before? In the journey of freedom, what is your Promised Land?
- Summer: Nature's Rhythms & Ritual
- Nature offers us such guidance for our human journey--modeling the wisdom in cycles of birth and destruction, growth and rest. Creating days of rest renews our connection to holiness. How might you create sacred rest for yourself? Are there rituals that you might incorporate to add intentionality to mark sacred time. Together we explore blessings as a way to consecrate our lives through ritual.
- Early Fall: Return to Our Essence
- Early fall is a time of turning. Turning inward and reflecting on the year that was. Returning to our truest self. Turning toward others to ask for forgiveness for ways we missed the mark. Turning forward to the coming year to ask what within us wants to be created. As we reflect on the past year, we ask ourselves, “What story of my life is asking to be written this year?”
- Mid-Fall: Harvesting Our Joy
- There is a Jewish commandment to partake in joy! What is true joy for you? How might you intentionally cultivate more authentic joy in your life? Are there things you are called to stop doing that would lead to more joy?
- Winter: Miracles as a Change in Perception
- As the days grow shorter and darker, we turn our hearts to miracles. How do you understand miraculous moments? What might it be like for every day to be a miracle treasure hunt? If we see miracles as a change in perception, how can we work with perceptions that cause us suffering? Then, as we move into late winter, we will partake in a festive meal together to ritualize the first buds beginning to appear on trees and the first seedlings germinating beneath the soil. How do we see our own inner lives like these plants--what hard shells protect us? What husks need to break for our own sprouts to blossom?
Soul Love...
"Jessica's unique and powerful blend of unique spirituality, humor and deep wisdom created a powerful and safe container for me to gain insight and ah-ha's. Because she draws from such a mix of philosophies, writers, experiences, and traditions, there is something for everyone." ~ Stacy
Mischief in the garden, 3 years old
About Your Soul-Guide...
Early Years
Once upon a time, a soul came down to earth school. It wasn’t her first rodeo here in this magical place of growth, but it was her first time in a city called Chicago and choosing these specific soul-lessons with these particular parents and little sister.
From her very early years she was fascinated by the unseen world. “Where does love come from? Can we imagine things into reality?” she would ponder. When she was four years old, her mom said she would guide a spiritual community. How do moms know these things?!
Her family belonged to a progressive synagogue and this soul loved going to services--seeing families each week, singing songs that touched her heart, and eating Entenmann's chocolate chip cookies after services. How do they get them so chewy and delicious she often thought in wonder?
The Beauty and Angst of Adolescence
As a teenage soul, she always loved building community. She hosted epic potluck dinners filled with laughter, sharing the struggles of high school (gosh, those years can be brutal for souls can’t they?!) and cheerleading each other. During that time, she would experience her parent’s divorce and a family member’s struggle with mental illness. These experiences shaped her deeply, but it would take many, many years until she would be able to understand their gifts.
Leading a women's retreat, Colorado 2018
Photo: Kelly Shroads, @ESSENCEANDARTISTRY
Becoming a Rabbi
As her love of creating meaning and ritual in community grew, she decided to become a rabbi. This path took her to serve college students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and a beloved synagogue in Everett, Washington. It was an immense gift to be able to stand beside her congregants to bless all the beauty and fragility of life. These moments anchored her own inner clarity to prioritize what matters most and help others do the same.
More Spirit, Less Religion
And then one day, she heard an inner voice telling her it was time to expand how she served spiritually. She took a big leap and moved to Denver. There in the Rockies, she spent a lot of time playing in the mountains and offering retreats and workshops that fused personal growth and spiritual paths beyond Judaism. She wove together practices of connecting to the energy in us and around us, hearing the ways Divinity speaks uniquely to each soul, art therapy, and deepening understandings of how we exist in the world as both humans AND Divine beings. She loved being able to fuse energy and consciousness with inner growth alongside Judaism’s connection to nature’s cycles and expansive theology.
Jessica and her sweetie Zenia
Love!
