Yesterday, members of the Keeping It Sacred community gathered online and in person for a beautiful Tashlich ritual of casting physical representations of our spiritual heaviness from the past year into the ocean. Many thanks to all who participated.

The Holiest Day of the Year begins this Friday night. It is not only Shabbat but Yom Kippur is also known as the Shabbat of Shabbats. Meaning: if we reflect on how our actions align with our purported values on Shabbat each week, on Yom Kippur we reflect upon our entire past year- how have we been living up to our standards? It is a day dedicated to pause and reflection. 

Please join us for the four Yom Kippur services we have planned- online or in-person. That’s right! This year, our amazing Cantorial Soloist Rachel Rothman will be joining me in person in Los Angeles for all four of our Yom Kippur services. 

A few notes about them: 

If you plan on joining us in person, please email me at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com so I can make sure you have directions. Also- you will likely want to have the silver Mishkan HaNefesh prayer book with you. It may be too late to order a physical copy but it is available as a digital book HERE. 

For those tuning into services online, we will have the pages available on screen (we paid a special licensing fee for that ability) and as always you will be invited to participate in the service via chat and on screen. Yes, it is interactive and not just a service to “watch” via livestream.  It is important to us that you know you are every part as much of the service as our in-person community members. 

It is not customary to wear a tallit at night throughout the year but- there is a beautiful teaching that says that the holy gates of repentance are open the entire day of Yom Kippur, and thus celestial lights illumine everything. Therefore it is custom to wear the tallit even at night on Yom Kippur. Feel welcome to do so. 

And, Halloween has nothing on Yom Kippur! On Yom Kippur, there is also a custom to wear white, and actually those in conservative and orthodox communities sometimes even wear their kittel- which is their burial shroud- to services. Why? We are in some ways enacting our own deaths. We are trying to remind ourselves that our time is limited and so dressing in white, and not eating helps us to cultivate a sense of closeness to our own death- and that creates urgency. The moment that we take the Torah out of the ark for the recitation of the Kol Nidrei, and we stare into the open empty wooden box, we may feel as if we are staring into our own coffin which prompts further reflection. All of this is in service of the idea that we have limited time so we should not wait to tomorrow to make the changes in our lives we need today. 

And speaking of the Kol Nidrei, this is probably the most central prayer of the High Holy day liturgy and is repeated three times back to back right at the beginning of the Erev Yom Kippur service. It originates from medieval times in the Rhineland. It is haunting and soul-stirring. So you won’t want to be even a couple minutes late to the Erev Yom Kippur service- in person or online, lest you miss it. It begins right at 7pm PT. (Under 75m) Register HERE.

Yom Kippur morning features a Torah Reading and begins right at 10am PT. There will be an opportunity to lift up beautiful blessings we have celebrated this past year, so please consider sharing those when it is time for the reading. (About 75m) Register HERE.

Our Yizkor service is a service dedicated to remembering loved ones who have passed. Please be sure to email our Digital Marketing Director, Molly Flanagan at mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com, with names of your loved ones to remember. If you send their date of death as well, we will add them to our Keeping It Sacred Yahrzeit list and we will lift up their names around the anniversary of their death when it comes up throughout the year. We begin at noon PT  (About 45m) Register HERE.

Finally, our Ne’ilah service is known as the Closing of the Gates service (neilah means “locking.”) Though the gates of repentance are always open, this is the service where we close up this year’s observances. We begin at 5:45pm PT. Following the service, we will celebrate with the havdalah ritual and a traditional break-the-fast nosh. (About 45m) Register HERE.

As always, we do not set a charge for services. It is our fervent commitment to be radically inclusive (known as keruv in Hebrew) where all are welcome regardless of financial capacity. That said, if you have means and want to help us affirm a space where all are welcome, your financial contributions are much appreciated. We welcome your partnership.  Contributions help cover the costs for all of our staff, licensing, accounting, equipment, website, zoom, insurance, partnerships, supplies, and other costs associated with running the community. If you would like to make a contribution, please do so at: keepingitsacred.com/our-future 

Thank you for ensuring we can continue this sacred work. 

This is how we’re Keeping It Sacred. 

