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Newsletter June 3, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

A Jewish woman has just been elected to become president of Mexico! I share excitement over this idea because I have never heard of a Jewish woman in such a high political office ever, regardless of the political affiliation she represents. It is exciting to know that Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum has the confidence of her country to lead thoughtfully and professionally. 

 

And, quite frankly, it is important for the Jewish world to remember that wisdom and intelligence exist in people of all genders, and that Jews do not only hail from eastern European countries, but also from Mexico, and everywhere else. Dr. and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, in fact, comes from an Ashkenazi father and Sephardic mother. The Jewish people are enriched by the experiences of these and other communities. I am excited because representation matters!

 

And this month, as it is pride month, reminds us that seeing the leadership of those who share identities with ourselves matters. May 22 was Harvey Milk Day, a day to celebrate the queer Jewish Mayor of San Francisco. He has become a gay and Jewish icon, as his placement in office has reminded people that Jewish and queer people have a lot of leadership to offer. 

 

It seems to me that the idea behind the Jewish-American Heritage month and Asian-American Heritage month (May) and PRIDE (June) and all the other months celebrating various peoples exist to remind all of us that many communities have lots to contribute to the world. And, that we are all better for the contributions of al.

 

Keeping It Sacred affirms that leadership comes in all shades, sizes, and experiences. Of there’s one thing that I have learned from the Black Lives Matter movement, it is the importance of creating a leader-full movement. and that means a  community full of leaders, where everyone can become a leader because it is recognized that within everyone is wisdom, perspective, and knowledge. And not only do we benefit from leaders from various backgrounds, but it also reminds all of us to treat each other as teachers of life.

 

Our Introduction to Judaism 18 week course just wrapped up, and again we are blessed by our leader-full movement. Two of our participants have stepped up to host further dialogue to continue the themes and topics of exploring Jewish life.

They join other lay leader volunteers like those who organize our KITS Creativity Club, those who have prepared presentations for our Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Club, and those who recently organized our program on Grief in the Middle East.

 

Keeping It Sacred is nearly 5 years old, and it is so beautiful to see our community blossoming with our members stepping up to lead. My hope is that our members feel the confidence and trust we have in them to hold sacred space for one another.

 

As the Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 4:1 teaches, “Who is wise? The one who learns from everyone.” The more we can share of our experiences, perspectives, and knowledge, the more we all benefit. And how unique and beautiful is it that we get to do this as a global community!

 

This is how we are Keeping It Sacred…

 

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred...


Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

MAZAL TOV TO THE SPRING 2024 INTRO TO JUDAISM CLASS!

Congrats to the Spring 2024 term Introduction to Judaism Class! Our members studied with the weekly 18-session program to learn about Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals with class concluding today. But, what's next? This group is gearing up to continue to meet and study together to honor the sacred spaces they have created. We are grateful for their ability to create sacred space together, and for their leadership! Look at the smiles- this is what serious study of texts feels like!

 

PLUS! Enjoy this original poem that our own Angela Lowe, participant in the Intro Class wrote, reflecting on what the class has meant to her:

 

The Journey

Ask, grasp, grapple, ask again, its okay to arrive at the temporary destination with more questions than answers, no i’s dotted t's uncrossed, I'm not Lost, I'm not asleep I am awakening to balance.

My part to play on the stage of life, I am held, it's okay to not know it all, to find there are two, three, four or more answers to one question all equally weighted in the balance of community, there is unity ECHAD to be had there where we share about any and all things held dear.

We lend an ear and listen to the pains and strains of the past.
The worn, torn, forlorn but far from weak, let the OVERCOMERS speak!

Come one come all, the healed, the wounded, the free, the bound up.
Let life's lessons leap forward like a Deer and mount up like an eagle, where we can glide, hear a little more clearly and find the love message interwoven that leads us to a life of Mitzvot, where we seek to preserve life where we can and see the pearl if value past all the pride and prejudice,

There is value and worth within the most Ancient of Ways, if we have eyes that will look beyond the human frailty that all too often derails me, causing me to trip and lose my grip on the path before me.

I stand not on my own anymore but on ancient paths already tried and tested by many, wisdom falls gently before me so softly that I almost missed it, at the same time I dive deep for the pearl to reveal it from its shell, though it cost me much effort and energy, its contents are worth it!

I have much to add to the layers of wisdom as my unique lived life has its lessons connected to trees, barks, rivers, streams, planets and stars, the COSMOS it seems.

The Torah of then is the Torah of now, it is interwoven in my heart and my dreams there is no separation between, that which was then, that which is now and that which will be,
For all in life is held within the TREE!

RABBI MILLER CONCLUDES HER TIME AS A T’RUAH DRIO PARTNER

For the past 10 months, Rabbi Miller has participated in the T'ruah program. T'ruah is a national organization working for social justice from a Jewish perspective. And the trio program stands for dismantling racism from the inside out – it is a program that encourages practicing Rabbis and Cantors to explore their leadership in the realm of racial justice work. The curriculum was created by the IOWA Project (Inside Out Wisdom and Action) and encourages introspection through the principles of the Jewish Mussar tradition to explore anti-racism work in Jewish spaces.

