SHALOM!

These days, sitting down to read the news requires us to first take a deep breath to prepare ourselves. Terrible things are happening in the world around us. And, the onslaught is truly disheartening. 

This week, the Jewish people  also observed Tisha B’Av- a holiday commemorating a litany of calamities that have befallen our people including the tragedies of the destruction of the first and second temple. 

Communally, we gathered in mourning to lament and wail. These mourning practices are an important part of Jewish heritage- we are a people who remembers and commemorates and memorializes. 

Following this communal grief is a period of consolation which began this past Friday night which was Shabbat Nachmu, the Shabbat of consolation. Shabbat Nachmu is a holiday where we lift one another out of our sorrow and despair and resolve to work for a greater perfection of the world through tikkun olam/ a fixing of the world. In all it is a holiday dedicated to consoling our grief and leading us to better appreciate the beauty of the life we have. The Torah portion we read included the Levitical precept: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Spreading love is an antidote to the sadness- we still have work to do! It is a time to be empowered, upbeat, and hopeful. 

In the week ahead, Tuesday night, we will celebrate Tu B’Av, the Jewish holiday lifting up the joys of love, which has been described as a kind of Jewish Valentine’s Day. 

And, in celebration of all of this, we at Keeping it Sacred, in partnership with Don’t Tell Comedy and the Women Drivers Interfaith Group have organized a special program to spread love across various faith traditions and across the world: An Interfaith Comedy Trivia Night that YOU play right from the comfort of your own home and the cutting edge technology of your own internet provider. See details below for details. 

As the psalm says, “Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.” Join is for joyful programming this week and throughout our upcoming Sweet & Sacred Season (more details below). You’ll be glad you did. 

Thank you for #keepingitsacred

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KEEPING IT SACRED

JOIN US for our Sweet and Sacred Season!

This year is different from all other years. But, we at Keeping It Sacred are dedicated to lifting up the essence of the High Holy Day Season: Sweetness and Sacredness. We have designed a comprehensive High Holy Day experience that will emphasize these qualities amidst the chaos in the world around us. Join us for intentional programming rooted in the wisdom of Jewish tradition. All programs are designed by Rabbi Miller to be accessible, relevant and empowering. Explore the programming HERE. 

INTERFAITH COMEDY TRIVIA FUNDRAISER

I’m so excited to announce a partnership months in the making: 

Interfaith Comedy Trivia Night WITH PRIZES!

Ever since I was a contestant on a game show in the ‘80s, I have loved the fun of trivia competitions. And this one will be like none before- 

• First, all are welcome to play as contestants LIVE from around the country from the comfort of your own home. How? There’s some amazing technology that our partners at Don’t Tell Comedy have figured out and as long as you know how to open up a YouTube link, you’ll be able to play! So invite your friends to join!
   
• Second, all of the questions will involve trivia about world religions. Have you ever wanted to test your interfaith intelligence? Now you can, and compete against others!
   
• Third, the questions have been written by and will be presented by a selection of top comedians of various religious backgrounds, proof that the Creator has a sense of humor!
   
• Fourth, this event is FREE unless, when you register for the link, you decide to make a donation. If you do, 100% of the proceeds will go to the United Religions Initiative, a global interfaith organization whose mission is to bridge differences between people of all beliefs, to create community, and to solve local and global challenges.
   

Let’s build a world that’s more understanding and connected, while participating in a fun and funny competition!

Did I mention there are prizes?!?

Click on the button below to register:

SACRED SHARING & LISTENING

The ancient rabbis asked years ago:

How are ears like doors? Both can be opened and shut at will.

This past week, 30+ members of the Women Drivers Interfaith Group gathered to share and hear stories about how racism has impacted our sister’s lives. 

Six incredible speakers generously offered remembrances of their personal life experiences.  

• Being called names was just the tip of the iceberg. They shared of:
• Being threatened with a rifle pointed at them
• A loved one being threatened with a weapon 
• Being passed over for a job
• Being taught by their parents to never go anywhere in fewer than a group of two
• Being taught to dress up to go out, especially when buying something at the store 
• Teaching their kids not to wear hoodies
• Telling their spouses not to get gas after dark
• The necessity of being able to code switch to speak to the comfort level of whomever they interact with
• Police stopping their spouse for wearing flip flops and walking in their own neighborhood 
• And more...