At the very very end of 2020, this soul would receive another invitation to skyrocket her growth. After many years of waiting to meet her person, it happened! In her eternal optimism, she thought that when she met her sweetie, they would just waltz off into the sunset. Instead, connecting with her partner would invite her into an even bigger adventure--healing old protective patterns she didn’t even know she held!
Her relationship brought her to a tiny town in California’s Eastern Sierra. Living somewhere so remote (she may have once or twice referred to it as the godforsaken middle of nowhere) ensured that she couldn’t escape the transformation waiting for her. Sometimes moments that bring us to our knees catapult us into levels of love and connection we never imagined possible. As a couple, they love creating spiritual gathering places. Navigating inner metamorphoses together, they’re infinitely stronger as a couple. Instead of waltzing off into sunsets, they enjoy the heck outta kitchen dancing, especially West Coast Swing. It’s more their style.
The Magic of Sacred Journey
Sacred Journey was born in 2022, although it evolved out of decades of leading group experiences and shepherding other souls through transformation. There is infinite joy and meaning that is here for all of us. It has been this soul’s absolute honor to lead Sacred Journey-ers’ inner flowering in such a rich and inspiring community.
She would love to have you with us if your soul is called.
PS. More about this soul’s interviews and writing, wedding officiation, podcasting, distance cycling, and enthusiasm for the intersection of human-ing and Divine connection HERE. Let her know if you’d like to go for a bike ride together, just be prepared, sometimes she rides so fast, she breaks the sound barrier. :)
Soul Love...
"Jessica is a force of nature! With endless enthusiasm, insight, and compassion, she synthesizes teachings from diverse schools of thought into practices for joyful living.
Guiding participants to align with their core values and intentionality, I enjoyed a lot of personal growth and a greater ability to shift into a high-vibe mindset as I reach for my dreams with clarity. An added emphasis on acceptance and trust makes for a sweet spiritual cocktail! Tapping into Spirit under Jessica’s warm and energetic direction—with the added sense of community and friendship fostered by group work—was, and remains, a pleasure." -Kate
"Jessica has an absolute gift for hearing your Soul’s voice, giving it space, and helping you feel connected to that Divine Oneness we’re all part of! Whether she’s just listening, providing perspective, offering helpful practices, or facilitating spine-tingling and tailored rituals (her Divinely-given gift)!! You’ll leave her presence feeling grounded, inspired, and energized!" -Stacy
"Your presence in my life is a blessing and inspiration. Your smile and joy is infectious and always helps put perspective in all situations. Your open heart and deep kindness have helped me become a better and more cognizant person. I so appreciate your work, your steadiness, and your love." ~ Vicki
Sacred Journey Gathering, 2024
FAQ ~ Creating Sacred Space
-How do we structure each gathering?
We begin each virtual gathering with a short story or guided visualization settling into sacred space together.
Then, I will share a teaching on our current chapter’s theme. This might be quotes, a philosophy, or another way to play with a concept.
We spend time exploring these ideas through guided refection, sharing as a group or in pairs, journaling, or making art. Sacred Journey members are invited to articulate how a theme lands in their hearts or what it inspires within them.
We close with illuminating what each person is holding with them and a blessing to conclude.
Sometimes we share leadership-inviting a participant to contribute to an evening. It’s beautiful to offer our own gifts and learn from each other. Each gathering is 75 minutes.
-Can a virtual program really create the connection I seek?
Sacred Journey is fully interactive with dynamic exercises and spaciousness for heartfelt sharing. The virtual format gives us the flexibility to gather wherever we are. We spend a lot of time creating safety for deep sharing so that our virtual experience offers depth and connection.
We love in personal gatherings, too, and are working towards an in-person retreat together in the future.
-What is most powerful about Sacred Journey?
Coming together with a shared intention for living from love opens a door for each soul to feel seen and affirmed in their own truth. When a soul feels seen, doors open to clarify what we yearn for and then to align our heart, mind, and action to those desires. You are guaranteed a loving community to cheer you on and receive support. We encourage dreaming big, always!
-How can I stay connected with other participants in between gatherings?
We have a private discussion forum where we provide conversation prompts and opportunities to connect with other participants. Folks share joyous moments from their lives, get support with sticky spots, and everything in between. You can participate as much or as little as your heart desires.
