There is a blessing you are supposed to say after not having seen a friend in more than 30 days-- and we recited it as a community of over 350 rabbis yesterday at the first day of the in-person Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Convention in over two years! What a joy it was to share this blessing after not having seen these colleagues, rabbis, and friends after so long.

The prayer is called the Shehecheyanu, and the words of this blessing are: Blessed are you Adonai Our God Ruler of the Universe who gave us life, sustained us, and enabled us to see this day. Amen (heard HERE) concludes the blessing. It is the same blessing we say upon lighting the candles the first night of Hanukkah. And the same blessing we say when enjoying the first taste of the harvest of the year of our favorite fruits.

Actually, this blessing can be recited most any time: anytime we are overjoyed to experience something for the first time again, or essentially whenever we feel deep gratitude about an experience. Isn't that great? There is always a blessing of gratitude to say-- a way to sanctify a moment in time that is singular, precious, and unique. 

What this means is that we never have to let a moment go by without naming its sanctity. We can always be on the lookout for things to bless. We can always bring sacredness to moments in our lives that might otherwise pass others by-- they don't always have to be obvious miracles like standing at the foot of Mount Sinai receiving the 10 commandments. Miracles happen all around us, if we only take a moment to recognize their significance. Keep an eye out to the miracles around you.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

WOMEN CLERGY IN THE JEWISH AND EPISCOPALIAN TRADITIONS

Join The Rev. Susan Russell (All-Saints Church, Pasadena) and Rabbi Heather Miller (Keeping It Sacred) over the course of three sessions to discuss women clergy in their respective religious traditions: Jewish and Episcopalian. The sessions will cover where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going. Come, reflect on your experiences and raise your questions with us. This program is over zoom and free, though donations to Keeping It Sacred or All-Saints Church are welcomed. This program is being hosted in honor of the 50th Ordination anniversary of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand which will take place on June 3, 2022.

Join us Sunday nights at 5pm PT/8pm ET, April 11th, 18th, & 25th. Register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

INTERFAITH ZOOM PASSOVER SEDER

Join us April 16th, Saturday night at 5pm PT/8pm ET as Grammy winning artist, Joanie Leeds once again joins our own Rabbi Heather Miller to co-lead our Interfaith, Intergenerational Passover Seder! Celebrate key parts of the seder in a joyful, inclusive environment. No experience necessary. Bring your friends. REGISTRATION at bitly.com/KITSPASSOVER is open NOW!

And check out highlights from last year's gathering HERE:

A BIT ABOUT... PASSOVER

And... for those of you who would like a refresher on the significance of the holiday of Passover, check out this video in the Keeping It Sacred "A Bit About..the Holidays" series. In each episode, Rabbi Miller shares some of her favorite features of the holiday. Available on our YouTube, or if you prefer, our Keeping It Sacred podcast channels (on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google podcasts, and more). For this and more episodes, please see our web page HERE.

UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE: A WORKSHOP

Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience.

Sundays March 20, March 27, April 3, & April 10 at 10:15am PT/1:15pm ET Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

Rosh Chodesh is the celebration of the new month. And over the next six months, our Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review series will take time to explore 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook by Patrisse Cullors. Each month, we will discuss two chapters of this work which will simultaneously address transforming our inner personal lives and also the institutional infrastructures of injustice around us. 3pm PT/6pm ET: 3/3, 4/2, 5/8, 5/31, 6/30 and 7/28 Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

BREAKING NEWS! Co-founder of Black Lives Matter, artist, and author Patrisse Cullors will JOIN US 7/28 to discuss her book!

MAZAL TOV to MAX & KATHERINE

The entire Keeping It Sacred community wishes Max & Katherine a hearty MAZAL TOV on the occasion of their union which took place in Santa Barbara last month. May you always leap with joy in each other's company!

KEEPING (OUR WEBSITE) SACRED

Our new website features new navigation options and a new intro video- check it out- you may recognize some familiar faces there.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MILDRED ANNE LITKE

Last week, Rabbi Miller officiated the memorial service of Mildred Anne Litke. The entire Keeping It Sacred community mourns the loss of this bright and vibrant spirit. Special condolences go out to her family and friends. May all who knew her be comforted among all mourners everywhere. 

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

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 100 members strong from 28 different states and 8 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.

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.

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 programHERE.  

