Purim begins this Friday night-- and if you haven't ever read the book of Esther in its entirety, please do! It is amazing. (and you can do that HERE)

But in a nutshell, a Jewish woman named Esther lives in the town of Shushan with her uncle Mordecai. Mordecai is a man about town and one day overhears a plot to assassinate the king. He informs the king's staff who credit him with saving the king's life and this is written down in the official history books. But because he is a Jew, he will only bow to God and he will not bow to the king's evil henchman Haman, which angers Haman.

Later, Mordecai's niece wins a beauty contest where the winner will marry the king, but the king doesn't know she's Jewish. This is a problem because, on advice of Haman who is still angry about Jews not bowing to him, the king decrees a date to kill the Jews.

Mordecai encourages Esther to tell the king that she is Jewish so that he might change his mind about the decree. So, after a few days of fasting, she comes out about her Jewish identity and asks the king to overturn the decree. Then the king has a dilemma- does he leave the decree in place siding with his advisor Haman, or does he overturn it showing allegiance to his wife. He can't sleep at night and so, to sleep he has his royal historians read him the historical records-- and by chance they read him the record of Mordecai. the Jew, saving the king's life! Naturally, in the end, the king sides with Esther and reverses the decree, and the Jews are saved! A party ensues.

Holiday is about being proud of who you truly are-- about sharing your identity with loved ones, and about doing hard things for the benefit of all. The story is also about the power of history, and the importance of doing the right thing-- how it all matters big and small and may matter when you least expect it. And this story is about the chance nature of life-- how Esther was, by chance, chosen as winner of the pageant; and how by chance the historians read the story of Mordecai saving the king's life.

These are all important life lessons that we celebrate across Jewish communities. At Keeping It Sacred, we will retell the story of the book of Esther in a fun mad-libs kind of way on Friday at 9am PT. And on Saturday, we will gather with master baker, Diana Braker, to bake Hamantaschen (triangle shaped cookies said to resemble Haman's hat; or, some say a uterus celebrating the heroine of the story) at 10am PT (online and in person). Please join us!

One more interesting fact about Purim-- in the Scroll of Esther, in which the Purim Story is recorded, God is never mentioned. Not once, begging the question of God's role in all of this. Was it God working behind the scenes to save the Jewish people? Or was it Esther's determination and courage to reveal her identity that saved the Jews? Or was it a stroke of luck that all of these things lined up to save the Jews?

What do you think about this question? Let's discuss it at any of our upcoming Purim programs! Thinking deeply about life-- that's how we keep it sacred.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

CHAT-OMG PURIM

Join us at 9am | Noon ET Friday, March 22 for a Purim Party like you’ve never experienced. Capitalize on our online experience with an interactive chat box retelling of the story of Esther. Join us for A Purim ChatOMG! REGISTER HERE.

INTERGENERATIONAL HAMANTASCHEN JAM SESSION

This Purim, all ages are invited on March 23rd to enjoy making the Jewish culinary delicacy: hamantaschen! Beloved Keeping It Sacred member and master baker Diana Braker will prep and guide our experience so that we can enjoy the satisfaction of making fresh baked desserts, and eating them, too. Please note this event is held both online and in person! Please email mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com for our in person location. (LA area!) REGISTER HERE NOW! Please note welcoming is at 10am PT | 1pm ET and baking begins at 10:30am PT | 1:30pm ET.

