NEWSLETTER, June 8, 2020

SHALOM!

June is PRIDE Month, so we say, "Happy Pride!" This week, I will participate in two exciting webinars geared toward the celebration of LGBTQ culture.

 

As part of the "Every Color Counts" theme for Pride Month at the Queens Public Library in New York, I will speak on a panel called "LGBTQ and Religion." To join us, simply click here at 3pm PST/6pm EST Thursday, June 11. 

 

Later that evening, I will participate in a book launch of Where Pride Dwells, a new compilation that celebrates LGBT Jewish life and ritual, in which I have an entry. You can join the conversation this Thursday night, June 11, at 5pm PST/8pm EST by registering here.  

 

It is important to remember that June is PRIDE month because June 28, 1969, the NYPD stormed a queer bar called the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village to harass patrons and destroy the venue. This prompted LGBTQ folks to fight back with a series of riots and other affirmations of queer culture. This is a reminder that significant social change can often be messy and sometimes even violent. 

 

Always, we should celebrate the diversity of one another. Saturday morning, I shared a story with our youngest community members during our weekly Shabbat sing-along-- a story that affirms diversity from the Talmud. The Sages noticed that a human being can make a mold and produce exactly the same stamp each time it is used, but the Holy One, God, makes a mold for a human being and produces an entirely different human with each creation. This shows us that God is intentional about creating diversity. I marvel at not only the separate groups that have been established, (Gay, Black, Jewish, etc.) but also especially the intersections of these identities that individuals embody. Humanity is beautiful in all of its hues. THAT is something to celebrate!

 

Thank you for #keepingitsacred

RABBI MILLER LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB

Keeping It Sacred works at keeping life sacred. Valuing life. Cherishing it. Affirming the sanctity of life and encouraging it to thrive. And to thrive spiritually means we must enjoy bodily safety.

 

It is a fact that safety is not applied equally. Black bodies are at greater risk of harm because of the racism that pervades society systemically. Inequalities exist in housing, employment, bank loans, food accessibility, educational institutions, and, yes, policing.

 

The horrific and cold-blooded murder of George Floyd goes against everything we stand for at Keeping It Sacred. It flies in the face of the Torah commandments found in Deuteronomy 16:18-20:

 

“You shall appoint judges and officers for your tribes, in all the settlements that the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall govern the people with due justice. You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just. Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”

 

Society does not judge Black folks fairly, and we at Keeping it Sacred view that as an affront to the sanctity of life. That is why it is incumbent upon us to affirm that Black Lives Matter.

 

Some in the Keeping It Sacred community are Black, and to you, we say that we are here to listen and support you in the struggle to affirm the sanctity of your life. We are here to be deeply reflective, and to be allies and friends.

 

Some in the Keeping It Sacred community are not Black and enjoy the privilege of being able to ignore the issue. And to you we say that our communal value is to refuse to be complacent. Yes. We are dealing with COVID. Yes, we have our own issues. But, we acknowledge that it is easy to make excuses. Instead, we will challenge ourselves to muster our energy to actively search within ourselves and our communities and the institutions of which we are a part, to affirm the value that Black Lives Matter.

 

Our antiracist activities begin with a cheshbon hanefesh- a searching within our soul— and aligning what is in our hearts with what our texts teach.

 

The rabbis tell us that God created humanity from one person so that no one could say that my ancestor was greater than your ancestor.

 

Our spiritual orientation affirms that we are all connected. Like family. And injustice against you is an affront to me. And it is also an affront to our shared Creator.

 

Engagement in creating a safer society looks different to each of us. Our advocacy activities may include:

-Addressing blatant or veiled racist comments online or in person

-Addressing bias in HR practices in our workplace

-Teaching our children the inherent value in every human being

-Vocalizing support for law enforcement reforms in meetings, with letters, and our votes

-Writing to, or meeting with, lawmakers to create just practices across society

-Examining media and calling it out when it is derogatory

-Funding and/or serving in leadership positions within organizations working to eradicate racial bias

-Working to eradicate inequities in medical care by writing to hospital boards

-Promoting the understanding of our interconnected world by validating the unique experiences of people of color within our affinity groups

-Checking in on one another

-Reading or writing informative works on racial inequities

 

Keeping It Sacred is about creating a community based on the highest ethical values; universal values that are deemed sacrosanct in ancient texts.