The impact of racism is real. And it hinders communities and denies humanity. One panelist notes that she and other panelists want what any of us want: for “our families to be safe, to be able to go places without being questioned, for our children to come home alive, and to not be treated in such a way that would make us feel inferior to anyone else.”

It was clear to all who attended that we each have a serious responsibility to interrupt racism wherever we see it. 

Rabbi Hillel was once asked to sum up Judaism briefly. He answered: “What is hateful to you, do not do to others. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study.” 

We must educate ourselves in how we are part of a system that perpetuates these kind of hateful acts, and consider how we may interrupt these patterns. Over the next six weeks we will continue to consider how we impact the world. As we do so, may our understanding of the problem of systems of racism inform our actions to bring greater dignity first to ourselves, then to our circles of influence, and then to the world.

RABBI MILLER'S BOOK CLUB

There is ONE MORE CHANCE to discuss When They Call You A Terrorist by Patrice Cullors together! Please join us: THIS SUNDAY, August 9 at 10am PT/1pm ET.

This book raises issues including exploring systemic racism and considering how we can change a system that for too long has denied the dignity of swaths of humanity. Dignity is among the highest human values; in the Jewish tradition, denying dignity is akin to killing a person (like killing their soul), and we all know that saving a life is the highest value.

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

Whether you can make it or not, please visit rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to sign up to our mailing list for future opportunities to explore other works critical to our understanding of the world around us today, and how we can engage in tikkun olam.

TALMUD OF THE WEEK

We continue our DAILY study of the Talmud, a work produced over 1500 years ago! This study is called Daf Yomi (a page a day) and we are seeking out the modern meaning, relevance and values on each page. 

Click on the image below to be taken to Rabbi Miller's original Daf Yomi #Talmudgrams on Instagram and then click on the individual photos you like for gems from the text. Don't forget to like, share, and comment! You don't need an Instagram account! You can also find these on Facebook here.

Let us invite you to study the page a day within our own private, sacred Facebook group called Keeping It Sacred- Daf Yomi Group. You will need an invitation to join, so please email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to participate. We'd love to study with you!

Our closed, secret Facebook group also meets every Thursday after the Healing Circle to discuss the week's texts. Join us! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and passcode. 

TORAH OF THE WEEK:

Happy new week! The reflection called "Not Bread Alone," on this week's Torah Portion on Parashat Eikev, Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25, can be found HERE:

RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELF-REPAIR

Rabbi Miller's book,

Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair

is available for purchase!

"As a rabbi, I'm always looking for new ways to reinterpret the power of the month of Elul. As we head toward the High Holy Days and the theme of starting fresh with a clean slate, a guided text like ReSOULutions is perfect for starting the conversation. This text is clearly written, beautifully arranged, and thoughtfully presented in a way that allows the reader - at any level of knowledge or experience - to connect with their inner soul, and with their personal mission to improve their life. Highly recommend!"

-Rabbi Jeffrey Astrachan

"Having spent much of my professional life serving as a congregational cantor, I always gravitate toward opportunities to get my spiritual “batteries” recharged as preparation for the High Holy Days. I found RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELF REPAIR, by Rabbi Heather Miller to be an important, exceedingly rich guide, written thoughtfully and accessibly, filled with true soul enrichment. This is a perfect way to enter the month of Elul, with an excellent step by step, day by day guide with delectable soul food along with daily new details to stimulate our intellect. A new MUST for the High Holy Days, and/or year round. Will join the ranks of seasonal Jewish classics!"

-Cantor Shula Kalir-Merton

Click here to purchase for just $8.99!

TALMUD STUDY: JOIN THE 1500 YEAR OLD CONVERSATION!

We continue our DAILY study of the Talmud, a work produced over 1500 years ago! This study is called Daf Yomi (a page a day) and we are seeking out the modern meaning, relevance and values on each page. 

We are 72 members strong from:

Canada, England, 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

We are everywhere on the spectrum of gender.

And, we are each of us are affirming of one another’s journey in the sea of Talmud! Plus, we enjoy meeting in real time via zoom every Thursday at noon PST/ 3pm EST/ 8pm Londontime.

To join us, send Rabbi Miller an email or DM on Facebook to be added to the closed, secret Facebook group.