-Are there opportunities for 1-1 support?
Absolutely! If at any time you'd like individual guidance, I'm delighted to offer Sacred Journey participants 10% off spiritual coaching sessions. Info HERE.
-What if I miss a session?
All sessions will be recorded. If you miss one, you will receive a replay!
Soul Love...
"Sacred Journey has been life changing and always seems to embrace every nuance of every one of the members perfectly; encouraging, embracing and emboldening us all to live more fully and with more connection and freedom to be ourselves fully." ~ Rebecca
FAQ ~ Logistics
-When may new participants join Sacred Journey?
We open registration at the beginning of each new chapter, 5 times a year.
-How many participants are in Sacred Journey?
We put a lot of intentionality towards an intimate journey with time for each person to speak, share, and ask questions. Sacred Journey has no more than 30 souls to create this safe space.
-How long is Sacred Journey?
Joining Sacred Journey is a transformational journey that weaves together your spiritual, emotional, and communal selves. We travel together as a group and nurture this cohesion and stablity for us to do the sacred growth we seek to do. We ask souls to intentionally commit to Sacred Journey for a year when they begin. Many of our participants have stayed with us since Sacred Journey began.
If for any reason you choose to end your participation, simply let us know before the first of the month when payments are processed.
-How do we create safety for deep sharing?
It’s 100% normal to feel uncertain when we join a new group or share our emotions. I can promise you: A) that other new folks are experiencing similar feelings so you're in good company. B) We spend a lot of time creating shared agreements for safe space– listening without judgment, confidentiality, sharing the floor, the power of silence, not needing to always fix or suggest, etc.
Participants never have to share, each person is granted their own sovereignty. These agreements offer everyone a foundation of reassurance and shared understanding.
Soul Love...
"Jessica is literally my personal ambassador of magic...I don't even have the right words yet. I am overflowing with so much gratitude and excitement!!!! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU. Shocked, stoked, and gratefully yours." ~ Stacy
"You have such an amazing gift for bringing strangers together and creating a sense of connection and interconnectedness. Your boundless authenticity and love creates sacred space." ~ Susan
"Your words always inspire me. I so appreciate and admire your ability to bring out the best in us." ~ Melanie
I'm Ready!
Soul Love...
"The way Jessica shows up for us all, imparting wisdom in the moment, asking loving and inquisitive questions, and spreading love and acceptance toward us all is the gift of a lifetime!!!!" ~Ellen
Timing, Dates, Payment
When do we meet?
We meet twice a month virtually on Tuesdays for 75 minutes. 5-6:15pm PST / 8-9:15 pm EST over Zoom.
Sacred Journey is an ongoing program that continues year to year.
When can I join?
Registration for sacred journey opens up at the beginning of each new chapter, five times a year. When you register, Jessica will let you know when the next chapter is beginning.
What is the payment structure?
You will be billed $150 monthly for the duration of Sacred Journey.
If for any reason, you choose to end your participation, simply let us know before the first of the month when payments are processed.
More Soul Love...
"Jessica is a force of nature! With endless enthusiasm, insight, and compassion, she synthesizes teachings from diverse schools of thought into practices for joyful living.
Guiding participants to align with their core values and intentionality, I enjoyed a lot of personal growth and a greater ability to shift into a high-vibe mindset as I reach for my dreams with clarity. An added emphasis on acceptance and trust makes for a sweet spiritual cocktail! Tapping into Spirit under Jessica’s warm and energetic direction—with the added sense of community and friendship fostered by group work—was, and remains, a pleasure." ~ Kate
"Jessica has an absolute gift for hearing your Soul’s voice, giving it space, and helping you feel connected to that Divine Oneness we’re all part of! Whether she’s just listening, providing perspective, offering helpful practices, or facilitating spine-tingling and tailored rituals (her Divinely-given gift)!! You’ll leave her presence feeling grounded, inspired, and energized!" ~ Stacy
What Sacred Journey is Calling You Forward?
Join the Community, Connection, and Spirit!