Newsletter June 21, 2021 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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Just over 200 years ago, the leaders of the new progressive movement of Judaism instituted the ceremony of Confirmation. As its name suggests, this ceremony was a ritual where a person would confirm their commitment to the study of Torah and engagement with community. At first, only boys were confirmed on the weekend before their bar mitzvah, but by 1822 both boys and girls were confirmed in the Hamburg Temple in modern-day Germany. The Jewish Encyclopedia reminds us that by “1831, Rabbi Samuel Egers, one of the most prominent rabbis of his time and a man of unquestioned orthodoxy, began to confirm boys and girls regularly at the synagogue of Brunswick.” It's not hard to imagine why this ceremony found such favor. It was a joyful affirmation celebrating the enjoyment of Torah study, depth-seeking, and engagement with community. This year, we at Keeping It Sacred will host our first community-wide confirmation ceremony! PLEASE SAVE THE DATE for August 22, 2021 at 10am PT/1pm ET. During this ceremony, participants of all ages will confirm their "sincere commitment to continue an earnest and spirited exploration of Torah, to build it up, and be built up by it,” and each participant will receive a stunning custom art certificate stating such. Please sign up to attend the ceremony, or participate in it: DETAILS HERE. Together, we will celebrate how we’re #keepingitsacred... Rabbi Heather Miller, Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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Confirmation is a ceremony that confirms commitment to Torah study, depth-seeking, and engagement with community. We will gather to lift up this sacred activity that provides deep life purpose and meaning. Honorees: All members of the Keeping It Sacred community are encouraged to participate in this ceremony honoring your commitment. Together, let's honor your engagement! Please reserve a ticket HERE, and then find more information on participating in the service here: bitly.com/KITSConfirmation2021Form. You will be celebrated and receive a beautiful, custom-made original artist-commissioned certificate commemorating this joyful day. This is an INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY event-- all are welcome! Honored Guests/Friends & Family: All are welcome and encouraged to attend this ceremony celebrating our beloved community members. Come meet honorees and hear why folks love to engage. Keeping It Sacred honors the value of keruv/open welcoming, and as such, offers all classes and holiday observances free of charge. Please join in this momentous celebration! |
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MAZAL TOV, DELILAH LANIER! |
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Saturday, June 19, Delilah Lanier was called to the Torah in the company of family and friends, some tuning in internationally. Not only did they chant Torah beautifully, but their D'var Torah was absolutely wise. The ceremony also marked a milestone for Keeping It Sacred-- our first b'nai mitzvah! Mazal Tov to Delilah and your whole family on this momentous occasion! Read their D'var Torah HERE. |
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A WARM WELCOME TO JUDAISM |
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THIS SUNDAY! As you may know, Erin, Matthew and Alex recently were brought before a beit din to affirm their Jewish commitments. They will soon immerse in a mikveh to complete their entrance into the Jewish people. The entire Keeping It Sacred community is welcome to celebrate their entrance to Jewish peoplehood on June 27 at 10am PT/1pm ET on zoom. Their cousin, Marcia will share some special words. Please RSVP HERE. |
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We will conclude PRIDE month THIS Sunday, June 27 at 4:00pm, with the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Forum with Pioneering Panelists including our own Rabbi Heather Miller. Rev. Sheena Metal will moderate this panel for The Lavender Effect. Please register for this event via The Lavender Effect website HERE. |
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TISHA B'AV HEALING SERVICE |
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Join us Sunday, July 18 at 10am PT/1pm ET. The Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av commemorates the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 CE. In contemporary times, we hold sacred space for contemplating the decay of our bodies and those of our loved ones; sacred temples that house the light of the Divine. As is customary, we will recite excerpts from the book of Lamentations and find strength in prayer and in our community. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1. |
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Keeping It Sacred's Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression, and what we can and should do about it-- from a Jewish lens. Understanding the way racial injustice works is the first step in remedying the problems, taking us one step closer toward a world affirming of all. Let’s make 2021 a year of actively remedying racial injustice, a year of Tikkun Olam/repair of the world. Schedule: 13th movie by DuVernay (IYYAR) Monday, 4/12, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET
Caste by Wilkerson (TAMMUZ) Thursday, 6/10, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET
How to be an Antiracist by Kendi (ELUL) Sunday, 8/8, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET The Color of Love by Gad (CHESHVAN) Thursday, 10/7, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET N**** Theory by Armour (TEVET) Sunday, 12/5, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET If you have further questions, or to introduce yourself, please don't hesitate to reach out to Rabbi Miller: rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com To sign up, click HERE. |
