SHALOM!

My mom wears glasses. Or, sometimes, contact lenses. She is legally blind, but a great optometrist has corrected her vision well enough to see. And even drive. Growing up, I assumed that it would be inevitable that one day, I would need glasses, too. I had always thought that I would be prescribed glasses during rabbinical school as I spent hours and hours poring over texts in the library even after a full day of classes. But, ordination came and went and still... no glasses. That was 12 years ago! But, three weeks ago, I had been experiencing headaches, and so I saw an optometrist of my own. Finally, I was prescribed glasses to use while computing! This was right on time according to the rabbis who suggested in the Babylonian Talmud on Tractate Shabbat Daf 151b, that a person's vision is good until one reaches their 40s. 1500 year old wisdom for the win, again!

Since this time, I have been left to think about vision and perception. How do we know what we're seeing is real? Do we use the tools of glasses to help us, or listen for people around us to help tell us what's what? Do we see the world as a dark and depressing place, or do we live life with gratitude for what we have though a rose-tinted filter? 

This is the season of looking closely at our own actions and the world around us. It is a time when we are looking deeper than the surface. I invite you to join our community in conversations throughout this Sweet & Sacred Season that will help us see through the lens of wisdom informed by the rabbis of old. They will help us wipe off the filmy schmutz that we've accumulated over the year, and see our lives more clearly and with proper perspective.

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

PLEASE WELCOME RABBI SCHMELKIN

JOIN US for our Sweet and Sacred Season!

This year is different from all other years. But, we at Keeping It Sacred are dedicated to lifting up the essence of the High Holy Day Season: Sweetness and Sacredness. Join us for intentional programming rooted in the wisdom of Jewish tradition. All programs are designed by Rabbi Miller to be accessible, relevant and empowering. Explore the programming HERE. 

We are thrilled to announce that Rabbi Heather Miller will co-lead our Sweet and Sacred Season Services for the High Holy Days with Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin!

Rabbi Schmelkin’s soulful musicality will enrich our services, and lift our souls. Her attentive pastoral sensibilities and deep commitment to social justice make her a great fit for our community.  Did we mention that she received Truah’s “Action Under Fire Award,” for her work during the 2017 Summer of Hate while she was serving as Associate Rabbi in Charlottesville, VA? 

See her formal bio below, and please sign up to join us for our Sweet & Sacred Season by clicking here: 

Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin served as associate rabbi for Charlottesville’s Congregation Beth Israel from 2016-2020. During her time in Charlottesville she was active in Charlottesville’s interfaith and social justice community. She was an involved member of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, Congregate C’ville, The Women’s Clergy Circle, and the One America Movement. She received Truah’s “Action Under Fire Award,” for her work during the 2017 Summer of Hate. She received her bachelor of arts in psychology and Jewish studies from Indiana University at Bloomington with minors in Hebrew and history. She was ordained through Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and was a recipient of the Tisch Rabbinical Fellowship. Rachel loves to sing, play guitar, and listen to Jewish music (and the Wailin' Jenny's). She enjoys going for long walks with her husband Geoff, her son Eitan, and her rescue dog, Ometz.

DINNER WITH THE RABBIS

This WEDNESDAY night- join us as we get to know the rabbis of the Talmud with our Dinner with the Rabbis program at 5-7pm PST/ 8-10pm EST. Bring your dinner as we learn about various rabbis and their relationships with one another, their personalities, backgrounds and perspectives. Register for this program and more of our Sweet & Sacred programming here. 

ALL ABOUT THE SHOFAR!

I was once told, “teach a person to sound the shofar and you will have cemented Jewish identity for life.” Why? Because there is something deeply affirming about performing this ancient ritual that bonds a person to the tribe forever. Join us Sunday, 8/16 at 10am PST/ 1pm EST as we answer: How do you sound a shofar? What are the calls? How is it made and what makes it kosher? And, can we practice? YES! If you bring your shofar to the screen, you can learn how to sound it during our All About the Shofar workshop!

Looking to purchase a shofar? Consider our friends at Golden Dreidel- you may contact them by clicking HERE, and be sure to tell them that Rabbi Miller sent you.

Prepare to gain a new skill and get ready to sound the shofar this holy day season! 

Please sign up for this program and our other Sweet & Sacred Programming by clicking here:

FILM SHTIEBEL

Rabbi Miller has partnered with fellow Wellesley Alumna, Ashira Beutler-Greene, and two amazing current Wellesley students, to bring you a new program: The Film Shtiebel: A Jewish Lens on Film.

As the name suggests, this program will explore popular films through a Jewish lens of religion, culture and philosophy. All are welcome as we explore Hundred Foot Journey, The Truman Show, and Kissing Jessica Stein. Details on how to register coming soon.

