Hate groups often liken themselves to storms. I can think of several groups and publishing venues that use some form of this moniker (but I won't publish them here because of the way internet algorithms work). Let's just say that naming the perennial villains in the Star Wars franchise as "stormtroopers" is fitting. Storms blow in, clouding skies, ruining bright, sunny days, and warm weather. Storms ruin picnics. They ruin our sense of joy and safety. Worse, storms push out love and bring him a void leaving only the coldness of hate.

This week, a community I know and love was targeted by hate. The storm blew in and chilled us to our core. The community targeted was our community covenantal community partner, All Saints Church in Pasadena. They received bomb scare and threat against their Rector Mike Kinman for their righteous and love-filled LGBTQ+ community work. He shared information about the threats HERE.

So, what can we do? As The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. urged, in 1957, "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

So, it seems, our task is to fill the cold void left by the storm, and bring in the love. In Judaism, this is answering the pushing out of God, with bringing in Divine Love. After all, in Jewish numerology, known as gematria, the name of God (the tetragrammaton), is numerically equivalent to the word for love (ahavah). So, God =Love. God IS Love.

Hearing of the threat against our friends, early the next morning I rose to bring two baskets of roses with heart shaped balloons attached on behalf of all of us. The message I wrote:

"To the ASC Community,

We love you. And love always wins.

In deep partnership and solidarity,

Keeping It Sacred"

And I placed the flowers and balloons on either side of their entrance doors. Right under their still-displayed giant pride flag. Bringing in the love. That is how we respond. (Also: when I snapped this unedited photo of our love offering - see above- my iPhone captured this beautiful ray of light and emanating rainbow, showing the abiding presence of the Divine there).

And this offering preceded a rally organized by our other partners, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE-LA) which brought dozens of religious figures from various faith communities to the courtyard of the church. Again, to bring in the love.

And then, inside on Sunday morning, Rector Mike Kinman preached, sharing his and the church's unwavering love for the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of bringing in a Higher Love. He even encouraged the community to get up and dance joyfully to the Steve Winwood song sung by Whitney Houston remixed by Kygo called "Higher Love." (Hear it HERE).

We will, together, push back the storm, and bring in the warmth of love. The joy of community. And not only will we do this reactively but we will continue to proactively affirm and promote the values of love and inclusion and, well, God.

If you would like to write a message of love for me to send to the All Saints Community, please email it to me at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com, and I will send it with lots of love.

This is how together, we’re #keepingitsacred….

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

COUNT THE OMER WITH US!

We have continued our Keeping It Sacred tradition of Counting the Omer via social media during the days in-between Passover and Shavuot, in line with this Jewish tradition practiced around the world.

And today is Lag B'Omer (the 33rd day of the Omer)-- a day for rejoicing in the light of Torah and community. Please join us as we continue the counting on Facebook (HERE and HERE) or on Instagram @hearabbi or @keepingitsacred.

A VERY PIRKEI AVOT SHAVUOT

For the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, tradition encourages us to stay up all night studying. And this year, our community will explore the famous work of the Mishnah called Pirkei Avot, commonly translated as “Ethics of the Fathers.” Come study famous Jewish aphorisms by Rabbi Hillel, Rabbi Akiva and even a sage known as Ben Bag Bag! What did they have to say about ethics on their day (over 1800 years ago) and how might that have relevance today? Cosponsored by Keeping It Sacred and Reform Judaism in Atlantic Canada!

Thursday, May 25. Study begins at 8pm PT/11pm ET and concludes at 6am PT/9am ET. 

REGISTER HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/event-details/a-very-pirkei-avot-shavuot

A BIT ABOUT... THE TORAH

We will celebrate the Torah on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Learn more about how it's made, what's in it, and special features via a now-accessible YouTube video by Rabbi Miller HERE.

SHABBAT SERVICES THIS MONTH

THIS month, we will again host Shabbat Services the LAST Friday night of the month, 5/26 both online and in person (in Sherman Oaks, CA) at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Please register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming, and email rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com if you would like to attend in person.

This is a community time for reflection and rejuvenation. We look forward to enjoying Shabbat together.

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.

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

The next gathering will be Sunday, May 21. The group will be making Sun Catchers! From the hosts: All you need is some beading wire, enough beads to fill 8-12”” of space, a big bead for the bottom end, and a pair of needle nose pliers or a Kelly clamp to secure connections. As you can see (from the photos below), you can use any colors, sizes, shapes, and materials. You can find supplies at art stores or your local beading store. Join us!

BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE: DUTIES OF THE HEART

Jewish tradition houses some of the most beautiful teachings on character qualities. A thousand years ago, Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda decided to these sacred texts together, organized into various character qualities that he felt would inspire people to live lives of meaning. He called his work “Duties of the Heart,” and it is the work upon which the Mussar Movement (of Exceptional Character Qualities) is based. The book is available for free on Sefaria.org, and so we will take time each week to study teachings and explore how we might make sense of them in our lives today. 

Join us for one class, several, or all 10 weeks worth of classes! Please invite your friends to take the series with you, too! All classes begin June 12 and continue weekly throughout the summer every Monday at 9am PT/noon ET. Topics include: Unity, Reflection, Service,Trust, Devotion, Humility, Repentance, Self Accounting, Abstinence, and Love. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

TORAH FOR OUR TIMES: SOUTH AFRICAN-LED TORAH STUDY

We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ARUN GANDHI

This past week, the world lost Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi, and a peace farmer in his own right. Our own Rabbi Miller first met Arun on a trip to India exploring the Gandhian Legacy and Grassroots Women's Organizations in 2000. And their friendship continued from there. Arun was a great inspiration and mentor of Rabbi Miller's teaching her how to spin wool in his grandfather's tradition, and helping her translate the Gandhian principles of satyagraha and ahimsa into the world today. He was featured on the first episode of the second season of People Keeping It Sacred with Rabbi Miller, which you can see HERE. His memory and his impact will continue as a blessing in our hearts and through the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence.

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review group is dedicated to beginning each month with an intention around addressing racial justice in the world. We are exploring teachings from Prophetic Voices, a book published by the CCAR Press (see information below to purchase), and the CA Reparations Report (available HERE). Please join us as we celebrate the ways we are helping to bring the world to a more just vision of equality and access, and holding ourselves and one another accountable to an ethic of racial justice. Our participants will lead reflections.

The sessions begin at 9am PT/12pm ET:

May 19: Frieda will illuminate Chapter 5 of the Reparations Report, and Suzanne will illuminate selections from Prophetic Voices pages 213-247, and 460-467.

June 20: Wendy will illuminate Chapter 12 of the Reparations Report, and Rabbi Miller will illuminate selections from Prophetic Voices pages 248-265, and 460-475.

Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

CCAR BOOK: PROPHETIC VOICES- NOW ON SALE!

The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR Press) has published a book called Prophetic Voices. It helps readers renew and reimagine (and reconnect!) with the Haftarah readings of the liturgical cycle. Rabbi Miller has entries in the book and it is now available!

Buy the new book, here now! Excerpts from this book will be the material for our Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review.

CCAR PRESS BOOK SALE

There's still time to save! As Shavuot approaches, we're taking the opportunity to do a warehouse spring cleaning. To help prepare for the holiday, we’re offering discounts of up to 70% on selected Torah titles, prayer books, commentaries, Jewish life titles, and more. Journal back issues are only $10. This is our biggest sale of the year, so don't miss this chance to round out your library with CCAR Press books!

Use promo code SPRING2023 at shavuot.ccarpress.org.

Valid through Monday, May 8, 2023, at 11:50 p.m. CT.

TZEDEK BOX

Keeping It Sacred is partnering with The Tzedek Box -a new ritual supporting Jews and their allies in the ancient pursuit of a more just society. Every time you strive to build a better world, add a note to your box. Once a year, open the box. Find out more here! Please consider creating your own Tzedek Box and sharing your experience. Mishnah Pirkei Avot tells us: The more Torah, the more justice!

KITS CONFIRMATION CEREMONY

August 20, 2023 10AM PT/1PM ET, Join us for KITS' third annual Confirmation Ceremony!

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: Members of the Keeping It Sacred community are encouraged to participate in this ceremony honoring your commitment to Torah study, depth-seeking, and engagement in the community. Together, let's honor your engagement! Please reserve a ticket here, and then find more information on participating in the service here: https://bit.ly/KITSCONFIRMATION3.

You will be honored and receive a certificate commemorating this joyful day. 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! REGISTER HERE

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,

ALSO: 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.

Currently, we are 100 members strong from 38 different states and 12 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.

COMING SOON: KITS FAMILY EDUCATION!

