Today, we moved! And wow what a surreal experience it was to follow the moving truck on the freeway, and to see the material treasures of our lives hurling away from the past and barreling forward into the future. Toward our family's new existence. Toward our new home. There is a feeling of new possibilities with this move.

But wow, what a process we have in front of us. For the next week, we will be time traveling through the material history of our family's life. Unpacking my mother's chair. My grandmother's china. My great-grandfather's cabinet. Items that, as Marie Kondo encourages, spark joy, because with each treasure, they inspire the feeling of love in my life.

In the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Nick Portokalos says, "Don't let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you will become." I love this idea because it reminds us all that with each move we make, be it a physical move to a new home, or stepping into a new era, we each have the option to choose what we bring from our past into the future.

This is an especially important message this coming Hebrew calendar month which begins Saturday night-- it is Rosh Chodesh Elul and that is the start of the month that encourages deep reflections. We are collectively, and as individuals, beginning to sort through our material and emotional history to determine what we leave behind and what we take forward with us.

Please join our community as we sort through our spiritual year through the Elul Book Club, reading my book ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair, and exploring the themes associated with this very introspective time. You may sign up HERE. Together, we're exploring. Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

ELUL BOOK CLUB WITH RABBI MILLER

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

MAZAL TOV!

On our TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY, we confirmed our continued commitment to Torah study, engagement with the big questions of life, going deep, creating a spiritual center of wellness, and community! Keeping It Sacred members represented Brazil, Canada, Mauritius, Wales, California, North Carolina, Arizona, Wisconsin, England, New Jersey, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Texas, Ohio, and Washington at this yearly tradition with the KITS Community. As is usual, members held sacred space for one another, and we will feature excerpts from everyone's remarks in upcoming social media posts in the next 2+ weeks-- stay tuned to be inspired!

CASEY'S SIMCHA/JOYFUL EVENT

MAZAL TOV to Casey Casas, who recently officially joined the Jewish people after a beautiful 20 year journey of deep exploration. They chose the name Rimon, which means "pomegranate." Casey shared that they chose this name as it is a fruit that is both sweet and refreshing, and it also represents the Torah's wisdom. How? The sages said pomegranates have 613 seeds, corresponding to the 613 commandments in the Torah. What a wonderful way to honor the wisdom gleaned in Torah. Perfect for a self-described "recovering academic." Come join us for Shabbat Services THIS FRIDAY NIGHT when we can congratulate Casey on this momentous occasion! Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

SHABBAT SERVICES THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones.

Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor those sacred times at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated.

And, please mark your calendars for 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET and every LAST FRIDAY NIGHT of the month. Then, PLEASE register to join us HERE.

JOYFUL PHOTOS!

As promised from last week's newsletter, enjoy this amazing photo of a spirited hora (Jewish circle dance) lifting brides, Rachel & Berenike, up on chairs at their wedding in Calabasas, CA. What a joyful interfaith, international, and intentional celebration. This is what it feels like to be in community that is #keepingitsacred.

HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KEEPING IT SACRED

Please SAVE THE DATES to enjoy a complete High Holy Day Season with Keeping It Sacred this year. Together, we will Honor the most sacred days in the Jewish Calendar.

Our theme this season is "Gathering for Goodness." Like the fringes on the tallit, we gather up our loved ones, our memories, our unique gifts, and from there flows goodness.

We consider: What kind of goodness is needed in the world today? What is the goodness that I can uniquely offer? Who and what needs to be brought together to make it happen?

Join us for comprehensive communal experience with insights from Rabbi Miller, music from Cantorial Soloist Elizabeth Lange, reflective space with Kimberly Dueñas from Jewtina y Co., a youth experience & tashlich LIVE from the beach with Jeffrey Silverstein, and so much more! 

Please mark your calendars for:

9/2, 9/9, 9/16, and 9/23 Elul Book Club 1pm PT/4pm ET

9/25 Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder @5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET

9/26 Rosh Hashanah @10am PT/ 1pm ET

9/27 Second Day Rosh Hashanah with Jewtina Y Co. @3pm PT/6pm ET

9/30 LIVE from the Beach a Youth experience, Tashlich, and Shabbat Services starting @4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET

10/4 Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei Service @530pm PT/8:30pm ET

10/5 Yom Kippur @10am PT/1pm ET

10/5 Yizkor Memorial Service noon PT/3pm ET 

10/5 Neilah/Havdallah @6pm PT/9pm ET

What people say about our services:

"Such a warm feeling of community."

"Rabbi Miller, you are such an upbeat, enthusiastic spirit,and one who is truly devoted."

"Thank you for this wonderful experience. As always, my heart is full!" 

Keeping It Sacred programs are FREE for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated. Invite your friends and family! Register HERE.

HIGH HOLY DAY PRAYERBOOKS ON SALE NOW!