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HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY |
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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. The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Thursdays 11am PT/2pm ET. Currently, we are 92 members strong from 21 different states and 4 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. To join and of these gatherings, please 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 daily HERE. Why is the democratization of Talmud Study so important? View Rabbi Miller's lecture (delivered to Temple Israel of South Africa) HERE. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS: iCal USER? If you use iCal and would like the complete Keeping It Sacred calendar added to your calendar, click the link at the bottom of the page HERE. This way you won't miss an opportunity to connect via our LIVE activities. EVERY DAY Please enjoy our 7-episode web series and podcast: People Keeping It Sacred on YouTube HERE or on your favorite podcast player (like: Spotify Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts). To learn more about Jewish holidays, check out our "A bit about... the holidays" 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. 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/ 3:30pm Brazil time, 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. EVERY THURSDAY: KEEPING IT SACRED-DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP Our Facebook group will host our next virtual meetup via zoom. For the link to attend this meeting Thursdays 11am PST, 2pm EST, 4pm Brazil time, 7pm London time. Register for this program HERE. 6/27 WARM WELCOME TO JUDAISM 6/27 Sunday at 10am PT/1pm ET, join us as we give a warm welcome to Judaism to our KITS members Erin, Matthew, and Alex. Their cousin, KITS member Marcia, will share special words, too. ALL are welcome and encouraged to attend. RSVP at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1 6/27 THE LAVENDER EFFECT PANEL ON FAITH *NEW TIME* We will conclude PRIDE month THIS Sunday, June 27 at 4:00pm PT, with the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Forum with Pioneering Panelists including our own Rabbi Heather Miller. Rev. Sheena Metal will moderate this panel for The Lavender Effect. Please register for this event via their website HERE. 7/9 DAF YOMI TRACTATE YOMA SIYYUM July 9, at 10am PT/1pm ET, those around the world who have been studying a page of Talmud each day (known as the Daf Yomi) will all celebrate the end of Tractate Yoma. We, at Keeping It Sacred, will host a special celebration. Grab your party hat or other celebratory hat, and register to gather together over zoom. Register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1. 7/18 TISHA B'AV HEALING SERVICE 7/18 Sunday at 10am PT/1pm ET. The Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av commemorates the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 CE. In contemporary times, we hold sacred space for contemplating the decay of our bodies and those of our loved ones; sacred temples that house the light of the Divine. As is customary, we will recite excerpts from the book of Lamentations and find strength in prayer and in our community. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1. ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW SERIES: 8/8 How to Be An Antiracist Sunday, 8/8 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Ibram X. Kendi's powerful book, How to Be An Antiracist. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read How to Be An Antiracist on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1 10/7 The Color of Love Thursday, 10/7 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Marra Gad's powerful book, The Color of Love. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read The Color of Love on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1 12/5 N**** Theory Sunday, 12/5 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Jody Armour's powerful book, N**** Theory. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read N**** Theory on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at 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... |
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SUPPORTING KEEPING IT SACRED |
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Every member of this community is a valued part of the whole. Membership starts simply by signing up for the newsletter email list. From there, each and every person contributes what they can to build this community in terms of: participation in programs, sharing of knowledge, skills and connections, and, where possible, financial support. In every case, everyone who builds this community is greatly appreciated. If you are able to offer financial support, please consider a contribution towards our wish list: - General Support: Helps maintain our general operating budget which funds things like music licenses, our zoom subscription, and generally keep KITS running. ($180)
- Website: Enables us to host and maintain our website. ($300)
- Visiting Torah: Allows us to enjoy use of a kosher Torah during the High Holy Days. ($500)
- Partnerships: Enables us to partner with key organizations and speakers who are mission-aligned. ($800)
- Internships: Enables us to host paid interns. ($1200)
- Curricular Development: Supports our development of accessible, relevant, and empowering curriculum. ($2400)
- Musicians: Elevates our services with musical accompaniment. ($6000)
To make a financial contribution, please visit our web page: keepingitsacred.com/our-future |
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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: keepingitsacred.com/our-future Thank you for #keepingitsacred... |
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