Over 32 local Los Angeles-based families, and another 8 families around the world, have expressed strong interest in Keeping It Sacred imagining a KITS Family Education program including an evergreen bank of resources, personalized guidance, and accessible, relevant, and empowering experiences. Our program is in creation! If you have thoughts, ideas, and/or resources to help us dream big, and/or if you'd like to join our focus group, please contact Rabbi Miller at: rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. Meet our team looking to bring this program to life here:

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!

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR WORK

Did you know that Keeping It Sacred values keruv/accessiblity for all of its programs. That's why we don't have dues or charge for lessons. All who are interested should come and learn. But, we still have costs to cover like insurance and web support, accounting and payroll. If you would like to help us uphold this value, please consider a contribution via our web page keepingitsacred.com/our-future

AND, did you know that we have created an easy way to sign up to support this sacred work on a regular basis monthly?

Your generous support helps Keeping It Sacred: 

• Unlock access to learning the wisdom of ancient texts 

• Create authentic, empowered community

• Reach out to our interfaith neighbors and friends

• Create a community that effects positive social change
   

Financial contributions large and small help us reach many more in our community and uphold the value that no one should be turned away from our learning programs due to lack of funds. Please become a supporter of our work through a gift that is meaningful to you. You may sign up to give HERE. We are so grateful for your commitment and generosity!

AND if you'd like to make a contribution in loving memory or in honor of someone or some event, please let us know. We can send a personalized letter of recognition to loved ones indicating your tzedakah. Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

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

5/10 RAC DAY OF ACTION IN DC

The legislative action arm of the Reform movement known as the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), is hosting a day of action in DC. Find your voice and advocate in meetings on Capitol Hill for climate change, racial justice, reproductive rights, and more! Find more information HERE.

5/11 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. 

5/11 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.  

5/18 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. 

5/18 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.  

5/21 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET from April 23 until June 18. 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 for May 21 here.

5/25 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. 

5/25 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.  

5/25 and 5/26 A VERY PIRKEI AVOT SHAVUOT

For the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, tradition encourages us to stay up all night studying. And this year, our community will explore the famous work of the Mishnah called Pirkei Avot, commonly translated as “Ethics of the Fathers.” Come study famous Jewish aphorisms by Rabbi Hillel, Rabbi Akiva and even a sage known as Ben Bag Bag! What did they have to say about ethics on their day (over 1800 years ago) and how might that have relevance today?

Thursday, May 25. Study begins at 8pm PT/11pm ET and concludes at 6am PT/9am ET. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

5/26 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 3/31 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.

6/1 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

6/1 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. 

6/1 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.  

6/4 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET from April 23 until June 18. 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 for June 4 here.

6/8 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/8 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

6/8 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. 

6/8 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.  

6/12 BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE: DUTIES OF THE HEART

Jewish tradition houses some of the most beautiful teachings on character qualities. A thousand years ago, Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda decided to these sacred texts together, organized into various character qualities that he felt would inspire people to live lives of meaning. He called his work “Duties of the Heart,” and it is the work upon which the Mussar Movement (of Exceptional Character Qualities) is based.

Ten classes begin June 12 and continue weekly throughout the summer Mondays at 9am PT/noon ET. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

6/15 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/15 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

6/15 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. 

6/15 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.  

6/18 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET from April 23 until June 18. 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 for June 18 here.

6/19 BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE: DUTIES OF THE HEART

Jewish tradition houses some of the most beautiful teachings on character qualities. A thousand years ago, Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda decided to these sacred texts together, organized into various character qualities that he felt would inspire people to live lives of meaning. He called his work “Duties of the Heart,” and it is the work upon which the Mussar Movement (of Exceptional Character Qualities) is based.

Ten classes begin June 12 and continue weekly throughout the summer Mondays at 9am PT/noon ET. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

6/22 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/22 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

6/22 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. 

6/22 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.  

6/26 BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE: DUTIES OF THE HEART

Jewish tradition houses some of the most beautiful teachings on character qualities. A thousand years ago, Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda decided to these sacred texts together, organized into various character qualities that he felt would inspire people to live lives of meaning. He called his work “Duties of the Heart,” and it is the work upon which the Mussar Movement (of Exceptional Character Qualities) is based.

Ten classes begin June 12 and continue weekly throughout the summer Mondays at 9am PT/noon ET. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

6/29 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/29 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

6/29 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. 

6/29 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.  

6/30 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 3/31 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...

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