 

Rabbi Miller will host a book club to discuss two books addressing systemic racism, and will share connections to ancient Jewish texts that apply. We will discuss:

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo June 21 at 7pm PT, and

When They Call You A Terrorist by Black Lives Matter co-Founder, Patrisse Cullors on both

July 12 at 7pm PT and

Augist 9 at 10am PT

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

 

Whether you can make it or not, please visit rabbiheathermiller.com to sign up to our mailing list as we will continue to affirm the sacred in life.

 

Thank you for #keepingitsacred

PRIVATE DISCUSSION WITH FAITH LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT 

Monday night, Rabbi Miller participated in an urgent, private roundtable discussion with several law enforcement, faith, and civic leaders in Orange County. The Rev. Ralph Williamson of Christ Our Redeemer (COR) A.M.E. Church organized the gathering to discuss events in the wake of the George Floyd murder by the Minneapolis Police Department.

 

On the zoom call were the OC Sheriff Don Barnes, Irvine Police Department Chief Mike Hamel,  Dr. Framrose Virjee President of Cal State Fullerton,  Pastor Ivan Pitts of Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana, , Adam Overton of CLUE-OC, UC Irvine Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion Douglas Haynes, Mark Reed of 100 Black Men of Orange County, Nina Boyd Associate Superintendent of Community and Student Support Services, Rev. Dr. Dave Grant of COR Church, and Jason Aguilar of Arise Church. Mayor of Irvine Christina Shea was on the call as well. The group discussed concerns about police violence directed at the community, budgets, military style tactics, hiring practices, and especially structures of accountability for law enforcement. 

EPISCOPAL DIOSCESE PROGRAM GROUP FOR INTERFAITH LIFE

Rabbi Miller was invited by the Bishop (The Rt. Rev.) John Harvey Taylor, seventh bishop of the six county Episcopal Dioscese of Los Angeles, to participate in his Program Group for Ecumenical and Interfaith Life.

 

The council provides resources, programming and communication services aimed to strengthen and widen interfaith collaboration. Bishop John H. Taylor; Ravi Verma, chair (All Saints, Pasadena); the Rev. Michael Fincher (St. Gregory’s, Long Beach); Dot Leach (St. John Chrysostom, Rancho Santa Margarita); Canon Kay Lindahl (St. Luke’s, Long Beach); the Rev. Elizabeth Rechter (Stillpoint); Canon Bob Williams (diocesan staff & parishioner, St. James’, Los Angeles); the Very Rev. Frank Alton (Saint A's, Echo Park), as well as interfaith leaders such as Tasneem Noor, Tahil Sharma, and Ravi Verma participated. Each warmly welcomed Rabbi Miller and the group shared ideas about future collaborations together, to be revealed soon. 

 

The group honored Rabbi Miller with the opportunity to offer the benediction. Among other things, Rabbi Miller offered blessings over the great joy in gathering together to join with the Creator of All to continue to work for the world we all wish to see. 

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 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 on this week's Torah Portion, Shlach, Numbers 13:1 - 15:41, called "Send Yourself" can be found by clicking HERE:

Torah

INSTALLATION OF THE 2020-2021 WOMEN'S RABBINIC NETWORK BOARD

On Tuesday, June 2, Rabbi Miller and the entire 2020-2021 board of the Women’s Rabbinic Network were officially installed via zoom. 100 colleagues gathered from various locations across the country. Among them was Rabbi Sally Priesand, the first woman to be ordained rabbi in America in 1972. Her presence, and the reminder of her legacy, underscored the importance of the organization and our work. 

 

It was a soul-lifting joy to wish her a day-early Siman Tov u’Mazal Tov on her 48th ordination anniversary. 

 

Rabbi Sally Priesand, reminds us of the highest ideals of the rabbinate- to be capable, principled, dedicated, devoted leaders. And, to continually work to eliminate societal bias and prejudice and the limits they impose. 

JEWISH LIFE AFTER WELLESLEY

June 7, 2020, Rabbi Miller served on a panel of Wellesley College Alumnae called "Working in the Jewish Professional World." 100 registrants from the classes of '60-'21 gathered via zoom from their homes all over the world including in California, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Israel.

Rabbi Miller shared insights on her path to the rabbinate via her childhood in an interfaith family, Jewish Day School, and a Wellesley classmate's interest in rabbinical school. Rabbi Miller shared of her experiences working in the Jewish communal world, chaplaincy, education, congregational life, writing a book, and now founding Keeping It Sacred.

 

Panel moderator and Wellesley Alumna Rabbi Deb Goldstein '72 affirmed the importance of being nimble within the changing Jewish world. 