4/2 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Patrisse Cullors herself (the author & co-founder of Black Lives Matter) joins us 7/28! Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

4/3 UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE

10:15am PT/1:15pm ET Sundays March 20-April 10 Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/10 UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BIBLE

10:15am PT/1:15pm ET Sundays March 20-April 10 Have you ever wondered about the parts of the Bible that are not explained? So did the rabbis! And they filled in the gaps in the text with their own writing and understanding of what happened in a literary art form called midrash. Rabbi Miller will explain the concept and provide examples. Then, together, we will do a close read of selected texts to view gaps in the storylines, and write our own expositions based on our own life experience. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/11 WOMEN CLERGY IN THE JEWISH AND EPISCOPALIAN TRADITIONS

Monday nights at 5pm PT/8pm ET, April 11-25. Join The Rev. Susan Russell (All-Saints Church, Pasadena) and Rabbi Heather Miller (Keeping It Sacred) over the course of three sessions to discuss women clergy in their respective religious traditions: Jewish and Episcopalian. The sessions will cover where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going. Come, reflect on your experiences and raise your questions with us. This program is over zoom and free, though donations to Keeping It Sacred or All-Saints Church are welcomed. This program is being hosted in honor of the 50th Ordination anniversary of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand which will take place on June 3, 2022. Register here: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/event-details/women-clergy-in-the-jewish-and-episcopalian-traditions

4/16 INTERFAITH, INTERGENERATIONAL PASSOVER SEDER

Join us April 16th, Saturday night at 5pm PT/8pm ET as Grammy winning artist, Joanie Leeds once again joins our own Rabbi Heather Miller to co-host our Interfaith, Intergenerational Passover Seder! Celebrate key parts of the seder and a joyful, inclusive environment. No experience necessary. Invite your friends. Register here: bitly.com/KITSPASSOVER

4/18 WOMEN CLERGY IN THE JEWISH AND EPISCOPALIAN TRADITIONS

Monday nights at 5pm PT/8pm ET, April 11-25. Join The Rev. Susan Russell (All-Saints Church, Pasadena) and Rabbi Heather Miller (Keeping It Sacred) over the course of three sessions to discuss women clergy in their respective religious traditions: Jewish and Episcopalian. The sessions will cover where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going. Come, reflect on your experiences and raise your questions with us. This program is over zoom and free, though donations to Keeping It Sacred or All-Saints Church are welcomed. This program is being hosted in honor of the 50th Ordination anniversary of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand which will take place on June 3, 2022.

4/25 WOMEN CLERGY IN THE JEWISH AND EPISCOPALIAN TRADITIONS

Monday nights at 5pm PT/8pm ET, April 11-25. Join The Rev. Susan Russell (All-Saints Church, Pasadena) and Rabbi Heather Miller (Keeping It Sacred) over the course of three sessions to discuss women clergy in their respective religious traditions: Jewish and Episcopalian. The sessions will cover where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going. Come, reflect on your experiences and raise your questions with us. This program is over zoom and free, though donations to Keeping It Sacred or All-Saints Church are welcomed. This program is being hosted in honor of the 50th Ordination anniversary of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand which will take place on June 3, 2022.

4/29 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 4/29 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.

5/8 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Patrisse Cullors herself (the author & co-founder of Black Lives Matter) join us 7/28! Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

5/27 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 5/27 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.

6/24 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 6/24 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.

6/30 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Patrisse Cullors herself (the author & co-founder of Black Lives Matter) join us 7/28!Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.
 

7/28 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW & PATRISSE CULLORS

3pm PT/6pm ET, join Rabbi Miller for a discussion of Patrisse Cullors' latest book, 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World: An Abolitionist’s Handbook. Patrisse Cullors herself (the author & co-founder of Black Lives Matter) join us 7/28! Explore how to transform yourself and the world around you amidst thoughtful, committed, tender-hearted community members. All are welcome. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

7/29 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 7/29 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...

GIFTS TO KEEPING IT SACRED

All of us at Keeping It Sacred would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to each and every person who has extended a financial gift to the KITS community this past year. You power the work and ensure that quality relevant & empowering programming and resources remain accessible for all regardless of economic capacity. 

If you like what we're doing and would like to make a meaningful gift in this new year of any amount, please visit our contributions page at:

keepingitsacred.com/our-future

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...

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