As you are aware, over the weekend, hundreds of Israeli civilians were brutally massacred, with thousands injured and countless numbers taken captive. Reading and watching footage of the human experiences of these wanton expressions of hatred are so frightening they are horrible beyond words. There is a lot of anger and sadness and concern among so many of us. A cloud over the Israeli people and Jews around the world has descended. Our Facebook feeds are paradoxically filled with images of happy couples, young families, and the elderly, with captions that describe how they have been taken captive, mutilated, violated, murdered. These people are our friends and relatives, and friends of friends and relatives of relatives.

It is awful to learn of such irrevocable expressions of hatred that Hamas has waged against people with such love and vitality in their eyes. This is what makes Hamas a terrorist organization, and not an organization of Palestinian freedom fighters. Because if they wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of Palestinians, they would know, as organizers, that killing kids enjoying life at a music festival is not a way to help the people of Gaza. It is heartbreaking to know that others all around Israel, including a woman in her 5th month of pregnancy, are being called up to active status in the military; called to plan a response, called to pick up weapons with the foreshadow of more death of more civilians in Israel and Gaza.

I am terrified of all the violence that has transpired, and what is to come. Violence breeds violence. Especially when the hands of power have a vested interest in the war machine and the political moves they make with it.

A focus on humanity needs to be centered at this time. And one voice I heard that calls us to do just that came as a desperate plea from one of the mothers of one of those taken captive. The woman’s name is Ahuva, which means “love,” and her daughter, Adi, is just 21 years old. She pleaded:

"I am a mother looking for her daughter; every minute that passes reduces the chances of finding her alive. And there is nothing anyone can do. So, I'm asking you if you have my daughter, I am asking you to remember what it is like being human. We are not animals. You can think, you can regret, you can fix what you did, you have to bring back everyone who is not armed, who is a civilian, all people, sick people, children, babies and women. You are not going to accomplish what you wanted to accomplish this way. Violence will get you nowhere. Nowhere. And what you are going to cause is on your side there will be so many mothers on your side that will tell you the same thing: 'I am a mother, I want to protect my kid. That’s all that I want to do.' And, I am sure that all mothers in the other side, in Gaza and everywhere... are thinking the same thing. Please, please remember we are human, we are people... Please politicians... international relations please put all of this aside; we are human beings. Everybody, all of us, we are human beings. We are the same, we want the same…. Stop it now. Stop killing innocent people. You are not going to gain anything from this. There are going to be only more casualties. Only more mothers who cry about their children.”

It is far too easy to push humanity to the side, to give into our baser instincts of politics and power and greed and hysteria and revenge. Especially when civilians, young and old, are being held captive, violated, and murdered. 
 

This is why the great Rabbi Hillel said in Mishnah Pirkei Avot 2:5:

וּבְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אֲנָשִׁים, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִהְיוֹת אִישׁ

In a place where there is no humanity, strive to be a human.
 

In this awful time, it is imperative for us to sit with this challenge from 2,000 years ago. What does it mean to respond in this moment to these atrocities and not lose our humanity? What does it mean to be human in this moment? How can we honor, preserve, and defend life for our people and innocents on the other side? How do we do that when the barbaric actions of terrorists are embedded with innocents? How do we do this when they have captives who are our children, cousins, grandparents? How can we resist giving into baser instincts and instead find new paths to a new future?

Please forgive me for asking these impossible questions but they must be asked. Someone must ask them because if no one asks them, we will just become mindless drones of a war machine that continues the cycle. And then, what of our humanity? What of the future? I ask in the spirit of the tradition that call rabbis to push us all to be intentional with our actions, to minimize suffering, and to affirm humanity. Please take care of yourself as well. I know many are taking mental health days and extra time with their families. Please make space for yourself.

If you are looking for ways to speak with children about these unprecedented attacks, there is a helpful article from a gifted educator and someone I have known for decades, Sivan Zakai: HERE. UNICEF also has a guide to speaking with children about conflicts which can be found HERE.