IN THE NEWS: LA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY GEORGE GASCON MAKES HISTORY LAUNCHING FIRST INTERFAITH ADVISORY BOARD

This past week, Rabbi Miller was sworn in to serve on the first ever Los Angeles County District Attorney's Interfaith Advisory Board. Of the experience, Rabbi Miller wrote: "Today was such a powerful day. To be sworn in as a member of the first ever Los Angeles District Attorney Interfaith Advisory Board, surrounded by dear friends and community members who want a Los Angeles built upon truth and justice, and to follow that by a press conference for a man who was freed before our eyes- exonerated after the facts proved that he did not commit the crime he was incarcerated for (for 19 years)! His mama and aunt were there and his aunt told me that every day of his incarceration, she mailed him an 8 page letter from her home in Georgia filled with positive messages, biblical scripture to keep him strong, and love. Finding the truth of the matter, matters. My kids missed some school today to attend, but they definitely got an education. Please watch these videos especially about the exoneration as it will remind each of us of the power of a just legal system. And for my Talmud nerds!- we learned about the dangers of relying only on the testimony of one witness and why Jewish law requires at least two…"

Check out media coverage of the event here, and here, and here, and here.

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 sessions are led by beloved KITS community members Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. The next gathering will be MARCH 24TH.

For this workshop: Our next KITS Creatively Club will meet Sunday, March 24 at 9 am PST, 12 pm EST, will be lead by Shari Pratt, and take 2 sessions. This will be our second session, but please don’t let it dissuade you from joining if you missed the first. We will be making Family Trees like you have never seen before! All you need is paper and a pen or pencil. REGISTER HERE!

MARCH: QUEEN'S SHABBAT!

Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month.

These services take place the LAST Friday night of the month both online and in person (in Sherman Oaks, CA) at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Please RSVP for both at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming and if you’d like to join in person, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com for details.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

March’s service is Queen’s Shabbat in honor of Purim (3/29)

April’s service is Passover Shabbat (this may be a Saturday morning service*)

May’s Shabbat is Fire Pit Shabbat in honor of Lag B’Omer (5/31)

June’s service is Summertime Shabbat (6/28)

NISAN ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of ending each month with a new vision of racial justice. April 11th 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET: Register here! And mark your calendar for upcoming dates: Iyyar Roch Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: May 9

• Sivan Roch Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: June 6

• Roch Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: July 5

• Av Roch Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: August 8

• Elul  Roch Chodesh Racial Jusice Book Review: September 5

INTERFAITH ZOOM PASSOVER SEDER

Join us again this year for Keeping It Sacred’s 4th Annual Interfaith, Intergenerational, International Passover Seder hosted online by Grammy-winning musician, Joanie Leeds and our own Rabbi Heather Miller 5:30pm PT /8:30pm ET April 23rd (this is a second night seder)! REGISTER HERE.

GRIEF IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Hosted by Keeping It Sacred Muslims for Progressive Values: Hear from those living with Grief in the Middle East as we invite members of the Parents' Circle to share reflections on their experiences as parents who have lost children in violence. Explore human suffering and a new vision for the future. Bringing the Parents’ Circle (https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/pcff-home-page-en/) to a zoom event 9am PT | Noon ET on 5/20. Register here!

SHARE YOUR INTERFAITH WEDDING STORY WITH 18 DOORS

18Doors (formerly interfaithfamily.com) is looking to learn about the contours of interfaith weddings. Who officiated? In what ways were the elements of your traditions incorporated? What were special or memorable moments? Share your story with 18Doors here! “We want to see your Jewish Interfaith Wedding!”

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

Our Introduction to Judaism® online course gives participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community.  This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.

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This course is designed for spiritual seekers, interfaith couples, individuals pursuing or considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful chance to reconnect with their Judaism as an adult.

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Classes will be held Mondays at 1pm PT/4pm ET from January 22 through June 3, with breaks March 25 (Spring Break) and May 27 (Memorial Day).

The program is led by Rabbi Heather Miller and her teaching style is interactive, and encouraging of questions. She is queer and a member of an interracial, international, interfaith family, and joyfully engages with folks of all backgrounds. Rabbi Heather Miller is known for her open, affirming, and joyful approach.

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Come for the program, stay for the community! Weekly classes are augmented by Shabbat and holiday programs and additional experiential components all found on the calendar (HERE). Our course of 18 classes is $360 for individuals, and $500 for couples. No experience necessary. All are welcome!

View the course outline HERE. Full course materials are provided upon registration.

