When I was 15, I won a science essay-writing contest and won a week long trip to space camp. The one in Huntsville, Alabama, where kids learn about space flight and all of the systems and science behind it. Including G-force chairs, lunar rock manipulation through protective gloves, and the 1/6 chair (a chair that gives you the sensation of being 1/6 your weight as it is on the moon). I have long held a fascination with the heavens above not only in a theological sense but in an astronomical sense. 

Today, the world seems to hold this fascination. A rare total solar eclipse event has splashed the front page of seemingly every newspaper and has been a lead story of nearly every news show. The sun and the planets and their movement through space seems to fascinate the world. 

And, the phenomenon of an eclipse seemed to fascinate the rabbis as well. Actually, it seemed to frighten the rabbis. Which, I suppose makes sense given the time period they were living in, not technically knowing that the earth is round. They were also much more connected with nature and natural rhythms since globalization hadn’t yet come to pass. Food they ate was farmed nearby. Rain was seen as a good omen. And, so, largely, an eclipse was feared as a bad omen. 

The book of Amos declares that God informs the Israelites, “I will make the sun set at noon, I will darken the earth on a sunny day.” This is in the context of a warning to the Israelites to improve their behavior. It seems the eclipse is a form of punishment. That is on-brand for a people who believe that Torah is light and brightness is goodness. 

In the Talmud, Tractate Sukkah 29a (which our Talmud class studied months ago), tells us: The Sages taught: When the sun is eclipsed it is a bad omen for the entire world. And then the Talmud goes into the telling of a parable of a King preparing a feast for servants and initially setting a light on the table. But then. When he became angry with them, he took it away so that they would sit in darkness. 

Today is doubly dark as tonight is the new moon, a time when the moon is not visible in the sky at all. So, we will miss the sun during part of the day today, and the moon tonight. Interesting that this coincides with yesterday’s 6 month anniversary of the attacks of October 7. Since that time, we have been sitting in much darkness. Hatred. Fear. Grief. Much has turned to grievance against others in the human family. We have been sitting in darkness, and so I feel a sense that the planets are reflecting (no pun intended) the absence of light we have been feeling. 

But there is yet hope because tonight’s new moon marks the new month of Nisan, traditionally one of the four new years in the Hebrew calendar (yes there are 4!). This is the new year marking the Exodus from Egypt— a time of celebration and appreciation of human freedom (from oppression in Egypt/ a narrow place), and appreciation of human courage (the courage Moses mustered to stand up to Pharaoh).

My hope is that by sitting in darkness today (some of us in the KITS community where the path of the eclipse is experienced), and sitting in darkness tonight, we allow the planets to move us through the darkness, and again emerge into light. My hope is that we recommit to examining our grief, fear, hatreds, and make room for hope and a recommitment to bring about the peace we want to see in the world. 

May today’s solar eclipse give us that— and that is definitely something we could get excited about. 

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

NISAN ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of ending each month with a new vision of racial justice. April 11th 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET. We are reading Breeshia Wade's Grieving While Black, and will be exploring chapters 4 and 5. Register here! And mark your calendar for upcoming dates: Iyyar Rosh Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: May 9

• Sivan Rosh Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: June 6

• Rosh Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: July 5

• Av Rosh Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: August 8

• Elul Rosh Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: September 5

KEEPING IT SACRED AT LOCAL IFTAR GATHERINGS

Yesterday was 21st IMAN’s Annual Interfaith Festival of Unity, where our own Rabbi Heather Miller participated in discussion in an atmosphere of sincerity and Peace. The panelists discussed holidays, the role of women in their respective traditions, the war in Gaza and more. A recording will soon be available and posted here in an upcoming newsletter.

And Thursday night, Rabbi Miller also represented Keeping It Sacred in an Iftar organized by the Muslim-Jewish dialogue group, NewGround, and our KITS partners in covenant, All Saints Church of Pasadena. (Below find a photo of Rabbi Miller with The Rev. Jonathan Stoner). Activist and NewGround Executive Director Aziza Hasan led tables of participants through a beautiful ritual of holding grief for ourselves and others, and encouraged this kind of sacred storytelling. It was a powerful night for all in attendance.

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every Other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET, enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Our sessions are led by beloved KITS community members Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. The next gathering will be APRIL 7TH.

For this workshop: Our next KITS Creatively Club will meet Sunday, April 7 at 9 am PST, 12 pm EST, will be lead by Shari Pratt, and take 2 sessions. This will be our second session, but please don’t let it dissuade you from joining if you missed the first. We will be making Family Trees like you have never seen before! All you need is paper and a pen or pencil. REGISTER HERE!

APRIL: PASSOVER SHABBAT!

Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month.

These services take place the LAST Friday night of the month both online and in person (in Sherman Oaks, CA) at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Please RSVP for both at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming and if you’d like to join in person, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com for details.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

April’s service is Passover Shabbat PLEASE NOTE THE DATE IS NOW APRIL 19*

May’s Shabbat is Fire Pit Shabbat in honor of Lag B’Omer (5/31)

June’s service is Summertime Shabbat (6/28)

INTERFAITH ZOOM PASSOVER SEDER

Join us again this year for Keeping It Sacred’s 4th Annual Interfaith, Intergenerational, International Passover Seder hosted online by Grammy-winning musician, Joanie Leeds and our own Rabbi Heather Miller 5:30pm PT /8:30pm ET April 23rd (this is a second night seder)! REGISTER HERE.