And if you want to process what you're experiencing with me, I have opened up my calendar to make time to meet with you. Please schedule a slot at calendly.com/kitsrabbimiller 

It is a huge priority to me to make time to tend to the spiritual needs of our community, and every single one of us has been impacted by these events. 

As a final note, I want to thank our clergy and laity friends of other religions who are part of the KITS community— I am so grateful our community is rising up and supporting one another with tenderness and compassion. I have appreciated your caring messages, and I want our full membership to know that we are being held in all of our fears, worry, and anger. We are being held in this moment lovingly by one another.

It is a great example to encourage each of us to write to our loved ones and let them know we care. Please let them know our global community cares, as well. Please find ways to take care of yourself and reflect and write prayers and meet and gather.  And please join us as we gather for an extended hour with our regular Healing Circle- this week beginning at 10am PT/1pm ET, so that we can lift up our prayers. You may find the prayer I wrote below. At the gathering, we will also recite the prayer for the deceased, the Mourner’s Kaddish, together. Register HERE for that.

In these devastating times, it is important to make room for our humanity, and for community.

This is how together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

The Situation

by Rabbi Heather Miller

My heart breaks

into a thousand pieces

for the innocence lost

and the innocence that will be lost

when little kids—

some not 120 lbs,

some barely 16 years old,

not yet able to drive—

are called to fire guns

and tanks

and drones.

Rather they should be home

playing video games

like Pac-Man or Super Mario Bros.

where lives are unlimited

as long as you have the time.

Where the consequences of

your actions are only

a change of a pixel’s color

on a flat screen,

not the flesh and blood consequences

of lives lost

of new mothers

in felled apartment buildings,

or kids riding bikes in the street.

I grieve for the innocence lost

in the perpetuation of violence,

and for the hatred bred from

the experience of death

and the incomprehensible injustice

associated.

I grieve for all those in the region.

Everyone

who is not looking for violence

but looking to feed and clothe

and house their families.

The surfers in Gaza.

The Israelis at the music festival.

All those who stroll the beach and

marvel at the colors of the seashells

on both sides of the border.

Those who would rather

celebrate the precious beauty of life,

as we all should,

than be pulled into war.

Those who would rather sing

joyfully at a wedding

than mournfully at a funeral.

And, I grieve for the feeling

that there isn’t anything I can do

to make it stop

to reverse the trend

to achieve peace

from here.

I have had this feeling before—

when my stepfather was diagnosed

with terminal cancer.

This is not

an experience I want to sit and watch.

These are not atrocities I want

my loved ones to experience.

This is awful.

Please, God, make it stop.

And let peace rain down

instead of missiles.

Amen.

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

At the start of every Hebrew calendar month, we take time to focus on our work for racial justice through the Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review. We are currently exploring the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Interim Report linked HERE.

October 17, 9am PT/12pm ET, we will cover Chapter 11: Unjust Legal System

November 14th, 9am PT/12pm ET. we will cover Chapter 9: Cultural and Intellectual Life

Register HERE to join the discussion and make a difference.

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 October 22nd.

And as always, bring your favorite form of creativity to work on, Art, Baking, Craft, Dance, etc. and share inspiration. Some weeks will include someone teaching how to do a project/technique, other weeks will be purely socializing while we do our own things. REGISTER HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

Our Introduction to Judaism® online course will begin on October 16, 2023 at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. We will start October 16 and go Mondays 9 sessions until December 11. We will then pause briefly and pick back up on January 22 for 9 more sessions until March 18.

