Newsletter October 19, 2020 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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Yesterday and today, we entered the Jewish month of Cheshvan. Sometimes it is known by the moniker "Mar Cheshvan," which means "Bitter Cheshvan" because it is the only Jewish month that doesn't have within it a Jewish holy day (other than Shabbat, of course). For Jewish clergy, this is a month of rest and rejuvenation. Though Cheshvan is upon us, we, at Keeping It Sacred are just as busy as ever. We have now launched our 7-episode web series on YouTube and podcast outlets everywhere called, "People Keeping It Sacred." Each week, we will highlight one of our esteemed guests. And, we have so much coming up like our South African text study, an interfaith conversation about Health & Healing, our panel on sacred giving, our regular text expositions, and more! Perhaps we should re-name this month, "Not-So-Bitter Cheshvan"! Thank you for #keepingitsacred... Rabbi Heather Miller, Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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PEOPLE KEEPING IT SACRED: KELLY SUZANNE SAULSBERRY |
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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 Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry! Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry is an advocate and feminist who is passionate about civic engagement; racial, gender, and economic equity; and LGBTQ rights. She is the Director of Policy and Outreach at the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, the City's civil rights department. In her role, she works on policy and public engagement initiatives. She previously worked as a Deputy Policy Director in the Mayor's Office under Rahm Emanuel and in the non-profit sector for several years. She advocates for those with HIV/AIDS and the broader LGBTQ community by serving in leadership positions in several organizations including the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Affinity Community Services, and Chicago House. She hosts Living Room Chats at Affinity: A Podcast for Brave Conversations and Bold Voices, and co-hosts the Breaking Bread podcast In this episode (S1E1) with Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry, topics discussed include: -A religious journey to Buddhism -Public policy as a tool for making change -Working through people's resistance to change -Hyper-curating information online -The gift of waking up in the morning -The importance of remembering loved ones 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 channels! Listen here: Spotify Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts. |
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Long time colleague and friend, Pastor Dr. Lewis Logan II of Gaines Chapel AME Church in Georgia, invited Rabbi Miller of Keeping It Sacred to speak on the topic of giving in the Jewish Tradition. She was joined by Rabbi Aryeh Cohen of the American Jewish University. The discussion was published live on Facebook and can be viewed HERE. |
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TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA |
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Join us October 28 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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HEALTH & HEALING: VOICES FROM OUR SACRED TRADITIONS |
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Sunday, November 1 at 4pm PT/ 7pm ET, Keeping It Sacred has partnered with the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita to host this interfaith discussion on health and healing in our traditions. Panelists include Rabbi Heather Miller (Jewish), Jeff Shields (Mormon), Dan Radecki (Bah'ai), and Iman Saymeh (Muslim) and will feature a LIVE Q&A following the discussion. Please register to receive zoom information here: https://forms.gle/rnMKrerCHXTGcud28 |
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Happy new week! The reflection called "Do Not Destroy," on this week's Torah Portion Noach, Genesis 6:9-11:32, 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 81 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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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. 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 2:30pm Brazil time, 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 11am PST, 2pm EST, 3pm Brazil time, 7pm London time, please contact Rabbi Miller directly at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. TUESDAY, 10/28: TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA Join us 10/28 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 rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. SUNDAY, 11/1: HEALTH & HEALING: VOICES FROM OUR INTERFAITH TRADITIONS 4pm PST, 7pm EST, Keeping It Sacred has partnered with the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita to host this interfaith discussion on health and healing in our traditions. Panelists include Rabbi Heather Miller (Jewish), Jeff Shields (Mormon), Dan Radecki (Bah'ai), and Iman Saymeh (Muslim) and will feature a LIVE Q&A following the discussion. Please register to receive zoom information here: https://forms.gle/rnMKrerCHXTGcud28 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 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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