RE(SOUL)UTIONS ELUL COUNT

The last month of the Jewish Year is called Elul. It is a month of introspection and soul searching in advance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Join us as we get a taste of the e-book RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair with author Rabbi Heather Miller. It is a book designed to be read each day of the month of Elul. Each of these classes will prepare us for the week of introspection ahead. 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 on Sundays, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, and 9/6. For more information by messaging rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. 

Register

ACCESS MORE LEARNING HERE

 

1) Purchase Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair.

 

"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 RESOLUTIONS: 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!

CLICK HERE to purchase RE(SOUL)UTIONS!

2) Take the Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair online course!

 

This is a five-session class and can be used before, after or in conjunction with reading the online book.

Purchase includes access to the five-session course portal, handouts, and audio teaching files. PLUS, all subscriptions before June 15 will receive a complimentary 1-hour spiritual counseling session with Rabbi Miller at no additional charge. After purchase email her at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to set up a time to meet.

 

Learners will:

  • Understand the importance and origins of self-review in the Jewish tradition
  • Sense encouragement as you begin your path to self-repair
  • Begin to identify a vision for your truest expression of yourself
  • Feel empowered to claim that version of yourself
  • Overcome obstacles that hold you back from flourishing as your true self
  • Increase awareness of the importance of this work
  • Commit to repeating this practice regularly in life
  • Enjoy guidance from the wisdom of the Jewish tradition all along the way!
     

Click here to purchase.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the Online Course!

3) Study with us on our closed, secret and FREE facebook group!

 

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. 

 

We are 64 members strong from:

Los Angeles, New York, Canada, Colchester Essex England, 2 in Las Vegas, Orange County, San Diego, 2 in SF, Upstate NY, 2 in Minnesota, 2 in Iowa, 2 in Wisconsin, Washington State, 2 in Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, Vermont, Florida, 2 in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 2 in 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

Reform Cantors

Retired people

People of other faiths

 

We are in our 20s to 80s

 

We are everywhere on the spectrum of gender.

 

And, we are 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.

 

CLICK HERE to request to join the Facebook Group!

SHABBAT SINGALONG- NEW TIME AND DAY!

The Shabbat Singalong program for kids (and kids at heart) will now be featured ON SHABBAT-- Saturdays at 9am! Join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for songs, Hebrew learning, a Torah story, and space to express gratitude. Email: rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and passcode!

LIVE/VIRTUAL 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 11:30am PST/ 2:30pm EST/ 7:30pm Londontime. Contact rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for 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. 

 

EVERY SATURDAY: SHABBAT SINGALONG 

NOW ON SATURDAYS, at 9am PST, noon EST, 5pm Londontime, join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for an uplifting kid-friendly Shabbat Singalong. Pick up some Hebrew vocabulary and get in touch with gratitude in community! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and password.

 

THURSDAY, 6/11: QUEENS LIBRARY LGBTQ AND RELIGION PANEL

Religious faith, traditions, and preconceptions about gender roles and sexuality are more often than not difficult subjects of discussion. In this interfaith virtual panel hosted by Asher MacInnis-Call, we will examine exactly those very issues that most people avoid in a frank, open, and enlightening discussion. To view, simply tune in at 3pm PST/6pm EST Thursday, June 11 here: http://connect.queenslibrary.org/6407 . 

 

THURSDAY, 6/11: PRIDE INSIDE BOOK EVENT 

Celebrate Rabbi Miller's inclusion in the new book Mishkan Ga'avah-- Where Pride Dwells with a special book release event called "PRIDE INSIDE: An Interfaith Discussion and Celebration of LGBTQ Spirituality with LGBTQ Leaders." This event is co-sponsored by the CCAR Press and the HRC. You may register through them here: https://ccar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZdTQa2iQSXKI7NUk_gFgIQ.

 

SUNDAYS, 6/21, 7/12, and 8/9: RABBI MILLER'S BOOK CLUB

Rabbi Miller will host a book club to discuss two books addressing systemic racism, and will share connections to ancient Jewish texts that apply. We will discuss:
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo June 21 at 7pm PT, and

When They Call You A Terrorist by Black Lives Matter co-Founder, Patrisse Cullors on both

July 12 at 7pm PT and

Augist 9 at 10am PT

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

 

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

The last month of the Jewish Year is called Elul. It is a month of introspection and soul searching in advance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Join us as we get a taste of the e-book RE(SOUL)UTIONS: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair with author Rabbi Heather Miller. It is a book designed to be read each day of the month of Elul. Each of these classes will prepare us for the week of introspection ahead. 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 PST on Sundays, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, and 9/6. Reach out by asking for more information by messaging through rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. 

 

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.comor 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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