Please plan to join our High Holy Day services to jumpstart 5783! We will have the words of the prayers displayed on screen, but if you'd like to have the machzor (high holy day prayerbook) in your hands as we go, as well, please order the CCAR Press books called Mishkan HaNefesh (gold for Rosh Hashanah and silver for Yom Kippur). Rabbi Miller helped produce these books that have plenty of reflections and insights from our tradition to help refresh our souls. And, now they are ON SALE at 50% off through the CCAR Press-- use promo code HHD5783 by September 1. You may purchase the regular edition for $23 (after promo) HERE, or the large print version for $50 (after promo) HERE.

OVERCOMING DEEPEST GRIEF

Please join AJRCA's Chaplaincy School in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Spiritual Department for a virtual seminar and conversation with Acclaimed Author, Mary Aviyah Farkas, on Sunday, September 4th from 7:00pm to 8:15pm PT.

Rabbi Miller writes, "Please join our beloved Keeping It Sacred member, the very thoughtful and compassionate Mary Aviyah Farkas, as she shares reflections on grief and her book, Overcoming Deepest Grief. I have found the book to be full of relateable stories and resources for myself and others on the path of the mourner."

In order to fully engage in the event, you may purchase and read the book, Overcoming Deepest Grief: A Woman's Journey, Grief, Acceptance, Gratitude and Joy prior to attending. 

The virtual event is free and open to all, but you must register to attend. Please click here to register.

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Recently both of our Instagram accounts @hearabbi and @keepingitsacred reached milestone-- we now have more followers and more connections than ever! Join us there for updated Talmud posts, inspirations and invitations!

And, this is in addition to our Facebook pages: HERE and HERE, too.

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

THIS THURSDAY AND EVERY THURSDAY! 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. 

The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Thursdays 11am PT/2pm ET.

Currently, we are 100 members strong from 31 different states and 9 countries!

We are:

People interested in becoming Jewish

Members of various Jewish denominations

Clergy

Lay leaders

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! Benefit from the wisdom of Jewish tradition!

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."

AND just prior to our Talmud Study, we hold space for check-ins and healing prayers for loved ones in need, including ourselves. 

Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated.

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.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK: MONTHLY

Are you inspired & empowered by the work we are doing?

Would you like to help us build our growth and capacity for goodness?

If so, please consider becoming a monthly donor to Keeping It Sacred. Our platform on the Our Future page allows you to choose how to support the work. Set it and forget it! Your financial contributions help ensure that we can keep bringing quality programs to the community that are accessible, relevant, and empowering. 

If everyone of our newsletter subscribers could contribute just $36/month, we could really get to the NEXT LEVEL of our organizational capacity.

Please scroll below and see the depth of the work we are doing, and consider monthly support. HERE is the link to do so. Thank you for all the ways you're building this community!

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.

8/25 PRAYER 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. 

8/25 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.  

8/26 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 8/26 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein 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-1.

9/1 PRAYER 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. 

9/1 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.  

9/2 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/4 OVERCOMING DEEPEST GRIEF

Please join AJRCA's Chaplaincy School in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Spiritual Department for a virtual seminar and conversation with Acclaimed Author, Mary Aviyah Farkas, on Sunday, September 4th from 7:00pm to 8:15pm PT. Register for this program HERE.

9/8 PRAYER 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. 

9/8 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.  

9/9 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/15 PRAYER 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. 

9/15 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.  

9/16 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/22 PRAYER 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. 

9/22 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.  

9/23 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/25 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder

9/25 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET (75m) Celebrate the birth of the world by breaking bread together as one beautifully diverse human family. Please register for this program: HERE. 

9/26 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Rosh Hashanah Day I

10am PT/ 1pm ET(75 min) Celebrate the birth of the world in gathered community. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/27 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Rosh Hashanah Day 2

3pm PT/5pm ET (75 min) Gain the tools needed for spiritual growth with Kimberly Dueñas & Jewtina y Co. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/29 PRAYER 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. 

9/29 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.  

9/30 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Youth Service, Tashlich, Shabbat Services

4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET LIVE from the beach in California, join Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein in person or via LIVESTREAM for a special Youth-oriented High Holy Day service, followed by Tashlich leading into Shabbat Services. Gather in community and sing, pray, dance, schmooze. Start the year with spiritual renewal. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/4 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Kol Nidrei/Erev Yom Kippur

5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET (75 min) Enter into the holiest day of the year with the soul-work of reflection and repair. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Day

10am PT/1pm ET (75 min) Focus on the texts, melodies and actions needed to rejuvenate the soul in community not bound by geographic limitations. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Yizkor Remembrances 

noon PT/3pm ET (75 min) Gather in community to remember loved ones we have lost but hold dear in our hearts this and every year. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Ne'ilah & Virtual Break-the-Fast

6pm PT/9pm ET (60 min) Rejoice in the conclusion of the day. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/28 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 10/28 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein 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-1.

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...

GIFTS TO KEEPING IT SACRED

All of us at Keeping It Sacred would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to each and every person who has extended a financial gift to the KITS community this past year. You power the work and ensure that quality relevant & empowering programming and resources remain accessible for all regardless of economic capacity. 

If you like what we're doing and would like to make a meaningful gift in this new year of any amount, please visit our contributions page at:

keepingitsacred.com/our-future

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...

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We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to sign up, too!