Truly together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

REFLECTIONS THROUGH TEXT

Today is a hard day. It is the first anniversary of the October 7 massacre of 1200 people due to violent extremism. Hamas Terrorists made real for our generation the horrific stories we had always heard of from our grandparents and great grandparents. In the days and months following, the splintering of the Jewish community over what to do next only compounded our pain. The powerful role the US plays in the equation, and the horrific images of atrocious actions being done in our name elevates the focus on this activity. And now, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel is fighting on seven fronts. For those of us with family in Israel or currently serving in the IDF, this is especially heavy. 

So today, we will gather for some time to read poetry coming out of the conflict, to process together the unfathomable events of the past year. We will hold sacred space for our grief and try to magnify any glimmers of hope that yet exist. 

Join us for Reflections through Texts - you may register HERE.

REFLECTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS: HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KITS

Join us for the High Holy Days!

Our Founder, Rabbi Heather Miller will bring texts, traditions, and teachings from the wisdom of the Sages into relevance today. And this year, she will again be joined by the talented and good-hearted Cantorial Soloist Rachel Rothman. Rachel holds her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and fuels her spirituality and Judaism through music.

The entire lineup of services will be offered online including a Rosh Hashanah Seder, and a Morning Rosh Hashanah Service, as well as a hybrid (in person and online) Tashlich Service, Kol Nidrei Service, a Yom Kippur morning service, Yizkor, and Neilah service (See below to sign up). As always, services will be free of charge to all who wish to attend, but your contributions allow us to uphold this value of keruv/accessibility. As you reserve, please consider a meaningful gift to help us cover the costs of running this transformational programming and helping to support all of the sacred work we do.

MORE about Cantorial Soloist Rachel Rothman:

We are so blessed as a community to have the exquisite heartfelt musicality of Cantorial Soloist Rachel Rothman co-lead us this High Holy Day Season. She holds her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has spent summers performing with opera festivals in Italy, and currently has an in-demand vocal studio where she teaches voice lessons privately. And, Rachel feels lucky to fuel her spirituality and Judaism through music. Rabbi Miller has known Rachel since 2008 and shares, “Rachel is an incredible talent, with a soul of sincerity, sensitivity, and sensibility. She is a gifted prayer leader with a range from participatory song to high art, having a voice trained by camp song leaders and conservatory instructors alike. I am incredibly excited to again co-lead this season's worship experiences with Rachel.”

Please join us for the High Holy Days-- gather in community for:

Rabbi Miller's sermons from High Holy Day services can be found here. The Rosh Hashanah Day Sermon "Where and How?" is already posted. Please check it out.

A BIT ABOUT … THE NEW YEAR

Check out Rabbi Miller's video about the New Year in our Keeping It Sacred "A bit about..." series. Whether you're new to Judaism or have been celebrating these holy days for years, these episodes are designed to be accessible, relevant, and empowering. Check it out on YouTube HERE, or Listen on Spotify HERE.

RABBI MILLER’S “RESOULUTIONS”

The High Holy Days are coming and we have the perfect book to get you ready- Rabbi Miller’s RESOULUTIONS: A Practical Guide for Self- Repair. 5 stars with 12 reviews! Available everywhere books are sold. For more information, check out: keepingitsacred.com/the-book.

SEND US YOUR IMPORTANT DATES

The Jewish tradition is a tradition of marking time. We remember holy days and ritualize historical events. Personally impactful dates are important, too. So in our community, we celebrate birthdays & anniversaries and honor yahrzeits monthly at services, and read from our Names of Remembrance list at Yizkor/ Remembrance Services. So please, send us your significant dates to mark together as a community to mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com. This is how we’re Keeping It Sacred. 

WELCOMING HENRI

The entire Keeping It Sacred global community wishes a hearty Mazal Tov to Jeff and Chloe who recently welcomed into the world their baby, Henri! With this birth, Rabbi Miller has a new title: Aunt! She writes, “It was an incredible thrill to officiate the wedding of my sister, Chloe and her beloved, Jeff last year and now it is an absolute joy to now welcome Henri into the family. Melissa, the kids and I could not be happier.” Welcome to the world, Henri! And Mazal Tov to Chloe and Jeff!

NEW! KITS LITERARY CLUB

Love literature? A new KITS Literary Club is forming led by, and for, our members. A place to share, create and analyze all things written word. If interested, please contact Digital Marketing Director Molly Flanagan for information on the initial meeting at  mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com. 

SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB

Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining the new KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy. The SGBC will explore books in bi-monthly meetings, with topics and discussions centered on the questions that arise for those who are new to Judaism. With a collaborative approach to book discussion, we envision this book club as a place to make new friends, have nuanced and meaningful discussions, and deepen our relationships with Judaism.