KIDS CORNER

SHABBAT SINGALONG:

The Shabbat Singalong program for kids (and kids at heart) will now be featured once a month on Saturdays at 9am! Upcoming dates include: THIS SATURDAY 8/8, 9/5, and 10/17. Join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for songs, Hebrew learning, a Torah story, and space to express gratitude. Contact Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller.com/contact for the link and passcode!

RESOURCE BANK!

Here are resources to keep your little ones engaged until our next meetup! Stay tuned for our resource bank every week!

SHALOM SESAME:

Word of the Day: SORRY for younger listeners [1-minute video]

https://youtu.be/-AZ3BhHXhow

FAMILY GAME OF JEWPARDY – WHO WILL WIN IN YOUR HOUSE?

http://www.behrmanhouse.com/jewpardy-high-holiday-edition

FOR OLDER KIDS:

Talk about what you want to accomplish in the New Jewish Year, 5781. Is it something at home? At school? With your friends? Jewishly?

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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 NOW AT 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 6:30pm London-time. Contact rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to request the link and password.

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

As noted above, our Facebook group will host our next virtual meetup via zoom. For the link to attend this meeting Thursdays noon PST, 3pm EST, 8pm London time, please contact Rabbi Miller directly at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. 

THURSDAY, 8/6 INTERFAITH COMEDY TRIVIA GAME NIGHT

Join us THIS THURSDAY night for a LIVE Interfaith Trivia Game Night that you can play from the comfort of your own home using the internet. Do you think you know about the world's religions? Find out! Comedians ask the questions in their comedic way! This event is free with registration, though if you choose to donate, all proceeds will be directed to United Religions Initiative, which unites people of all beliefs, to create community, and to solve local and global challenges. Register here for the event here: https://www.donttellcomedy.com/tickets/trivia8620

SATURDAYS 8/8, 9/5 and 10/17: SHABBAT SINGALONG 

9am PST, noon EST, join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for an uplifting kid-friendly Monthly Shabbat Singalong. Pick up some Hebrew vocabulary and get in touch with gratitude in community! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and password.

SUNDAYS, 6/21, 6/28, 7/12, and 8/9: RABBI MILLER'S BOOK CLUB

Rabbi Miller will host a book club to discuss two books addressing systemic racism, and will share connections to ancient Jewish texts that apply. We will discuss:
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

June 21 at 7pm PT,

and June 28 at 10am PT

When They Call You A Terrorist by Black Lives Matter co-Founder, Patrisse Cullors

July 12 at 7pm PT and

Augist 9 at 10am PT-- LAST CHANCE!!! Please join us. 

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

JOIN US for our Sweet and Sacred Season!

This year is different from all other years. But, we at Keeping It Sacred are dedicated to lifting up the essence of the High Holy Day Season: Sweetness and Sacredness. We have designed a comprehensive High Holy Day experience that will emphasize these qualities and uplift the essence of the holy days. Join us for intentional programming rooted in the wisdom of Jewish tradition. All programs below are designed by Rabbi Miller to be accessible, relevant and empowering. And, unless otherwise noted, each are 1-hour. All are welcome. To register, click HERE.
 

SUNDAY AUGUST 9, INTRO TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS

11:30am PST/2:30pm EST New to the High Holy Days? The Days of Awe? The Jewish New Year? Or would you like to go deeper in your understanding of this sweet and sacred season? Rabbi Miller will guide us through the structure of these days and offer spiritual frameworks to help us prepare to enter with intention. All are welcome! Register for programming HERE. 

TUESDAY, 8/12, DINNER WITH THE RABBIS OF THE TALMUD II

5pm PST/8pm EST This program follows up on our Shavuot Slumberparty with the Rabbis program, where we began to learn about various rabbis and their relationships with one another, their personalities, backgrounds and perspectives. For those who joined us for part one or those who are joining us for the first time. Register for programming HERE. (2 hours)

SUNDAYS, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30 and 9/6: RE(SOUL)UTIONS: ELUL COUNT

9am PST/12pm EST Join us as we read Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair in the month of Elul.The book is written with one reading and introspective prompt for each day of the week of Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days. Jumpstart your introspection this year, a year when so many of us are rethinking what is important in life. Clear out the energy of the year 5780 and prepare for the year 5781 with renewed sense of self and resolve to act in alignment with our values. Rabbi Miller will lead a four session class--9am PT/noon ET on Sundays, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, and 9/6. Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/16 ALL ABOUT THE SHOFAR!

