"Whoever saves a life, saves the entire world." This famous dictum, found in the Mishnah, is wisdom that is over 1800 years old. This is the message I am going to be meditating on this week. Why? Because in these times of the pandemic, it is important to remember that each of our actions have profound impact on those around us. Taking care of one another is of critical importance.

And, let's not forget to apply this idea to ourselves as well. That means that self-care is of critical importance, too! Especially in times of stress. What self-care looks like differs for different people. It may mean calling a friend, taking a walk, doing art, or reading. However you do self-care, remember: it has profound implications and the outcomes are good. Take extra care of yourselves and one another this week. I will be available should you need some extra spiritual support as well; please don't hesitate to reach out.

Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

PEOPLE KEEPING IT SACRED: BENJAMIN SIMPSON

All 7-episodes of our NEW web series, People Keeping It Sacred, are now LIVE on YouTube! The series features Rabbi Miller interviewing some truly inspiring people who are Keeping It Sacred in the world. 

THIS WEEK-- Rabbi Miller interviews Benjamin Simpson! 

Benjamin Simpson lives in New York. He served for five years working to recruit friars for the Vocation office for the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province. He was raised Protestant and now serves as a sponsor for people wishing to join the Catholic Church—and he served on the board of his parish's LGBT Ministry.

We met when we served on a panel for the Queens Public Library on Queer Faith. We love to geek out about history, textual tradition, and theology.

In this episode (S1E3) with Benjamin Simpson, topics discussed include:

-Ways of relating to texts historically and analytically

-Reconciling inconsistencies in the texts

-Transitioning from a wrestle with God and moving toward an embrace

-Deep meanings of Religious relics

-How Covid has impacted Eucharist 

Please remember to like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube!

And, if you would like to share ideas about future guests on the show, or inquire about sponsoring episodes for season 2, please contact Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com.

Finally, you can catch this, and all of the People Keeping It Sacred Episodes as a podcast on all of your favorite podcast players! Listen here:

Spotify  Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts. 

WOMEN RABBIS

How many Reform women rabbis are there in the world? 700. Rabbi Miller proudly serves on the board of the Women's Rabbinic Network, an organization that applies a lens of gender to understanding the contours of the rabbinate, convenes our membership, and builds the world as it ought to be. Members are in various sectors of the rabbinate, multigenerational, and beyond the bounds of geography. Last week, the board met for two days over zoom to plan our work for the year ahead. The focus, dedication, heart, wisdom, and vision was truly inspiring. Please learn more about this amazing organization and our work by clicking HERE.

PLEASE VOTE

If you are eligible and have not done so yet, please vote this week!

A PRAYER FOR THE SEASON OF VOTING

God Almighty,

Makor Chayim,

Source of Life,

You have given human beings 

immeasurable gifts,

not the least of which is that of free will. 

The ability to create our own destiny. 

To determine our own course. 

This season of voting,

many will choose to exercise our free will

at the polls,

to voice our choice for leadership

and policy. 

As we do, teach us to appreciate

the significance of this sacred act:

As we review the voting packet,

guide us with clear vision of

Your most cherished values. 

As we pick up the pen,

remind us that we are writing 

the next pages of our lives. 

As we cast our votes,

remind us not to cast away 

the humanity of our fellow human beings. 

As we await the results,

remind us of those 

who cannot afford to wait for justice. 

God of Emet, God of truth,

Teach all who monitor and administer the 

polling places to value the truth,

to ensure a fair process and an accurate 

count of the hopes of the people

even as many are ineligible to vote or

have already been discouraged 

from doing so.  

May the true will of the people 

be be voiced indisputably. 

Adonai Ezri, God my helpmate,

Fortify my spirit as 

I await the results of this election, 

with so much at stake for so many,

sustain me through the length of the tally,

and may my faith in humanity be affirmed 

in the days of November. 

Shechina, spread over us all

Your great canopy of peace, 

over all who walk in your ways,

and those who do not. 

May you inspire us all to make room 

for our fellow human beings, 

the earth,

and all of its inhabitants. 

May your tent be open and wide.

We desire closeness to You. 

Let us not be cast out from your midst. 

Baruch at Yah, 

Blessed are You, 

source of all that is just 

hear our prayer 

for the sake 

of all your precious Creations. 

Amen. 

TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Join us November 25 at 10:30am PST/1:30pm EST for an unforgettable text study across 10,000 miles! Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation in South Africa has invited our global Keeping It Sacred community to engage in Torah study together via zoom. Rabbi Miller will be teaching hosted by her friend and colleague, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, the first full-time female Rabbi in Cape Town.

Here's the session description:

TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE:The Great Democratization of the Talmud. 

The Jewish custom of studying the Talmud is not new. But studying a page of Talmud every day on a cycle, where the entire global community is synced up and can join in, has only been around since 1923 when Rabbi Meir Shapiro proposed the plan. With technology now, we can jump into conversations with the sages and breathe new life into the texts- come see what the excitement is all about or share your experiences. To register, please indicate your interest by contacting Rabbi Miller HERE. 

HEALING & HEALTH: VOICES FROM OUR SACRED TRADITIONS

Keeping It Sacred partnered with the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita to host this interfaith discussion on health and healing in our traditions. Panelists included Rabbi Heather Miller (Jewish), Jeff Shields (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Dan Radecki (Bah'ai), and Iman Saymeh (Muslim). Video from the event will premiere this week on the Keeping It Sacred YouTube Channel, so please subscribe so you won't miss the episode!

TORAH OF THE WEEK

Happy new week! The reflection called "Good Hellos and Good Byes," on this week's Torah Portion Vayera, Genesis 18:1-22:24, can be found HERE:

TALMUD TEXT STUDY!

Ever want to jump into a conversation with the rabbinic sages of old? Now you can! Join us as we study a page of Talmud every day, adding our perspectives and the relevance to our own lives as we go along. 

New visual depictions of the pages with thoughtful commentary are available every day on Instagram @keepingitsacred and Facebook. Every Thursday, we discuss the past week's selections in real time via zoom, too! 

The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Currently, we are 91 members strong from:

Canada, England, Brazil, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Upstate NY, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Washington, Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, Vermont, Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia.  

We are:

Professors of Jewish Studies

People interested in becoming Jewish

Members of various Jewish denominations as well as transdenominational

Some are Reconstructionist Rabbis

Reform Rabbis

Jewish Professionals

Temple Presidents

Reform Cantors

Retired people

People who are not Jewish

We are in our 20s to 80s, and we are everywhere on the spectrum of gender.

Build community affirming of one another’s journey in the sea of Talmud with us! 

To join, send Rabbi Miller an email or DM on Facebook to be added to the closed, secret Facebook group and/or the weekly text study group. And look for us on Instagram HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

EVERY DAY

Please enjoy our 7-episode web series and podcast: People Keeping It Sacred on YouTube HERE or at: Or on your favorite podcast players (like: Spotify  Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts).

ONGOING: SPIRITUAL COUNSELING

Rabbi Miller is available for 1-on-1 spiritual counseling; pay what you can. Topics are based upon the participant and can include your personal theological understanding of coronavirus, spiritually making space for others in your home, the spirituality of isolation and finding your way back to sacred connection. Please request a meeting by contacting her at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com.

EVERY THURSDAY: PRAYER CIRCLE

Join us as we gather Thursdays for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 2:30pm Brazil time, 6:30pm London-time. Contact rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to request the link and password.

EVERY THURSDAY: KEEPING IT SACRED-DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Our Facebook group will host our next virtual meetup via zoom. For the link to attend this meeting Thursdays 11am PST, 2pm EST, 3pm Brazil time, 7pm London time, please contact Rabbi Miller directly at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. 

WEDNESDAY, 11/25: TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Join us 11/25 at 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST for our text study with friends in South Africa. Rabbi Miller will teach on the great democratization of the Talmud. With technology now, we can jump into conversations across time and space, and breathe new life into the texts- come see what the excitement is all about or share your experiences. To register, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. 

THANK YOU!

You are a cherished member of this community and we love to hear from you-- what questions do you have? Reach out to rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com or via phone at 818-312-8388 anytime to let us know what you’re finding meaningful, inspiring and what you’d like to see.

Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

And now on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, RadioPublic, PocketCasts!

We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to sign up, too!

If you’d like to make sure that this kind of quality programming by

Keeping It Sacred continues, please consider making a donation via:

PayPal using the link here

Venmo username: @keepingitsacred, or

Check may be made out to Keeping It Sacred and mailed to:

27068 La Paz Rd. #781, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...