NEWSLETTER, August 17, 2020 |
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This week, we usher in the new Hebrew calendar month of Elul. As the last month before the Jewish New Year, it inspires retrospection and remembrance of all that transpired this past year. It is a time to search out our ways, and consider where we missed the mark so that we can make amends and clear out the energy for the new year ahead. In a year as universally devastating as this one has been, this task is even more difficult. That’s why it is interesting that the name of this month, Elul, if turned into an acronym, stands for a famous verse from the Song of Songs, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” This phrase is often recited at weddings like the one I recently officiated (from a distance), because it affirms the sanctity of reciprocal love. (Photo by Justin Kim of justinkimphotos.com.) I don’t think it is a coincidence that our personal reckoning happens amidst a backdrop of a time fiercely affirming love. Indeed, allowing ourselves to feel regret and resolve to make amends happens best in a loving environment, in a safe environment where relationships are elastic and people are compassionate, forgiving our imperfect behavior. Acknowledging you have missed the mark in the context of a season of love is everything. So, this month, do the hard work of self-reflection and making amends. But rest assured that you are doing so in an environment of overwhelming love from the Universe. May we each be motivated by this thought, and dig in so that we can assure for ourselves and one another a sweet new year! Thanks for #keepingitsacred Rabbi Heather Miller, Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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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. 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. We are thrilled to announce that Rabbi Heather Miller will co-lead our Sweet and Sacred Season Services for the High Holy Days with Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin! Rabbi Schmelkin’s soulful musicality will enrich our services, and lift our souls. Her attentive pastoral sensibilities and deep commitment to social justice make her a great fit for our community. Did we mention that she received Truah’s “Action Under Fire Award,” for her work during the 2017 Summer of Hate while she was serving as Associate Rabbi in Charlottesville, VA? See her formal bio below, and please sign up to join us for our Sweet & Sacred Season by clicking here: |
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Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin served as associate rabbi for Charlottesville’s Congregation Beth Israel from 2016-2020. During her time in Charlottesville she was active in Charlottesville’s interfaith and social justice community. She was an involved member of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, Congregate C’ville, The Women’s Clergy Circle, and the One America Movement. She received Truah’s “Action Under Fire Award,” for her work during the 2017 Summer of Hate. She received her bachelor of arts in psychology and Jewish studies from Indiana University at Bloomington with minors in Hebrew and history. She was ordained through Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and was a recipient of the Tisch Rabbinical Fellowship. Rabbi Schmelkin loves to sing, play guitar, and listen to Jewish music (and the Wailin' Jenny's). She enjoys going for long walks with her husband Geoff, her son Eitan, and her rescue dog, Ometz. She recently served on a panel called: Praying With Our Feet: Religious Activists Remember the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville. She spoke of her decision to take an active stance against white supremacists in Charlottesville three years ago as Associate Rabbi at the congregation there. The video will be uploaded this week to: https://religionlab.virginia.edu Please check it out and see why she makes such a great fit for our Keeping It Sacred community. |
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Members of the Women’s Rabbinic Network have created a video reflecting on each of the 29 days of Elul. Please sign up to receive emails from this project called Elul Reflections here, and be sure to look for Rabbi Miller’s entry on Day 2. |
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Yesterday, we hosted the first of three opportunities to take a Jewish lens to popular films through the newly launched FilmShtiebel. Rabbi Miller led a spirited discussion about the Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Spielberg film called “Hundred Foot Journey.” The group discussed Jewish Ethics of the Affirmation of Diversity, Neighborliness, and Teshuvah/Repentance. This coming Sunday, 8/23, FilmShtiebel.com analyzes the Jim Carey Film called Truman Show about a baby that was adopted by a corporation to unknowingly star in a reality TV program. We will discuss the ethics of Reality TV through a Jewish lens. All are welcome! Following this, Wednesday, 8/26, FilmShtiebel.com will discuss Kissing Jessica Stein, a film about a Jewish woman in New York and her romantic relationships. We will discuss the ethics of relationships through a Jewish lens. Please join us! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 we learn from this story that would deepen our own understanding of faith, doubt, and reconciliation? Register for programming HERE. |
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DAF YOMI REACHES A MILESTONE |
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In the 1920s, Rabbi Meir Shapiro sought to make the Jewish world a little more connected. His idea? To standardize an order of studying the 6th century text known as the Babylonian Talmud so that the whole Jewish world would be on the same page on any given day. Thus, the daf yomi /page a day program was born. Since January 5, 2020, members of Keeping It Sacred have been synced up with Jews from all over the world studying a page a day. Rabbi Miller posts a Talmudgram on Instagram and on the Keeping It Sacred- Daf Yomi group Facebook page every day. And, today marks the conclusion of the second tractate, Masechet Shabbat, which comes after 218 days of continuous study. The Keeping It Sacred study group is determined to continue for the 2,494 days remaining in the cycle and would love to invite you to participate in the journey. The contents of the text vary from how to parent, how to find loopholes in rules, how to advocate for justice, the ways the world works, the imperative to increase the sacred, and so much more. Along with the Facebook group, we meet via zoom every Thursday at 11am PST /2pm EST to discuss the past week’s readings. So, peruse @keepingitsacred on Instagram every so often, join the discussion group every Thursday, or read a page every day. However you do it, you will benefit from thoughtful commentary and thereby infuse your life with meaning. The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Currently, we are 75 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, 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. |
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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. |
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TORAH OF THE WEEK: Happy new week! The reflection called "Righteous Judgement," on this week's Torah Portion on Parashat Shofetim, Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9, can be found HERE: |
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RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELF-REPAIR |
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In the month of Elul, leading up to the Days of Awe, Jewish tradition encourages every individual to prepare with deep introspective work. But how are we to take an accounting of our past year in order to clear out energy of the past year to make room for the new? Rabbi Miller has compiled and organized Jewish textual inspirations for each of the 29 days of the month of Elul in her e-book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair, available here. "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! |
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This month, Rabbi Miller will teach a free four-session class based on the book to deepen our experience of this time of preparation and personal contemplation. Please join us for this Sunday series 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6 by clicking here: |
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NEW! KEEPING IT SACRED STORE |
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Some of you have asked about purchasing the Keep It Sacred t-shirt- now you can! And there's a whole collection of other Jewish apparel and products on the new keepingitsacred.com website. Check it out here! |
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SHABBAT SINGALONG: The Shabbat Singalong program for kids (and kids at heart) will now be featured once a month on Saturdays 9/5 and 10/17 at 9am! 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! SHABOOM to the HOLIDAYS: Geared for younger children but super cute for older kids and adults too! [10-minute video] The important question in this video for all ages is, “How Can I Be the Best Me?” How would you answer that question? ART PROJECT: Practice writing the words, Happy New Year or “Shana Tov” (in Hebrew) and put little cards all around the house for the season. You could hide some of these notes for other people in your house to find. OLDER KIDS: Discuss ways you can help someone in 5781. It could be someone in your family, in your neighborhood or in the world. You could make a list and hang it in your room or in your kitchen for the whole family to see during the new year to remind you of your ideas. |
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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. 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. 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 8/23 and WEDNESDAY 8/26: FILM SHTIEBEL Join us for this film program analyzing popular films for Jewish ethical, cultural and philosophical content with Rabbi Miller. Visit: filmshtiebel.com 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. SATURDAYS 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. 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 |
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We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to sign up, too! |
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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: 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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