Tonight we light a candle for the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. For the five million also killed who were people with disabilities, or those who were Catholic or queer or Roma, or who were killed for their political beliefs. And also for those who fit many of these categories all at once. 

We also know that the Holocaust has never only been about victimhood. Unwieldy amounts of power and hate coalesced to form literal centers of killing and death, but in big and in small ways, the people resisted.

We live in a time when there is no shortage of interest in acts of resistance like the Warsaw ghetto uprising, and the activities of the White Rose leaflet company, and also in the spiritual resistance of those who risked their own lives to preserve the dignity of others. Some did this by sharing a morsel of bread with another, hiding families in homes, or through fervent prayer or ritual. There are many accounts of resistance in many forms. I’m always completely amazed with the story of the family who, in 1931, pridefully placed their Hanukkah menorah on their windowsill opposite the Nazi banner. 

At Keeping It Sacred, today we pause to honor those whose lives were snuffed out by hate in the Holocaust, and to also recognize that the resistance continues. We resist by remembering what we have overcome. We resist by uplifting human dignity wherever it is threatened. We resist by magnifying the great light of Torah and its central tenet that we must love our neighbor as ourselves. (Leviticus 19:18)

In the pages of this newsletter, you will find opportunities to remember on this sacred day. And you will also find invitations to join our community in keeping the light of Torah lit for all, with accessible, relevant, and empowering programming. See the creativity and thoughtfulness of our members. Learn the wisdom of the sages. Meet hatred with love through acts of social service and social justice. Continue the tradition of questioning everything and living intentionally.

In all of these ways and more, may we honor the memories of the deceased, and may their memories be a blessing.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred….

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

IN OBSERVANCE OF YOM HASHOAH: SURVIVORS' TALMUD

TODAY: In observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) this year,  join us as we explore The Survivors’ Talmud, a work inextricably linked to Jewish hope and survival triumphing over the Nazi plan for extermination of Jewish life. Jackie Ben Efraim, the Special Collections Director at The Ostrow Library at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles will lead us through this fascinating history and leave us with insights on the determination, strength, and resilience of the Jewish people. Join us Monday April 17 at Noon PT/3pm ET.

More about the speaker and Survivor's Talmud:

Jackie Ben-Efraim is originally from Silver Spring, MD where she volunteered in the school library in lieu of gym class. Jackie started her college career at the University of Maryland. She moved to New York to attend the Joint Program at JTS and Columbia University. She completed her undergraduate degree as well as her MLS at Columbia. Jackie was an intern at the YIVO library as part of her masters degree program. After Jackie moved to Los Angeles in 1980, she studied at UCLA’s Rare Book School and has taken courses in book conservation under the direction of the Head of Preservation at The Huntington Library. For the last 15 years, Jackie has been the Special Collections Librarian in the Ostrow Library’s Lowy-Winkler Family Rare Book Center at American Jewish University. Twice a year she creates exhibits with materials from the Lowy-Winkler Rare Book Center.
 

The Survivors Talmud, sometimes called the U.S. Army Talmud, is the amazing saga of how a set of Shas Talmud came to be printed for the Jews in DP (Displaced Persons) camps following the Holocaust. The fact that the printing was under the auspices of the U.S. Army is not the only fascinating fact about this edition. For the last ten years, Jackie Ben-Efraim had been searching for the heretofore unknown illustrator who created the moving title page depicting a concentration camp. With the help of her fellow members of the Association of Jewish Libraries, she was able to discover the artist’s identity, which she will share in this presentation, along with other anecdotes about the struggle to create religious materials for those who survived the horrors of WWII.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/event-details/yom-hashoah-the-survivors-talmud

CA REPARATIONS TASK FORCE

TONIGHT! This June the CA Reparations Task Force will issue its final report on U.S. and CA state-related harms to African Americans, their families and communities - originating with Slavery and perpetuated in different institutional forms for generations. The report will also include proposals for state remediations and repair.  

The Black Jewish Justice Alliance (BJJA) (of which Keeping It Sacred is a member), SCLC of Southern California, IKAR, NAACP of the San Fernando Valley, and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action invite you to an in-person event TONIGHT, April 17th, for a preview of  the CA Task Force Report, what reparations are and why they’re necessary, and a strategy discussion for making the Task Force proposals a legislative reality. This event will be held at 7pm PT at the IKAR Event Space at 1729 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035. There is now also an ONLINE option. Please register HERE. For more information, please contact Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

SHABBAT SERVICES THIS MONTH- NEW WEEK! MAY 5!

