Happy Sukkot! It is a great time to get out into the great outdoors and appreciate the gifts of the natural world. It is also a great time to get into our sukkah and celebrate members of our community. Since it is National Hispanic American Heritage Month, what a fitting time to celebrate the beauty, creativity, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino Jewish community.

I am so proud that KITS has enjoyed leadership, every year since our founding, from Jewtina y Co., an organization that nurtures Latin-Jewish community, identity, leadership and resiliency (most recently during our High Holy Day season). We have also studied the works of Marjorie Agosin and her collections of poetry from other Latin American Jewish poets (in Miriam's Daughters). And, we have highlighted the work of The Hebrew Mamita, Vanessa Hidary, whose spoken word poetry and writings (Last Kaiser Roll in the Bodega) reflect a sense of deep communal belonging in multiethnic New York.

Sukkot is also a great time to consider those who have passed but who we would love to invite into our sukkah as ushpizin ("guests") around our table if it were possible. One of the people I would invite would definitely be Frida Kahlo, as she has been a personal inspiration. The feeling of her paintings, addressing the pain and isolation of medical trauma, and questioning the rigid social construct of the gender binary, have all resonated with me deeply. And, I would invite Hannah Mendes -- one year, some of our KITS community members launched a book group around Naomi Regan's The Ghost of Hannah Mendes, so you may already be familiar with her compelling story.

Latinx and Hispanic cultures are a beautiful part of the Jewish community. Please take some time to click through the resources above and celebrate our KITS Community members of Latinx and Hispanic descent in all of their varied diversity, from Columbia to Spain to the Philippines (and more!), and back.

This is how together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

At the start of every Hebrew calendar month, we take time to focus on our work for racial justice through the Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review. We are currently exploring the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Interim Report linked HERE:  https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/ab3121-reparations-interim-report-2022.pdf

October 17, 9am PT/12pm ET, we will cover Chapter 11: Unjust Legal System

November 14th, 9am PT/12pm ET. we will cover Chapter 9: Cultural and Intellectual Life

Register HERE to join the discussion and make a difference.

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 October 9th.

And as always, bring your favorite form of creativity to work on, Art, Baking, Craft, Dance, etc. and share inspiration. Some weeks will include someone teaching how to do a project/technique, other weeks will be purely socializing while we do our own things. REGISTER HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

Our Introduction to Judaism® online course will begin on October 16, 2023 at 1pm PT | 4pm ET. We will start October 16 and go Mondays 9 sessions until December 11. We will then pause briefly and pick back up on January 22 for 9 more sessions until March 18.

This 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. This course is open to all, and is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals pursuing or considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful chance to reconnect with their Judaism as an adult.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

ONLINE SURVEY: HIGH HOLY DAY REFLECTIONS

Thank you for worshipping with us at Keeping It Sacred for our High Holy Day services! The holy days certainly left us feeling grateful and connected. Would you please help answer a few quick questions to help us in the future? TAKE THE SURVEY HERE: https://forms.gle/N8wu3tXMHW4u7oGH6

MONTHLY 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. Our next gathering will be October 27th! This will be our last gathering this calendar year in a hybrid format as November, and December will be online only (too cold).

Please register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming, and email rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com if you would like to attend in person.

A TREE OF LIFE: THE PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING

FREE FILM SCREENING IN LOS ANGELES

Hold space for the victims of the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting—the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history—with a documentary film screening that tells the stories of those affected by the attack and brings into sharp focus the hate-based rhetoric that threatens the fabric of our society.

Join a free screening Wednesday, October 4, 7:00 pm at the Skirball Cultural Center in LA. Get ticket reservations here. Our dear friend, Professor Najeeba Syeed will share thoughts on the panel.

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 at at least 38 states and 12 countries across 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 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.

SIYYUM TRACTATE KIDDUSHIN

Grab your place at the table as we sit down with the sages of old and wrestle with their thinking, enjoy their stories, and glean their wisdom! Join us for a Half-Hour Siyyum Tractate Gattin Event on Thursday, November 9th at 12PM PT | 3PM ET. Register here.

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR WORK

We need your help. This community runs entirely on contributions by those who love our work. People like you!

If you value what we bring into the world, please consider a financial contribution to help us cover our costs and build our community in the future- afterall, nothing is guaranteed. So if you like what we are offering, please consider supporting.

Your generous support helps Keeping It Sacred: 

• Unlock access to learning the wisdom of ancient texts 

• Create an open, authentic, empowered community

• Reach out to our interfaith neighbors and friends

• Create a courageous community that effects positive social change
   

Visit our web page keepingitsacred.com/our-future to say YES to helping us build this very special community. We are so grateful for your commitment and generosity!

FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM

IT IS HERE! MOMENTUM: A KITS Family Education offering! Check out our website Family Education page (keepingitsacred.com/family-education) to learn more about the design of this special program that is both personalized and communal, affirms the interests and development of every student, and motivates the work through game theory. We couldn't be more excited about sharing more!

MOMENTUM: A KITS Family Education is a Jewish educational offering for the whole family that:

• Empowers parents

• Considers who your kid is uniquely

• Integrates into your family’s life organically

• Provides content and questions to explore

• Develops a meaningful relationship with the Jewish textual tradition 

• Instills values and encourages critical thinking

• Motivates learning through celebration, and

• Fosters community

   

We will share more with anyone interested in attending an information session. To attend, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com several times and dates that work for you and she will send along a zoom link. This signature program is for anyone in the LA region or beyond, anyone with kids or without.

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.

10/5 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. 

10/5 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.  

10/09 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every Other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET, enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Our first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/12 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. 

10/12 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.  

10/16 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/19 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. 

10/19 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.  

10/23 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every Other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET, enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Our first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/23 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

10/26 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. 

10/26 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.  

10/27 SHABBAT SERVICES

Sing, eat, gather in community at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. This is the last hybrid service of the calendar year-- November and December will be ONLINE ONLY due to cold winter temps. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer 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.

10/30 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/02 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. 

11/02 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.  

11/06 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every Other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET, enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Our first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/06 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/09 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. 

11/09 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.  

11/09 SIYYUM TRACTATE KIDDUSHIN

12pm PT/3pm ET; Grab your place at the table as we sit down with the sages of old and wrestle with their thinking, enjoy their stories, and glean their wisdom! Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/13 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/16 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. 

11/16 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.  

11/20 KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Every Other Sunday 9am PT/12pm ET, enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. Our first session was wonderful with the leadership of Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/20 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/23 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. 

11/23 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.  

11/24 SHABBAT SERVICES

Sing, eat, gather in community at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. THIS gathering will be ONLINE ONLY.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.

11/27 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM ®

Mondays at 1PM PT | 4PM ET, this 18-session class is the perfect introduction to Jewish loving, theology, texts, history, holidays and rituals. Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming.

11/30 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. 

11/30 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.  

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!