Newsletter November 9, 2020 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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We are always planting seeds. The fruits of which generations in the future will enjoy. Today, we have seen the fruits of the struggles of so many people across history. Today, the title of Vice President-Elect applies to a Black and South Asian biracial woman with a Jewish husband. The title of President-Elect again applies to a Catholic man who was a single father. Both are members of blended families. Years ago, they would have never been elected to office simply based on these identities alone. Instead, they are enjoying the fruits of the struggles of so many over many many years. Their election win comes on the 100th year anniversary of women attaining the right to vote, and the 55th year anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. And so much more. From hundreds and hundreds of years of struggle for justice. By so many who were never assured that change would come in their lifetimes. But they kept sharing their vision for a better world, they kept organizing and marching and strategizing for change. They endured and persisted. The story here is to remember that everything we do does make a difference, even if it takes awhile. A story from the Talmud (Taanit 23a): One day, Honi was walking around alone and came upon a man planting the seeds of a carob tree, a tree that doesn’t fruit for 70 years. When Honi mocked the man for planting a tree that he could not possibly enjoy, Honi plainly said. “Just as my ancestors planted for me, I too am planting for my descendants.” We are always planting seeds. The fruits of which generations in the future will enjoy. And there is still much work to be done. Each and every day, may we take a moment to consider the seeds that we plant today, and the impact they will make in the future. Keep going, and keep bringing dignity, justice, and sanctity to the world. Together, we're #keepingitsacred... Rabbi Heather Miller, Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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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 Professor Helen Kim! Helen Kim is Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Whitman College. She is co-author, with Noah Leavitt, of JewAsian: Race, Religion, and Identity for America's Newest Jews, published by University of Nebraska Press. Helen is married to Noah and they have two children and they live in Walla Walla Washington. I met Professor Kim back in 2009 when she was leading a research project on Jewish and Asian relationships—she came to my home and interviewed me and Melissa. Since then I have followed her research and have had the honor of accompanying her on her spiritual journey—I can’t believe it has been 11 years since we met! In this episode (S1E4) with Professor Helen Kim, topics discussed include: - Her book called JewAsian
- How the field of study and the community of Jews of color has been changing over the past decade
- Tracking institutional attention to Jews of Color
- Raising Jews of Color
- A Conversion Story
- Being Jewish in Walla Walla
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. |
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Tonight, November 9, 2020, marks the 82 anniversary of the Night of the Broken Glass, also known as Kristallnacht. It was a night of pogroms where thousands of Jewish shops were destroyed, and Jews were otherwise terrorized with arrests and assaults. Many consider this the early firing shots of what would come next- the mass extermination of Jews and others in the Holocaust. The Jewish way is not to deny these violations, but rather to remember them. They remind us that our values, customs, and sacred texts have survived attempts to snuff us out. We are a people of inner strength even in times when our communal strength has been trounced. We will never forget, and we will continue on in loving memory of all who perished in these atrocious acts. As is custom, tonight, I will light a candle in loving memory of the many people who lost their lives that night. KRISTALLNACHT by Rabbi Heather Miller Break. Glass shatters. Crunch. Pieces grind against the floor under booted feet. A sacred building is lit and burns to the ground. A body is violated. And, still we persist. Picking up the pieces, we mutter: violence never prevails in the long run. |
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TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA |
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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. |
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HEALING & HEALTH: VOICES FROM OUR SACRED TRADITIONS |
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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). Please remember to like, comment, and subscribe! |
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Happy new week! The reflection called "Desert Life," on this week's Torah Portion Chayyei Sara, Genesis 23:1-25:18, can be found HERE: |
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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. |
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SIYYUM/CULMINATION OF OUR TALMUD STUDY OF TRACTATE ERUVIN |
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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. |
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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. 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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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... |
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