Sunflowers face toward the sun when they grow in a process known as heliotropism. Many learn this fact in kindergarten when the teachers plant sunflower seeds in the school garden. It is definitely one of those critical lessons to learn at an early age— to always go where there is light and good energy in life. 

This sounds easier than it is— but the leaves detect the sun and release growth hormones on different sides of the stalk to help the bloom at the top rotate as the sun moves across the sky. There is a spiritual lesson here. Capturing energy always requires energy expense. It takes work to stay in the light. But it is critical to survival. 

This is important on an individual level. But today, I am dedicating this entry to the people of the Ukraine— as the sunflower is their national symbol. It has always been important for them to find the sunshine during those brutal winters. But now that the country has been actively attacked and invaded by Russian forces, they will need to find ways to capture the light in these dark days. 

As various international governments rise up to aid their efforts to defend themselves, communities of peace around the world are also rising up in public squares. People in Jerusalem, the US, Australia, Austria, and so many other places to protest the war and help the Ukrainian people find their light even amidst the echos of the chilling past. 

My grandmother and her parents were among those who fled the Ukraine in 1920 years ago when Petlura and his forces invaded and murdered thousands of Jews in pogroms across the land. And here we are 100 years later, these stories echoing in the hearts of others with families who fled Ukraine, or any place of war ever. With our prayers for them in these troubled times, may God protect the people and especially the children of Ukraine. May they, and we, help find our way to the light.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

A KEEPING IT SACRED CONNECTION TO THE UKRAINE

Our KITS Digital Media Manager, Molly Flanagan, has a longstanding connection with a Wellesley College alumnae, who now works at an organization in Washington, DC with Ukraine. In this time of war and grave danger, they are working to bring people to safety.

To support those who are queer and targeted in Ukraine, they suggest donating to outrightinternational.org/ukraine, which donates directly to Ukrainian organizations without compromising identities in this time of uncertainty. Or, donate to qua.community/news/aid-network, who provide assistance to queer Ukrainian refugees.

In considering support for this organization and efforts like it, we uplift the value of the Sages: "Whoever saves a life, it is as if they saved an entire universe."

May the people of Ukraine be saved. 

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

THIS THURSDAY! Rosh Chodesh is the celebration of the new month. And over the next six months, our Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review series will take time to explore 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook by Patrisse Cullors. Each month, we will discuss two chapters of this work which will simultaneously address transforming our inner personal lives and also the institutional infrastructures of injustice around us. 3pm PT/6pm ET: 3/3, 4/2, 5/8, 5/31, 6/30 and 7/28 Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE

A thousand years ago, Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda decided to pull sacred texts about exceptional character qualities together. He felt this would be a useful tool to inspire people to live lives of meaning. He called his work Duties of the Heart, and it is the work upon which the Mussar Movement is based. The book is available for free on Sefaria.org, and we will take time each week to study teachings and explore how we might make sense of them in our lives today.

Join us for one class, several, or all 9 weeks worth of classes! Please invite your friends to take the series with you, too!

All classes are Sundays 10am PT/1pm ET on:

1/9 Unity

1/16 Reflection

1/23 Service

1/30 Trust

2/6 Devotion

2/13 Humility

2/20 Repentance & Self Accounting

2/27 Abstinence

3/6 Love

Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Invite your friends! Registration is open HERE.

INTERFAITH PURIM ACTIVITY

The holiday of Purim includes not only fun costumes and a retelling of the Purim story, but also gifts to the poor known as mishloach manor. This year, Keeping It Sacred is joining the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita for an outdoor picnic and activity. We will get to know one another as we tie blankets to donate to families at the Children's Hospital. This event will take place March 20 at 3pm PT in person hosted on the campus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Outdoor Picnic Tables. Please let Rabbi Miller know you plan to attend via email at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. For those in our wide KITS community, please find and make plans to volunteer with some project doing good in your area. And please email Rabbi Miller about it at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

BAT MITZVAH AT 100

March 18, 2022 is the centennial of the first public bat mitzvah ceremony in the US! For great programming, see the Jewish Women's Archive here: https://jwa.org/stories/batmitzvah-at-100. And, in honor of this event, our Keeping It Sacred Shabbat Service in March will be dedicated to the topic of the bat mitzvah. Please share your reflections on the significance of your bar/bat/b'nai mitzvah, or the ceremony itself with Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com and mark your calendar for 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET Friday night March 25.

SIGN A PETITION TO END QUALIFIED IMMUNITY

Qualified immunity qualifies cops as immune from accountability. Read more about it and the story of 14-year old Andrew Joseph III, and the outcome of the officer who shot him. And then please sign and share the petition to address the issue of qualified immunity HERE: tinyurl.com/BLMEndQI. Tzedek tzedek tirdof/ Justice, justice you shall surely pursue (Deuteronomy 16:20)

WEDDING PLANNING WORKSHOPS

Engagement Season is HERE! If you or someone you know recently got engaged or married and would enjoy a series of free Wedding Planning Workshops to help navigate the big day and beyond, please check out these free 30-minute workshops!