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. This course is open to all, and is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals pursuing or considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful chance to reconnect with their Judaism as an adult.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

ONLINE SURVEY: HIGH HOLY DAY REFLECTIONS

Thank you for worshipping with us at Keeping It Sacred for our High Holy Day services! The holy days certainly left us feeling grateful and connected. Would you please help answer a few quick questions to help us in the future? TAKE THE SURVEY HERE: https://forms.gle/N8wu3tXMHW4u7oGH6

RABBI MILLER'S HIGH HOLY DAY SERMONS

And Rabbi Miller's High Holy Day Sermons are now available online at: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/sermons There, you can find the links to pdfs of the text, and YouTube videos of them being delivered. You can also find them on your favorite podcast platform through the Keeping It Sacred Podcast channel available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, and through other outlets.

MONTHLY 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 generally 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. Our next gathering will be October 27th!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

November's service will be on the 24th and online only, and

December's service will be on the 15th (early in the month!) to include a Hybrid Hanukkah Reprise (online and weather permitting, in person).

Please register for these at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming, and email rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com if you would like to attend in person.

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 at at least 38 states and 12 countries across 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 and of these gatherings, 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.

SIYYUM TRACTATE KIDDUSHIN

Grab your place at the table as we sit down with the sages of old and wrestle with their thinking, enjoy their stories, and glean their wisdom! Join us for a Half-Hour Siyyum Tractate Gattin Event on Thursday, November 9th at 12PM PT | 3PM ET. Register here.

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR WORK

We need your help. This community runs entirely on contributions by those who love our work. People like you!

If you value what we bring into the world, please consider a financial contribution to help us cover our costs and build our community in the future- afterall, nothing is guaranteed. So if you like what we are offering, please consider supporting.

Your generous support helps Keeping It Sacred: 

• Unlock access to learning the wisdom of ancient texts 

• Create an open, authentic, empowered community

• Reach out to our interfaith neighbors and friends

• Create a courageous community that effects positive social change
   

Visit our web page keepingitsacred.com/our-future to say YES to helping us build this very special community. We are so grateful for your commitment and generosity!

FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM

IT IS HERE! MOMENTUM: A KITS Family Education offering! Check out our website Family Education page (keepingitsacred.com/family-education) to learn more about the design of this special program that is both personalized and communal, affirms the interests and development of every student, and motivates the work through game theory. We couldn't be more excited about sharing more!

MOMENTUM: A KITS Family Education is a Jewish educational offering for the whole family that:

• Empowers parents

• Considers who your kid is uniquely

• Integrates into your family’s life organically

• Provides content and questions to explore

• Develops a meaningful relationship with the Jewish textual tradition 

• Instills values and encourages critical thinking

• Motivates learning through celebration, and

• Fosters community

   

We will share more with anyone interested in attending an information session. To attend, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com several times and dates that work for you and she will send along a zoom link. This signature program is for anyone in the LA region or beyond, anyone with kids or without.

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.

10/12 HEALING CIRCLE- NOTE: EARLIER START TIME

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. This service will begin earlier than usual, at 10:00am PT/ 1:30pm ET/ 3:30pm Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time so that we can lift up healing prayers for the world and those especially in the Holy Land. Register for this program HERE. 

10/12 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.  

10/16 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/19 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. 

10/19 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.  

10/23 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 first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/23 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/26 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. 

10/26 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.  

10/27 SHABBAT SERVICES

Sing, eat, gather in community at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. This is the last hybrid service of the calendar year-- November and December will be ONLINE ONLY due to cold winter temps. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/30 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/02 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. 

11/02 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.  

11/06 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 first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/06 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/09 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. 

11/09 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.  

11/09 SIYYUM TRACTATE KIDDUSHIN

12pm PT/3pm ET; Grab your place at the table as we sit down with the sages of old and wrestle with their thinking, enjoy their stories, and glean their wisdom! Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/13 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/16 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. 

11/16 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.  

11/20 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 first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/20 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/23 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. 

11/23 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.  

11/24 SHABBAT SERVICES

Sing, eat, gather in community at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. THIS gathering will be ONLINE ONLY.Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/27 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/30 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. 

11/30 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.  

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!