Five hundred years ago, the Spanish Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda observed, "Even a little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness." Light illumines and warms, and so it is no wonder that many cultures use lights and candles especially at this time of year, when (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) the days are shorter and the darkness of night is more prominent. For instance, today is the fifth day of Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus and others around the world. Light is celebrated in so many cultures at this time of year. Christmas lights illumine homes and trees, and Kwanzaa candles are lit in the kinara (candle holder). Soon we will enjoy Hanukkah together (details below).

At this time of year, too, we use candles to remember those who have died in our communities and we honor their memories and the light and warmth they brought into the world by lighting candles. For instance, the practice of memorializing the homeless who have died on the streets this year has become a regular interfaith communal observance. Many communities call this program the The Longest Night as it is observed on December 21 (the winter solstice) which is the literal longest night each year. We also light candles on November 20 each year for International Transgender Day of Remembrance, remembering all those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

The darkness and cold of hatred can only be combatted with the warm light of love. Thank you for bringing your light into the world. Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda would marvel at the difference we are making.

Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

PEOPLE KEEPING IT SACRED: HELEN KIM

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 Jethro Heiko! 

Jethro has over 25 years of experience applying his skills in community organizing, strategic nonviolence and bereavement to authentically and deeply engage individuals, organizations, and communities.

Following the death of his father 25 years ago, Jethro founded a bereavement support organization that helped college students cope with the serious illness or death of a loved one. Jethro learned how meaningful and surprisingly joyful these conversations about what matters most can be, and was struck that people do not have to wait until there is a health crisis to have, and benefit from these conversations.

He is the co-founder of Common Practice which you can find at: https://commonpractice.com. He's also behind those amazing Dissent Pins depicting the dissent collar of Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg z"l and others: www.dissentpins.com

Jethro grew up in Boston and lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Chelsea, and his children, Hazel and Orson.

In this episode (S1E5) with Jethro Heiko, topics discussed include:

• His game of deep conversations about end of life decisions
• Creating psychological safety through structure
• Conversations that are perceived as scary
• For-profit models that align with social justice causes
• Engaging kids
• Releasing grief

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. 

SPOTLIGHT ON: TRANS JUSTICE FUNDING PROJECT

If you are looking for a great way to observe Trans Day of Remembrance, please consider checking out the Trans Justice Funding Project HERE. It is an organization that supports Trans justice organizations around the US. You may choose to make a meaningful donation to support their work, or you may like to acquaint yourself with their grantees in an area near you. Please enjoy and share!

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. 

HOMELESS REMEMBRANCE: THE LONGEST NIGHT

Sunday, 12/21 at 7pm PT/10pm ET, join us as we observe The Longest Night with our friends at Women Drivers and the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita. It is the Winter Solstice, literally the longest night of the year, and appropriately, we remember all those who have died on the streets. This particular observance will mark those who died in Orange County this year. Rabbi Miller will offer up the Mourner's Kaddish during this service. To register, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

HANUKKAH WITH KEEPING IT SACRED

Celebrate the third night of Hanukkah with us! Rabbi Miller will provide the teachings, Jeffrey Silverstein (from our HHD programming) will provide the music. And together, we will bring in the light of this Festival of Lights. If you have a Hanukkiah/menorah at home, bring it to share the story of how it came into your life. Sunday, 12/13 at 5pm PT/8pm ET. All are welcome!

A CHRISTMAS EVE INVITATION

In the spirit of interfaith appreciation, The Very Reverend Keith Yamamoto has invited Rabbi Heather Miller to participate in the St. Mark's Episcopal Parish Christmas Eve services. They will be broadcast December 24 at 5pm PT and again at 10:30pm PT on their Facebook Live page and on their YouTube channel. All are welcome.

ACCESS JUDAISM

Please save the dates for our upcoming two-session adult learning program called Access Judaism. More information to follow, but among other topics, we will learn about Jewish Holy Books, Theologies, and Practices.

TORAH OF THE WEEK

Happy new week! The reflection called "Strangers at the Table," on this week's Torah Portion Toldot, Genesis 25:19-28:9, 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.

SIYYUM/CULMINATION OF OUR TALMUD STUDY OF TRACTATE ERUVIN

Join our Talmud Study Group on Sunday, November 22 at 1pm PT/ 4pm ET for a Siyyum/Culmination ceremony. Please bring an item from your home to share-- something that represents what study of this tractate has meant to you. This is known as one of the hardest and involved tractates in the Talmud, so we have much to celebrate. Then, on to the next-- Tractate Pesach! To register, please email: rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

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 rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.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 rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.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 rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. 

SUNDAY, 11/22: SIYYUM/CULMINATION OF TRACTATE ERUVIN STUDY

Join our Talmud Study Group on Sunday, November 22 at 1pm PT/ 4pm ET for a Siyyum/Culmination ceremony. Please bring an item from your home to share-- something that represents what study of this tractate has meant to you. This is known as one of the hardest and involved tractates in the Talmud, so we have much to celebrate. Then, on to the next-- Tractate Pesach! To register, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.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 rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. 

SUNDAY, 12/13: SHINE YOUR LIGHT: A HANUKKAH CELEBRATION

Sunday, 12/13 at 5pm PT/8pm ET, celebrate the third night of Hanukkah with us! Rabbi Miller will provide the teachings, Jeffrey Silverstein (from our HHD programming) will provide the music. And together, we will bring in the light of this Festival of Lights. If you have a Hanukkah/menorah at home, bring it to share the story of it in your life. All are welcome! To register, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. 

MONDAY, 12/21: THE LONGEST NIGHT

Sunday, 12/21 at 7pm PT/10pm ET, join us as we observe The Longest Night. It is the Winter Solstice, literally the longest night of the year, and appropriately, we remember all those who have died on the streets. This particular observance will mark those who died in Orange County this year. To register, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

THURSDAY, 12/24: ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Thursday, 12/24, Keeping It Sacred has been invited to enjoy St. Mark's Episcopal Church Christmas Eve services as an expression of interfaith outreach and love. Rabbi Miller will offer a reading from the Tanakh in Hebrew as she helps her friend, The Very Rev. Keith Yamamoto and his parish celebrate their holy day. This event will be made available live on the church's Facebook and YouTube channels at 5pm PT and 10:30pm PT. No registration required.

2021: ACCESS JUDAISM: ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES

Please save the dates for accessible, relevant, and empowering Jewish learning! Classes will be held at 9am PT/noon ET via zoom. Session 1 dates are: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, and 3/7. Session 2 dates are: 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, and 5/30.

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...

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...