Sundays at 11:30am PT or Wednesdays at 7pm PT

1/9 & 1/19: Keeping Your Partner at the Center

1/16 & 1/26: Finding a Time & Place & Officiant for Your Wedding

1/23 & 2/2: Honoring Your Loved Ones in the Ceremony

1/30 & 2/9: Making Your Wedding Accessible

2/6 & 2/16: Ceremony Ritual Planning Workshop

2/13 & 2/23: Infusing a Sense of the Sacred into the Ceremony

2/20 & 3/2: Including Various Cultural Traditions

2/27 & 3/9: Jumping Into Life Ahead!

Registration is open now HERE: please share this resource with engaged couples you know and our wedding page at: keepingitsacred.com/weddings

PLUS: Here's a fun video sharing the parts of a Jewish wedding! HERE:

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

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. 

The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Thursdays 11am PT/2pm ET.

Currently, we are 98 members strong from 27 different states and 8 countries!

We are:

People interested in becoming Jewish

Members of various Jewish denominations

Clergy

Lay leaders

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! Benefit from the wisdom of Jewish tradition!

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."

AND just prior to our Talmud Study, we hold space for check-ins and healing prayers for loved ones in need, including ourselves. 

Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated.

To join and of these gatherings, 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.

This past week, the popular website and email listserve, My Jewish Learning, featured Chagigah 18 by our own esteemed Keeping It Sacred Member Sue Parker Gerson. Enjoy!

STOP THE MUSICK COALITION

Sixty percent of people on Orange County Jails are simply pretrial people who cannot afford cash bail. They are subject to these inhumane and medically dangerous conditions due to being poor. This is not right. Bologna and peanut butter & jelly for days on end. No hot meals. Little nutrition. And for those who require specific religious diets like halal or kashrut, none. Please read the summary (attached) the full report (inclided after the summary) and consider writing to the Sheriff along with Rabbi Miller using the pre-written letter, or one you write for yourself. Let’s not treat the poor differently from the wealthy, and let’s disparage no one’s dignity or deny the right to practice a religious diet. 

To read the summary and full report: https://www.stopthemusick.net/reports/

To write to the sheriff: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/oc-faith-community-ask-sheriff-don-barnes-to-resume-hot-food-service-healthy-meals-now-for-all-people-incarcerated-in-oc-jails

UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE: A WORKSHOP

Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Sundays March 20 through April 10 at 10:15am PT/1:15pm ET Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

OUR SECOND ANNUAL REPORT!

We are thrilled to share our reflection on the past year of Keeping It Sacred in our NEW 2021 ANNUAL REPORT. Read through it HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

iCal USER? 

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

EVERY DAY

Please enjoy our 7-episode web series and podcast: People Keeping It Sacred on YouTube HERE or on your favorite podcast player (like: Spotify  Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts). To learn more about Jewish holidays, check out our "A bit about... the holidays" 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.

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/ 3:30pm Brazil time, 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

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, 4pm Brazil time, 7pm London time. Register for this program HERE.  

3/2 WEDDING PLANNING WORKSHOPS: Including Various Cultural Traditions

7pm PT/10pm ET You’re ready to plan a succinct but meaningful ceremony that feels authentic to your relationship and that also doesn’t alienate any of your guests. But where do you begin and how do you bring it all together?  Now is the time to take a breath as you look to plan the perfect wedding that launches your marriage into the best future possible. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

3/3 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

3/6 BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE: LOVE

Sunday, 3/6 at 10am PT/1pm ET, Jewish tradition houses some of the most beautiful teachings on character qualities. We will take time each week to study teachings & explore how we might make sense of them in our lives today. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

3/9 WEDDING PLANNING WORKSHOPS: Jumping Into Life Ahead

7pm PT/10pm ET You’re ready to plan a succinct but meaningful ceremony that feels authentic to your relationship and that also doesn’t alienate any of your guests. But where do you begin and how do you bring it all together?  Now is the time to take a breath as you look to plan the perfect wedding that launches your marriage into the best future possible. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

3/20 UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE

10:15am Sundays March 20-April 10 Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

3/20 INTERFAITH PURIM SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

3-5pm PT locally and in person, KITS will join the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita outdoors. We will get to know one another as we tie blankets to donate to families at the Children's Hospital. This event will take place March 20 at 3pm PT in person hosted on the campus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Outdoor Picnic Tables. Please let Rabbi Miller know you plan to attend via email at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

3/25 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 8/27 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

3/27 UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE

10:15am Sundays March 20-April 10 Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/2 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

4/3 UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE

10:15am Sundays March 20-April 10 Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/10 UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE

10:15am Sundays March 20-April 10 Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/29 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 8/27 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

5/8 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

5/27 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 5/27 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

6/24 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 6/24 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

6/30 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

7/28 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

7/29 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 7/29 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

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...

GIFTS TO KEEPING IT SACRED

All of us at Keeping It Sacred would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to each and every person who has extended a financial gift to the KITS community this past year. You power the work and ensure that quality relevant & empowering programming and resources remain accessible for all regardless of economic capacity. 

If you like what we're doing and would like to make a meaningful gift in this new year of any amount, please visit our contributions page at:

keepingitsacred.com/our-future

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...

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