SUNDAY, 8/23 PRAYER WRITING WORKSHOP

10am PST/1pm EST Having trouble finding the words? Want to understand some of the history and beauty behind the writers of our most hallowed words? Join Rabbi Miller as she teaches us all about writing prayers-- from the Torah to King David, Hannah, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, to contemporary pray-ers. Write your own prayer to share during this High Holy Day Season privately or with our community! Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/30 HANNAH AND SPIRITUAL ANGST

10am PST/ 1pm EST Hannah poured her heart out in the Temple. Why was she distraught? What did those who found her think about her outpouring? What can we learn from this kind of deep expression of spiritual realness? And, how can we get in touch with our deepest spiritual yearnings to prepare for the Days of Awe? Let's get deep in this workshop exploring Hannah and her life. Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 9/6 JONAH THE REBEL

10am PST/ 1pm EST Jewish communities around the globe have read the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur for thousands of years. What makes this work, about a rebel running away from God, so special that it would be read on the most sacred day of the year? And most importantly, what might welearn from this story that would deepen our own understanding of faith, doubt, and reconciliation? Register for programming HERE.

DAF YOMI REACHES A MILESTONE

In the 1920s, Rabbi Meir Shapiro sought to make the Jewish world a little more connected. His idea? To standardize an order of studying the 6th century text known as the Babylonian Talmud so that the whole Jewish world would be on the same page on any given day. Thus, the daf yomi /page a day program was born. Since January 5, 2020, members of Keeping It Sacred have been synced up with Jews from all over the world studying a page a day. Rabbi Miller posts a Talmudgram on Instagram and on the Keeping It Sacred- Daf Yomi group Facebook page every day. And, today marks the conclusion of the second tractate, Masechet Shabbat, which comes after 218 days of continuous study.

The Keeping It Sacred study group is determined to continue for the 2,494 days remaining in the cycle and would love to invite you to participate in the journey. The contents of the text vary from how to parent, how to find loopholes in rules, how to advocate for justice, the ways the world works, the imperative to increase the sacred, and so much more.

Along with the Facebook group, we meet via zoom every Thursday at 11am PST /2pm EST to discuss the past week’s readings. So, peruse @keepingitsacred on Instagram every so often, join the discussion group every Thursday, or read a page every day. However you do it, you will benefit from thoughtful commentary and thereby infuse your life with meaning.

The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Currently, we are 75 members strong from:

Canada, England, 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

We are everywhere on the spectrum of gender.

And, each of us are affirming of one another’s journey in the sea of Talmud! Plus, we enjoy meeting in real time via zoom every Thursday at noon PST/ 3pm EST/ 8pm Londontime.

To join us, send Rabbi Miller an email or DM on Facebook to be added to the closed, secret Facebook group.

TALMUD OF THE WEEK

We continue our DAILY study of the Talmud, a work produced over 1500 years ago! This study is called Daf Yomi (a page a day) and we are seeking out the modern meaning, relevance and values on each page. 

Click on the image below to be taken to Rabbi Miller's original Daf Yomi #Talmudgrams on Instagram and then click on the individual photos you like for gems from the text. Don't forget to like, share, and comment! You don't need an Instagram account! You can also find these on Facebook here.

Let us invite you to study the page a day within our own private, sacred Facebook group called Keeping It Sacred- Daf Yomi Group. You will need an invitation to join, so please email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to participate. We'd love to study with you!

Our closed, secret Facebook group also meets every Thursday after the Healing Circle to discuss the week's texts. Join us! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and passcode. 

TORAH OF THE WEEK:

Happy new week! The reflection called "Look!," on this week's Torah Portion on Parashat Re'eh, Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17 , can be found HERE:

RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELF-REPAIR

In the month of Elul, leading up to the Days of Awe, Jewish tradition encourages every individual to prepare with deep introspective work. But how are we to take an accounting of our past year in order to clear out energy of the past year to make room for the new? Rabbi Miller has compiled and organized Jewish textual inspirations for each of the 29 days of the month of Elul in her e-book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair, available here.

"As a rabbi, I'm always looking for new ways to reinterpret the power of the month of Elul. As we head toward the High Holy Days and the theme of starting fresh with a clean slate, a guided text like ReSOULutions is perfect for starting the conversation. This text is clearly written, beautifully arranged, and thoughtfully presented in a way that allows the reader - at any level of knowledge or experience - to connect with their inner soul, and with their personal mission to improve their life. Highly recommend!"

-Rabbi Jeffrey Astrachan

"Having spent much of my professional life serving as a congregational cantor, I always gravitate toward opportunities to get my spiritual “batteries” recharged as preparation for the High Holy Days. I found RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELF REPAIR, by Rabbi Heather Miller to be an important, exceedingly rich guide, written thoughtfully and accessibly, filled with true soul enrichment. This is a perfect way to enter the month of Elul, with an excellent step by step, day by day guide with delectable soul food along with daily new details to stimulate our intellect. A new MUST for the High Holy Days, and/or year round. Will join the ranks of seasonal Jewish classics!"