 

Rabbi Miller shares, “though I have been working for racial justice and studying the pervasiveness of racism around the world since the 80s, including as an Africana studies major at Wellesley College, I had never explored the topic through the Jewish lens of Mussar with fellow clergy colleagues from various denominational movements. This was a unique experience and opportunity to, as it is said, link an inside spiritual practice with outward facing action. I most appreciated my fellow participants' insights and openness about the successes and challenges of this critical work. I stand in solidarity with colleagues everywhere who feel the personal responsibility to stand up against racism wherever it emerges.” Mazel tov to Rabbi Miller and the other colleagues who completed this program!

NISAN ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of beginning each month with a new vision of racial justice. Sivan Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: June 6th 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET. Register here! We are reading Grieving While Black by Breeshia Wade. And mark your calendar for upcoming dates:

  • Sivan Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: June 6, Chapter 7

  • Tammuz Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: July 5, Chapter 8

  • Av Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: August 8, a special session on the intersection of antisemitism with racism, links will be provided.

  • Elul Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: September 5, we begin a new book: We Refuse, by Kellie Carter Jackson

JOIN US AND OUR FRIENDS FOR SHAVUOT

It is Torah O’Clock Somewhere! Join us for the 4th annual Virtual TIkkun Leil Shavuot. God gave us Torah at Mount Sinai, but we also each receive it everyday in each moment that we engage with our tradition. Join our collaboration of small URJ congregations as we offer a night of free study sessions and service options - to mark Shavuot on Tuesday, June 11 - Wednesday, June 12. Come for one session or stay all night (or join in the morning!) enjoying teachings from a wide range of teachers on a variety of topics.

 

Rabbi Miller will be teaching at 11pm Pacific Tuesday, June 11/2am Eastern Wednesday June 12 on "In the Mix: Great Love Stories in honor of Loving Day"-- Loving Day in the United States; a day to celebrate the legalization of interracial marriage. Shavuot is a day to celebrate the covenantal "marriage" of the mixed multitudes of the Jewish people and God. In honor of both, we will explore some of the great (mixed) love stories in Jewish sacred texts where partners come from very different places to the benefit of the Jewish people.


Registration: 
https://urj.tfaforms.net/901?id=701UG000007Dqnz

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Shalom! KITS Creativity Club will meet on Sunday, June 16 at 9 am Pacific, 12 pm Eastern. Sign up here!

SUMMERTIME SHABBAT

June 28, 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:

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

JOIN THE BRAID AND THE LUNAR COLLECTIVE IN:
WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THIS HERITAGE?

Check out this amazing program from our friends at LUNAR: “We've teamed up with @thebraidstories to create What Do I Do With All This Heritage?, an original theatre show featuring true stories by Asian American Jews. Written by our community and performed by an entirely Asian American cast, this one-of-a-kind show is one you won't want to miss.

The show opens on May 15 and continues through June 9! Whether you're joining us in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or live on Zoom, there is a show for you. Plus, we're offering special pay-what-you-can tix for LUNAR community members!

Get your tickets at
the-braid.org/heritage ✨”

PRENTIS HEMPHILL’S WHAT IT TAKES TO HEAL BOOK TOUR!

Check out the Prentis Hemphill Book Tour for What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World: prentishemphill.com/book.  Packed with chapters encouraging spiritual transformation to change the world.

JOSEPH’S INKWELL WRITING CONTEST

Joseph's Inkwell is a Jewish, student-run writing competition. Our mission is to strengthen the Jewish Teen voice and create a space to display philosophical, narrative, personal, informational, academic, or creative works. Submissions are due August 1st, click here for information.

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.

AND, join us for the festivities as we conclude the reading of Tractate Bava Metzia on June 27th at noon! Register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. (see below!)

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, 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.


6/6 SIVAN ROSH 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 for this program HERE. 

 

6/6 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. 

 

6/6 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.  

 

6/13 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. 

 

6/13 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.  

 

6/16 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. 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.

 

6/20 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. 

 

6/20 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.  

 

6/27 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. 

 

6/27 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.  

 

6/27 SIYYUM TRACTATE BAVA METZIA

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 for this program here!

 

6/28 SUMMERTIME SHABBAT: 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!

 

6/30 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. 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!


7/5 TAMMUZ ROSH 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. We are reading chapter 8 of Grieving While Black by Breeshia Wade. Register for this program HERE. 

 

7/11 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. 

 

7/11 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.  

 

7/18 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. 

 

7/18 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.   

 

7/25 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. 

 

7/25 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.   

 

7/26 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!

 

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...

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GO TO KEEPINGITSACRED.COM
27068 La Paz Rd. Suite #781 Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
818-312-8388

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