As you know, we usually host Shabbat Services the LAST Friday night of the month. This month, however, we will toggle that date to May 5 at 5:30pm. Those who are able are welcome to attend in person at our headquarters in Los Angeles. Please pivot with us, to join the Keeping It Sacred community for reflection and rejuvenation, and register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming and email Rabbi Miller for the address. We look forward to marking Shabbat together soon.

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. For more on what counting the Omer is, please see this article: And please join us on Facebook (HERE and HERE) or on Instagram @hearabbi or @keepingitsacred.

KITS COMMUNITY CREATES: MIDRASH

Following up from our stellar Creative Writing of Midrash workshops, participants shared their stunningly beautiful works. And- wow!- do each of these artistic works add in another layer of understanding of the text! Please see our KITS Community Midrashim in word, song, and visual arts HERE. (Available for all to see on our website!)

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

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Sundays 9am PT/12pm ET beginning April 23, 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 HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

April 25 at 9am PT/noon ET the Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review group will explore another in our select collection of psalms and their messages about racial justice. This is our way of starting each month with a new vision of racial justice.

Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

CCAR BOOK: PROPHETIC VOICES OUT NOW!

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 we are very excited to announce that it is now available!

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

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

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

THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET FOR LOS ANGELES

KITS Members in Los Angeles: It is said that a budget is a moral document. Now is your opportunity to share your thoughts on what morals and values the budget of the city of Los Angeles should reflect. Please take a moment to fill out this survey for the People's Budget LA: HERE.

LOS ANGELES SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DAY OF SERVICE

Please consider joining the Second Annual Valley Day of Service on Sunday, April 30. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel will be joined by a number of special guests, including Mayor Karen Bass.

Keeping It Sacred is one of the dozens of community groups and nonprofits to work on service projects around the San Fernando Valley. Projects include cleaning our neighborhoods, packing homeless outreach kits, a blood drive, supporting our seniors and healthcare workers and so much more. These projects are filling up fast, so be sure to sign up ASAP!

All volunteers should meet at Pierce College at 9 a.m. for breakfast, directions, and some positive energy. Advance registration is required.

For information and to register, please visit http://tinyurl.com/VDS2023.

RAC DAY OF ACTION IN DC

For KITS community members IN and able to get to Washington, DC on May 10: 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.

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.

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

4/10 & 11 ARTISTIC FREEDOM MIDRASH WORKSHOP

Liberate yourself from a stuffy or restricted biblical study experience. Join Rabbi Miller for this two-day, two-part series as we ask all kinds of questions of the traditional Exodus text and then, together, answer them creatively- in poetry, art, free-form writing, or song. See ancient texts through new lenses and with new relevance to our modern global community. And may we be inspired by freedom this Passover Season! 9am PT/ noon ET April 10 &11 (two days). Register for this program HERE.

4/13 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. 

4/13 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.  

4/17 A YOM HASHOAH PROGRAM: SURVIVORS' TALMUD

In observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) this year,  join us as we explore The Survivors’ Talmud, a work inextricably linked to Jewish hope and survival triumphing over the Nazi plan for extermination of Jewish life. Jackie Ben Efraim, the Special Collections Director at The Ostrow Library at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles will lead us through this fascinating history and leave us with insights on the determination, strength, and resilience of the Jewish people. Join us Monday April 17 at Noon PT/3pm ET. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

4/17 CA REPARATIONS TASK FORCE 

The Black Jewish Justice Alliance (BJJA) (of which Keeping It Sacred is a member), SCLC of Southern California, IKAR, NAACP of the San Fernando Valley, and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action invite you to an in-person event on Monday evening, April 17th, for a preview of  the CA Reparations Task Force Report, what reparations are and why they’re necessary, and a strategy discussion for making the Task Force proposals a legislative reality. This event will be held at 7pm PT at the IKAR Event Space at 1729 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035. For more information, please contact Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.

4/20 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. 

4/20 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.

4/23 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 April 23 here.

4/25 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

Tuesday, 4/25 at 9am PT/12pm ET for the following weeks, the Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review group will explore select psalms and their messages about racial justice. This is our way of ending each month with a new vision of racial justice.

4/27 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. 

4/27 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.  

4/30 DAY OF SERVICE IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Keeping It Sacred is one of the dozens of community groups and nonprofits to work on service projects around the San Fernando Valley. Projects include cleaning our neighborhoods, packing homeless outreach kits, a blood drive, supporting our seniors and healthcare workers and so much more. These projects are filling up fast, so be sure to sign up at http://tinyurl.com/VDS2023.

5/4 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. 

5/4 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.  

5/5 SHABBAT SERVICES-- NOTE THIS NEW DATE

5/5 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller 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.

5/7 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 7 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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