GRIEF IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Hosted by Keeping It Sacred, in collaboration with Muslims for Progressive Values, and Nefesh: Hear from those living with Grief in the Middle East as we invite members of the Parents' Circle to share reflections on their experiences as parents who have lost children in violence. Explore human suffering and a new vision for the future. Join us at 9am PT | Noon ET on 5/20. Register here!

CHECK OUR WEDDING REVIEW!

Check out this stunning new wedding review detailing everything we want our couples to experience leading up to and on their wedding day! Thank you, Adi & Connor, for capturing your expertise in words! CLICK HERE for more on our weddings!

SHARE YOUR INTERFAITH WEDDING STORY WITH 18 DOORS

18Doors (formerly interfaithfamily.com) is looking to learn about the contours of interfaith weddings. Who officiated? In what ways were the elements of your traditions incorporated? What were special or memorable moments? Share your story with 18Doors here! “We want to see your Jewish Interfaith Wedding!”

And, if you're looking to have an interfaith wedding, please check out our weddings webpage HERE-- Rabbi Miller joyfully officiates!

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

Our Introduction to Judaism® online course gives participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community.  This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.

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This course is designed for spiritual seekers, interfaith couples, individuals pursuing or considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful chance to reconnect with their Judaism as an adult.

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Classes will be held Mondays at 1pm PT/4pm ET from January 22 through June 3, with breaks March 25 (Spring Break) and May 27 (Memorial Day).

The program is led by Rabbi Heather Miller and her teaching style is interactive, and encouraging of questions. She is queer and a member of an interracial, international, interfaith family, and joyfully engages with folks of all backgrounds. Rabbi Heather Miller is known for her open, affirming, and joyful approach.

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Come for the program, stay for the community! Weekly classes are augmented by Shabbat and holiday programs and additional experiential components all found on the calendar (HERE). Our course of 18 classes is $360 for individuals, and $500 for couples. No experience necessary. All are welcome!

View the course outline HERE. Full course materials are provided upon registration.

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Register for this program HERE.

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

JOIN our healing circle holding space for all looking for prayers for healing. This and EVERY THURSDAY -- at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET.

Immediately following that: at 11am PT/2pm ET, join us as we jump into a conversation with the rabbinic sages of old. We enjoy studying a page of Talmud every day and reviewing together every Thursday, adding our perspectives and the relevance to our own lives as we go along. We enjoy participation from participants across the world who span the spectrum of race, gender, class, age, and connection to Jewish thought.

The rabbis could never have imagined such a wonderful group considering their thoughts!

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."

To join, 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.

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Join us online at: keepingitsacred.com, Instagram accounts @hearabbi and @keepingitsacred, our Facebook pages HERE and HERE, YouTube Channel HERE and podcasts everywhere. Join us there for updated Talmud posts, Torah commentary, inspirations and invitations to gather online and in person.

Whether you found us through a friend, neighbor, a listserve or browsing the internet, we are glad you're here!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

iCal USER? 

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

EVERY DAY

Please enjoy TWO seasons of our 7-episode web series People Keeping It Sacred and our Jewish Holiday series called "A Bit About..." both available on YouTube HERE and via podcast on your favorite podcast player including: PocketCasts, Breaker, RadioPublic, Apple + Podcasts, Google Podcasts  Spotify and more 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.

4/8 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/11 NISAN ROCH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of ending each month with a new vision of racial justice. 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET: REGISTER HERE.

4/11 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

4/11 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.  

4/15 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/18 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

4/18 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.  

4/19 SHABBAT SERVICES

Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Rabbi Miller is our rabbi! And, Max Winer is a storyteller, song leader, and musician who uses these creative expressions to help create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a love of Judaism. These services take place the LAST Friday night of the month both online and in person (in Sherman Oaks, CA) at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Register here!

4/22 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/23 INTERFAITH, INTERGENERATIONAL PASSOVER SEDER

Join us again this year for Keeping It Sacred’s 4th Annual Interfaith, Intergenerational, International Passover Seder hosted online by Grammy-winning musician, Joanie Leeds and our own Rabbi Heather Miller 5:30pm PT /8:30pm ET April 23rd (this is a second night seder). Register here!

4/25 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

4/25 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

Thursdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET/ 4pm Brazil time/ 7pm London time, join us as we review the past week's Talmud readings in sacred international community. No experience necessary, but be ready for some *interesting* discussions. Bring what you know about Torah, but also what you know to be true from your own life. Your insights are appreciated. Register for this program HERE.  

4/29 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

5/20 GRIEF IN THE MIDDLE EAST

9am PT/ noon ET on 5/20 join us for Grief in the Middle East. A program hosted by Keeping It Sacred, Muslims for Progressive Values, and Nefesh: Hear from those living with Grief in the Middle East as we invite members of the Parents' Circle to share reflections on their experiences as parents who have lost children in violence. Explore human suffering and a new vision for the future. Register 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 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 join us, too!