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Register for this program HERE.

JEWS OF COLOR JOURNEY TOWARDS HEALING

Our own beloved Keeping It Sacred member, Jill Housen of 3W Consulting, thanks to a generous grant from The Jews of Color Initiative, will launch the “JOC Journey to Healing” virtual program in April 2024 to provide a sacred space for the Jews of Color community to heal and center JOC leadership. JOCs- please join us! This program is free of charge (covered by the grant). If you have any questions before you register, please email tamarghidalia@gmail.com and oshun821@gmail.com. To register: bit.ly/JOC-Journey-Toward-Healing

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.

Immediately following that: at 11am PT/2pm ET, join us as we jump into a conversation with the rabbinic sages of old. We enjoy studying a page of Talmud every day and reviewing together every Thursday, adding our perspectives and the relevance to our own lives as we go along. We enjoy participation from participants across the world who span the spectrum of race, gender, class, age, and connection to Jewish thought.

The rabbis could never have imagined such a wonderful group considering their thoughts!

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."

To join, 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!

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.

3/18 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

3/21 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. 

3/21 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.  

3/22 CHATOMG PURIM

Join us at 9am PT | Noon ET Friday, March 22 for a Purim Party like you’ve never experienced. Capitalize on our online experience with an interactive chat box retelling of the story of Esther. Join us for A Purim ChatOMG! REGISTER HERE.

3/23 INTERGENERATIONAL PURIM JAM SESSION W/ DIANA BRAKER

This Purim, all ages are invited on March 23rd to enjoy making the Jewish culinary delicacy: hamantaschen! Beloved Keeping It Sacred member and master baker Diana Braker will prep and guide our experience so that we can enjoy the satisfaction of making fresh baked desserts, and eating them, too. Please note this event is held both online and in person! Please email mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com for our in person location. (LA area!) REGISTER HERE NOW! Please note welcoming is at 10am PT | 1pm ET and baking begins at 10:30am PT | 1:30pm ET.

3/24 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! 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.

3/28 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. 

3/28 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.  

3/29 SHABBAT SERVICES

Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Rabbi Miller is our rabbi! And, Max Winer is a storyteller, song leader, and musician who uses these creative expressions to help create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a love of Judaism. These services take place the LAST Friday night of the month both online and in person (in Sherman Oaks, CA) at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET.

4/1 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/4 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. 

4/4 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.  

4/8 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/11 NISAN ROCH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of ending each month with a new vision of racial justice. 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET: REGISTER HERE.

4/11 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. 

4/11 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.  

4/15 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/18 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. 

4/18 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.  

4/22 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

4/23 INTERFAITH, INTERGENERATIONAL PASSOVER SEDER

Join us again this year for Keeping It Sacred’s 4th Annual Interfaith, Intergenerational, International Passover Seder hosted online by Grammy-winning musician, Joanie Leeds and our own Rabbi Heather Miller 5:30pm PT /8:30pm ET April 23rd (this is a second night seder). Register here!

4/25 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. 

4/25 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.  

4/26 SHABBAT SERVICES

Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Rabbi Miller is our rabbi! And, Max Winer is a storyteller, song leader, and musician who uses these creative expressions to help create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a love of Judaism. These services take place the LAST Friday night of the month both online and in person (in Sherman Oaks, CA) at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET. Register here!

4/29 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM®

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals on Mondays at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. Come for the class, stay for the community! REGISTER HERE.

5/20 GRIEF IN THE MIDDLE EAST

9am PT/ noon ET on 5/20 join us for Grief in the Middle East. A program hosted by Keeping It Sacred Muslims for Progressive Values: Hear from those living with Grief in the Middle East as we invite members of the Parents' Circle to share reflections on their experiences as parents who have lost children in violence. Explore human suffering and a new vision for the future. Register here!

THANK YOU!

You are a cherished member of this community and we love to hear from you-- what questions do you have? Reach out to 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...

And now on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, RadioPublic, PocketCasts!

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