-Cantor Shula Kalir-Merton

Click here to purchase for just $8.99!

This month, Rabbi Miller will teach a four-session class based on the book to deepen our experience of this time of preparation and personal contemplation. Please join us for this Sunday series called ... and so much more by clicking here:

INTERFAITH COMEDY TRIVIA FUNDRAISER

What is the appropriate way to face a global pandemic? Rabbi Heather Miller of Keeping It Sacred asked this question and realized it had to be a multi-pronged response. First and foremost, physical distancing has to be part of the response, and with that came a sense of grief and sadness over the loss of one’s old way of life. Certainly mourning was appropriate as the death toll climbed and climbed. Political action and charity were also natural responses. But what if there was a way to bring the community together to infuse a little bit of light into these dark times as well? After all, the 11th century Spanish Rabbi Bahya Ibn Pakuda, wrote in Arabic, “A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness.”

She immediately approached the best pop-up comedy producer in the biz, a trailblazer in tech, Kyle Kazanjian, and a partnership was formed between his Don’t Tell Comedy and her Keeping It Sacred. Together with interfaith community-builder and pure-hearted organizer Dot Leach, founder of the Women Driver’s Interfaith Group, the three worked to create an Interfaith Comedy Trivia Show that featured comics from various faith backgrounds sharing information and humorous reflections on the contours of their traditions. What’s more is that this program raised funds for the United Religions Initiative, an organization that bridges differences between people of all beliefs, to create community, and to solve local and global challenges. It is a global interfaith organization doing positive work on a local level.

Because of Kyle’s incredible technological skills, all of this was accessible to viewers to play LIVE over their devices in real time.

Host Danny Jolles led viewers through a live experience of comedy, trivia, and connection as Instagram handles and host roasts were shared. A few lucky people won cash prizes, too.

All in all, minds, souls and bank accounts were enriched through the program, and the disconnected world became a little more connected.

To enjoy a replay of the show without the LIVE participation functionality, please click here.

And please consider supporting a great organization: United Religions Initiative.

KIDS CORNER

SHABBAT SINGALONG:

The Shabbat Singalong program for kids (and kids at heart) will now be featured once a month on Saturdays 9/5 and 10/17 at 9am! Join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for songs, Hebrew learning, a Torah story, and space to express gratitude. Contact Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller.com/contact for the link and passcode!

RESOURCE BANK!

Here are resources to keep your little ones engaged until our next meetup! Stay tuned for our resource bank every week!

SHALOM SESAME:

Word of the Day: SORRY for younger listeners [1-minute video]

https://youtu.be/-AZ3BhHXhow

MUSIC VIDEO:

John Legend & Kane Brown sing, “Last Time I Say Sorry,” for older listeners [4-minute song with lyrics]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-vQlgEoOo8

FOR OLDER KIDS:

Why is it sometimes hard to say,”Slicha, I’m sorry?”

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 NOW AT 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 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 noon PST, 3pm EST, 8pm London time, please contact Rabbi Miller directly at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. 

JOIN US for our Sweet and Sacred Season!

This year is different from all other years. But, we at Keeping It Sacred are dedicated to lifting up the essence of the High Holy Day Season: Sweetness and Sacredness. We have designed a comprehensive High Holy Day experience that will emphasize these qualities and uplift the essence of the holy days. Join us for intentional programming rooted in the wisdom of Jewish tradition. All programs below are designed by Rabbi Miller to be accessible, relevant and empowering. And, unless otherwise noted, each are 1-hour. All are welcome. To register, click HERE.

TUESDAY, 8/12, DINNER WITH THE RABBIS OF THE TALMUD II

5pm PST/8pm EST This program follows up on our Shavuot Slumberparty with the Rabbis program, where we began to learn about various rabbis and their relationships with one another, their personalities, backgrounds and perspectives. For those who joined us for part one or those who are joining us for the first time. Register for programming HERE. (2 hours)

SUNDAYS, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30 and 9/6: RE(SOUL)UTIONS: ELUL COUNT

9am PST/12pm EST Join us as we read Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair in the month of Elul.The book is written with one reading and introspective prompt for each day of the week of Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days. Jumpstart your introspection this year, a year when so many of us are rethinking what is important in life. Clear out the energy of the year 5780 and prepare for the year 5781 with renewed sense of self and resolve to act in alignment with our values. Rabbi Miller will lead a four session class--9am PT/noon ET on Sundays, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, and 9/6. Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/16, 8/23 and WEDNESDAY 8/26: FILM SHTIEBEL

Coming soon! Film program analyzing popular films for Jewish ethical, cultural and philosophical content with Rabbi Miller. Details coming soon. Please write to Rabbi Miller separately to indicate your interest in this program at rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. 