10am PST/1pm EST How do you sound a shofar? What are the calls? How is it made and what makes it kosher? And, can we practice? YES! We will address all of these points and more during our All About the Shofar workshop! Prepare to gain a new skill and get ready to sound the shofar this holy day season! Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/23 PRAYER WRITING WORKSHOP

10am PST/1pm EST Having trouble finding the words? Want to understand some of the history and beauty behind the writers of our most hallowed words? Join Rabbi Miller as she teaches us all about writing prayers-- from the Torah to King David, Hannah, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, to contemporary pray-ers. Write your own prayer to share during this High Holy Day Season privately or with our community! Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/30 HANNAH AND SPIRITUAL ANGST

10am PST/ 1pm EST Hannah poured her heart out in the Temple. Why was she distraught? What did those who found her think about her outpouring? What can we learn from this kind of deep expression of spiritual realness? And, how can we get in touch with our deepest spiritual yearnings to prepare for the Days of Awe? Let's get deep in this workshop exploring Hannah and her life. Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 9/6 JONAH THE REBEL

10am PST/ 1pm EST Jewish communities around the globe have read the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur for thousands of years. What makes this work, about a rebel running away from God, so special that it would be read on the most sacred day of the year? And most importantly, what might welearn from this story that would deepen our own understanding of faith, doubt, and reconciliation? Register for programming HERE.

FRIDAY, 9/18 EREV ROSH HASHANAH NEW YEAR DINNER

5pm PST/ 8pm EST Join Rabbi Miller and friends for a truly universal celebration of creation. Tune in with friends from various traditions to reflect upon the power of creation and the season where we re-create ourselves anew. This year we will usher in 5781 with gratitude for the diversity of the world around us. Bring your dinner and your shofar and your best hopes for the new year. Register for programming HERE.

SATURDAY, 9/19 ROSH HASHANAH DAY I*

10am PST/ 1pm EST Join Rabbi Miller for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of Rosh Hashanah with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. (75min.) Virtual Oneg to follow; enjoy your own apples and honey and round challah. Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 9/20 GAME ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MOST

10am PST/ 1pm EST The season of reflection is a perfect time to consider what matters most to you. We will play a game (yes a game!) about life and death and meaning that is sure to spark some of the deepest conversations strangers can have with one another. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to have fun while being purposeful. Register for programming HERE. (2hrs.) 

SUNDAY 9/20 TASHLICH

3pm PST/6pm EST Tashlich is the service where we cast away any old behaviors that we would like to rid ourselves from in the new year. Rabbi Miller will Zoom in LIVE from a living body of water to perform this ritual on behalf of all of us, but you may also Zoom in LIVE from our preferred favorite living body of water as well. Don't forget to bring bread crumbs! Register for programming HERE. (30min.)

SUNDAY, 9/27 KOL NIDREI/ EREV YOM KIPPUR*

6:30 PST/ 9:30pm EST Join Rabbi Miller and musical guest for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of Yom Kippur Evening Service, known as Kol Nidrei, with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. Together, we will usher in this most sacred day of the Jewish Year. Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

MONDAY, 9/28 YOM KIPPUR MORNING*

10am PST/ 1pm EST Join Rabbi Miller and musical guest for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of Yom Kippur with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

MONDAY, 9/28 YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR*

12pm PST/ 3pm EST Virtual Yizkor Join Rabbi Miller for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of the Yizkor Memorial Service with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

MONDAY, 9/28 YOM KIPPUR NE'ILAH & VIRTUAL BREAK-THE-FAST*

5:40pm PST/ 8:40pm EST Join Rabbi Miller for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of the Ne'ilah Service with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction that will close out the most sacred day. Following this, let's break bread together (virtually)! Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

*For these services, we will rely on the prayerbook called Mishkan HaNefesh which will be featured on the zoom screen. But, if you'd like to purchase the two-volume books, you can do so by clicking here (enter code: MHN2020 for a discount!), or use the free digital flip book on your device by clicking 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 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

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: https://paypal.me/keepingitsacred

Venmo: username: @keepingitsacred, or

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

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

Thank you for #keepingitsacred