Our next session will meet today, October 7th at 2:30pm PT | 5:30pm ET, register here. We will be Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz! And Rabbi Miller will join us this week. Enjoy this amazing work and let's talk soon!

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Bring your favorite form of creativity to work on, Art, Baking, Craft, Dance, etc. and share inspiration.  Some weeks will include someone teaching how to do a project/technique, other weeks will be purely socializing while we do our own things. 

Our next meeting is: October 20th at 9am PT/ 12pm ET. REGISTER HERE!

SIMCHAT TORAH SHABBAT

Join us October 25th for Simchat Torah Shabbat! It is a special time for reflection and spiritual repair. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Rabbi Miller is our rabbi! And, Max Winer is a storyteller, song leader, and musician who uses these creative expressions to help create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a love of Judaism. All are welcome to join us in person or online. Register HERE.

CHESHVAN ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

At Keeping it Sacred, we observe Rosh Chodesh, the start of each new month, with a Racial Justice Book Review. Each month we examine new material. September 5, we begin a new book: We Refuse, by Kellie Carter Jackson-- see her on CBS talking about this book HERE-- we are excited! (And bonus: she was a professor of our own Molly Flanagan when a student at Wellesley College!) REGISTER HERE! 

Check out dates below for upcoming Rosh Chodesh where we will review We Refuse:

• 11/7 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan: Chapter 1

• 12/5 Rosh Chodesh Kislev: Chapter 2

• 1/2 Rosh Chodesh Tevet: Chapter 3

• 1/30 Rosh Chodesh Shevat: Chapter 4

• 2/27 Rosh Chodesh Adar: Chapter 5

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN OUR TEXTS: “STUDY BREAK” WITH LAASOK

Immigration. Climate change. Marriage equality. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Voting and civic engagement. Respect for fellow human beings.

What does Judaism teach us about creating a just society?

Each month, September through June, we will take a one-hour “study break” to learn about an aspect of social justice in Jewish texts. This series is being taught by a variety of wonderful teachers, and will meet on Monday afternoons (3pm ET / noon PT) throughout the year.

Organized by LAASOK, the liberal Beit MIdrash (“House of Study”). This program is co-sponsored by a number of organizations, including LAASOK, Keeping It Sacred, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, and Kirva. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice

NEW WORKBOOK ABOUT FINANCES

Rabbi Miller was proud to help advise authors Gabriela Lanza and Annie Hamilton in the creation of their new workbook for couples about finances called United We Spend. Rabbi Miller writes: “I highly recommend this workbook to guide couples through an intentional approach to talking about money. The questions are thoughtful and program is designed to bring couples a greater feeling of unity around this important topic.”

The workbook is available HERE https://www.unitedwespend.co/ and is offered at 25% off because of the partnership with Rabbi Miller and the Keeping It Sacred Community. Simply use the discount code PARTNERS25 at checkout. Taking a mindful approach to money matters. 

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

JOIN our healing circle holding space for all looking for prayers for healing. This and EVERY THURSDAY -- at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET.

*NOTE FOR THE FUTURE: Due to Rosh Hashanah, our 10/3 Healing Circle and Talmud Study will be postponed until the following week (10/10). Please gather with us for Rosh Hashanah and all our High Holy Day programming. Information HERE.

Immediately following that: at 11am PT/2pm ET, join us as we jump into a conversation with the rabbinic sages of old. We enjoy studying a page of Talmud every day and reviewing together every Thursday, adding our perspectives and the relevance to our own lives as we go along. We enjoy participation from participants across the world who span the spectrum of race, gender, class, age, and connection to Jewish thought.

The rabbis could never have imagined such a wonderful group considering their thoughts!

What people say:

"Yesterday's class was superb!! I remain impressed by so many things that you do! You are able to keep us on track, share (some of) your knowledge with us, make all sorts of connections to the Jewish and secular worlds, and meet each of us where we are! Kudos to you!!"

"Talmud study has opened a window to that world for me. I love the anthropology and sociology of it all."

"The minority opinions may someday count as much as the majority opinions. It reminds us that things change the Halacha changes and we change each year that we read it."

"We have the opportunity to compare the Halacha we are practicing today with the one they were writing and studying in the Talmud... It has been very interesting how things have evolved how we keep the tradition in our own way."

"I feel very close to this amazing group and I'm grateful to Rabbi Miller for conducting it."