SUNDAY, 8/16 ALL ABOUT THE SHOFAR!

10am PST/1pm EST How do you sound a shofar? What are the calls? How is it made and what makes it kosher? And, can we practice? YES! We will address all of these points and more during our All About the Shofar workshop! Prepare to gain a new skill and get ready to sound the shofar this holy day season! Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/23 PRAYER WRITING WORKSHOP

10am PST/1pm EST Having trouble finding the words? Want to understand some of the history and beauty behind the writers of our most hallowed words? Join Rabbi Miller as she teaches us all about writing prayers-- from the Torah to King David, Hannah, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, to contemporary pray-ers. Write your own prayer to share during this High Holy Day Season privately or with our community! Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 8/30 HANNAH AND SPIRITUAL ANGST

10am PST/ 1pm EST Hannah poured her heart out in the Temple. Why was she distraught? What did those who found her think about her outpouring? What can we learn from this kind of deep expression of spiritual realness? And, how can we get in touch with our deepest spiritual yearnings to prepare for the Days of Awe? Let's get deep in this workshop exploring Hannah and her life. Register for programming HERE.

SATURDAYS 9/5 and 10/17: SHABBAT SINGALONG 

9am PST, noon EST, join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for an uplifting kid-friendly Monthly Shabbat Singalong. Pick up some Hebrew vocabulary and get in touch with gratitude in community! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and password.

SUNDAY, 9/6 JONAH THE REBEL

10am PST/ 1pm EST Jewish communities around the globe have read the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur for thousands of years. What makes this work, about a rebel running away from God, so special that it would be read on the most sacred day of the year? And most importantly, what might welearn from this story that would deepen our own understanding of faith, doubt, and reconciliation? Register for programming HERE.

FRIDAY, 9/18 EREV ROSH HASHANAH NEW YEAR DINNER

5pm PST/ 8pm EST Join Rabbi Miller and friends for a truly universal celebration of creation. Tune in with friends from various traditions to reflect upon the power of creation and the season where we re-create ourselves anew. This year we will usher in 5781 with gratitude for the diversity of the world around us. Bring your dinner and your shofar and your best hopes for the new year. Register for programming HERE.

SATURDAY, 9/19 ROSH HASHANAH DAY I*

10am PST/ 1pm EST Join Rabbi Miller for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of Rosh Hashanah with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. (75min.) Virtual Oneg to follow; enjoy your own apples and honey and round challah. Register for programming HERE.

SUNDAY, 9/20 GAME ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MOST

10am PST/ 1pm EST The season of reflection is a perfect time to consider what matters most to you. We will play a game (yes a game!) about life and death and meaning that is sure to spark some of the deepest conversations strangers can have with one another. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to have fun while being purposeful. Register for programming HERE. (2hrs.) 

SUNDAY 9/20 TASHLICH

3pm PST/6pm EST Tashlich is the service where we cast away any old behaviors that we would like to rid ourselves from in the new year. Rabbi Miller will Zoom in LIVE from a living body of water to perform this ritual on behalf of all of us, but you may also Zoom in LIVE from our preferred favorite living body of water as well. Don't forget to bring bread crumbs! Register for programming HERE. (30min.)

SUNDAY, 9/27 KOL NIDREI/ EREV YOM KIPPUR*

6:30 PST/ 9:30pm EST Join Rabbi Miller and musical guest for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of Yom Kippur Evening Service, known as Kol Nidrei, with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. Together, we will usher in this most sacred day of the Jewish Year. Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

MONDAY, 9/28 YOM KIPPUR MORNING*

10am PST/ 1pm EST Join Rabbi Miller and musical guest for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of Yom Kippur with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

MONDAY, 9/28 YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR*

12pm PST/ 3pm EST Virtual Yizkor Join Rabbi Miller for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of the Yizkor Memorial Service with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction. Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

MONDAY, 9/28 YOM KIPPUR NE'ILAH & VIRTUAL BREAK-THE-FAST*

5:40pm PST/ 8:40pm EST Join Rabbi Miller for a Zoom experience designed uplift the essence of the Ne'ilah Service with prayer offerings, stories and lessons from our tradition, and invitations for thoughtful interaction that will close out the most sacred day. Following this, let's break bread together (virtually)! Register for programming HERE. (75min.)

*For these services, we will rely on the prayerbook called Mishkan HaNefesh which will be featured on the zoom screen. But, if you'd like to purchase the two-volume books, you can do so by clicking here (enter code: MHN2020 for a discount!), or use the free digital flip book on your device by clicking 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 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

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

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: 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