To join, please register HERE. Also, DM Rabbi Miller on Facebook HERE to be added to the closed, secret group where we question and discuss. And look for us on Instagram daily HERE.

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Join us online at: keepingitsacred.com, Instagram accounts @hearabbi and @keepingitsacred, our Facebook pages HERE and HERE, YouTube Channel HERE and podcasts everywhere. Join us there for updated Talmud posts, Torah commentary, inspirations and invitations to gather online and in person.

Whether you found us through a friend, neighbor, a listserve or browsing the internet, we are glad you're here!

If you are a subscriber, you are a member! We have no membership dues!

HIGH HOLY DAYS: THE BASICS

Check out 18Door’s High Holy Days: The Basics here!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

iCal USER? 

If you use iCal and would like the complete Keeping It Sacred calendar added to your calendar, click HERE. This way you won't miss an opportunity to connect via our LIVE activities. 

EVERY DAY

Please enjoy TWO seasons of our 7-episode web series People Keeping It Sacred and our Jewish Holiday series called "A Bit About..." both available on YouTube HERE and via podcast on your favorite podcast player including: PocketCasts, Breaker, RadioPublic, Apple + Podcasts, Spotify and more HERE.

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. For more information, click HERE. Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE.

10/2 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder

6pm PT/9pm ET (60m) Celebrate the birth of the world by breaking bread together as one beautifully diverse human family. Please register for this program: HERE. 

10/3 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Rosh Hashanah

10am PT/ 1pm ET (75 min) Celebrate the birth of the world in gathered community. Please register for this program: HERE. 

10/4 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Second Day Rosh Hashanah

10am PT/1pm ET, we will celebrate the Second Day Rosh Hashanah. Gain the tools needed for spiritual growth with Kimberly Dueñas. REGISTER HERE.

10/6 CREATIVITY CLUB

Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Bring your favorite form of creativity to work on, Art, Baking, Craft, Dance, etc. and share inspiration at 9am PT|noon ET. REGISTER HERE.

10/6 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Tashlich Service & Beach Hangout

11AM LIVE from the beach in California, join Rabbi Miller in person or via LIVESTREAM for a special Tashlich Service and KITS family hangout. Gather in community and start the year with spiritual renewal. Please register for this program: HERE.

10/7 REFLECTING ON OCTOBER 7 AND EVERYTHING AFTER TOGETHER

Join your Keeping It Sacred community to mourn the events of October 7 and the devastation that continues. Together, we will hold space for our grief and our pain and find ways to bravely whisper our hopes for the region.  Rabbi Miller will facilitate the sharing beginning at 9am PT/noon ET. REGISTER HERE!

10/7 SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB

Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining the new KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy! We will be reviewing Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz for our third meeting, with special guest Rabbi Heather Miller! REGISTER HERE.

10/10 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

10/10 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.   

 
10/11 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Kol Nidrei/Erev Yom Kippur

7pm PT/10pm ET (75 min) Enter into the holiest day of the year with the soul-work of reflection and repair. For more information and to register, please visit: HERE.

10/12 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Day

10am PT/1pm ET (75 min) Focus on the texts, melodies and actions needed to rejuvenate the soul in community not bound by geographic limitations. For more information and to register, please visit: HERE.

10/12 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Yizkor Remembrances 

Noon PT/3pm ET (45 min) Gather in community to remember loved ones we have lost but hold dear in our hearts this and every year. For more information and to register, please visit: HERE.

10/12 HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Ne'ilah & Break-the-Fast

5:45pm PT/8:45pm ET (60 min) Rejoice in the conclusion of the day. For more information and to register, please visit: HERE.

10/17 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

10/17 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.   

10/20 CREATIVITY CLUB

Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Bring your favorite form of creativity to work on, Art, Baking, Craft, Dance, etc. and share inspiration at 9am PT|noon ET. REGISTER HERE.

10/24 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

10/24 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.   

10/25 SIMCHAT TORAH SHABBAT

Join us for Shabbat — Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Rabbi Miller is our rabbi! And, Max Winer is a storyteller, song leader, and musician who uses these creative expressions to help create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a love of Judaism. Register HERE.

10/31 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

10/31 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.   

11/3 CREATIVITY CLUB

Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Bring your favorite form of creativity to work on, Art, Baking, Craft, Dance, etc. and share inspiration at 9am PT|noon ET. REGISTER HERE.

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 rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.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...

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