Newsletter October 26, 2020 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Keeping It Sacred was established one year ago this month. Of course our "cake" would be a doughnut-- after all, it is hole-y. Since that time, our community has birthed incredible opportunities for our members. Daily gems from the Talmud, weekly expositions on the Torah portion, soul-lifting Healing Circle gatherings, a serious Daf Yomi study group, an internationally celebrated Passover seder, all night Shavuot text study and celebration of the rabbis, deep work on spiritual self-repair, inspiring weddings and baby namings, high holy day programming with soul-stirring music, interfaith dialogues, a 7 episode web series and podcast. My wish in the next year will be to continue to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our community, to honor the wisdom of the texts we have inherited, and to engage our in the critical work of repairing ourselves and the world. Thank you to each and every one of you for your ideas, support, encouragement, engagement. and referrals-- together, we are bringing holiness into the world. Together, we're #keepingitsacred... Rabbi Heather Miller, Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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PEOPLE KEEPING IT SACRED: RABBANIT ALISSA THOMAS-NEWBORN |
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All 7-episodes of our NEW web series, People Keeping It Sacred, are now LIVE on YouTube! The series features Rabbi Miller interviewing some truly inspiring people who are Keeping It Sacred in the world. THIS WEEK-- Rabbi Miller interviews Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn! Rabbanit Alissa is a member of the spiritual leadership at B'nai David-Judea Congregation, an Orthodox shul. She received her semicha from Yeshivat Maharat and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Classical Studies Archaeology and Ancient History. Rabbanit Alissa is also a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). She is currently also a chaplain for Grateful Palliative Care and Hospice. A native Angeleno, Rabbanit Alissa is married to Akiva Newborn. They have a baby girl, Ella Liora, and a snuggly dog named Judy! We became great friends during a Jewish Leadership Fellowship with the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles! We found out we have a LOT in common, and I am honored to be her friend! In this episode (S1E2) with Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, topics discussed include: -Spirituality in sacred texts -Spiritual leadership at this time of COVID -The diversity within Orthodox Judaism -The importance of mental health -Balance in Judaism -Sources of Strength during COVID Please remember to like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube! And, if you would like to share ideas about future guests on the show, or inquire about sponsoring episodes for season 2, please contact Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. |
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If you are eligible and have not done so yet, please vote this week! |
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A PRAYER FOR THE SEASON OF VOTING |
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God Almighty, Makor Chayim, Source of Life, You have given human beings immeasurable gifts, not the least of which is that of free will. The ability to create our own destiny. To determine our own course. This season of voting, many will choose to exercise our free will at the polls, to voice our choice for leadership and policy. As we do, teach us to appreciate the significance of this sacred act: As we review the voting packet, guide us with clear vision of Your most cherished values. As we pick up the pen, remind us that we are writing the next pages of our lives. As we cast our votes, remind us not to cast away the humanity of our fellow human beings. As we await the results, remind us of those who cannot afford to wait for justice. God of Emet, God of truth, Teach all who monitor and administer the polling places to value the truth, to ensure a fair process and an accurate count of the hopes of the people even as many are ineligible to vote or have already been discouraged from doing so. May the true will of the people be be voiced indisputably. Adonai Ezri, God my helpmate, Fortify my spirit as I await the results of this election, with so much at stake for so many, sustain me through the length of the tally, and may my faith in humanity be affirmed in the days of November. Shechina, spread over us all Your great canopy of peace, over all who walk in your ways, and those who do not. May you inspire us all to make room for our fellow human beings, the earth, and all of its inhabitants. May your tent be open and wide. We desire closeness to You. Let us not be cast out from your midst. Baruch at Yah, Blessed are You, source of all that is just hear our prayer for the sake of all your precious Creations. Amen. |
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TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA |
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Join us November 25 at 10:30am PST/1:30pm EST for an unforgettable text study across 10,000 miles! Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation in South Africa has invited our global Keeping It Sacred community to engage in Torah study together via zoom. Rabbi Miller will be teaching hosted by her friend and colleague, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, the first full-time female Rabbi in Cape Town. Here's the session description: TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE:The Great Democratization of the Talmud. The Jewish custom of studying the Talmud is not new. But studying a page of Talmud every day on a cycle, where the entire global community is synced up and can join in, has only been around since 1923 when Rabbi Meir Shapiro proposed the plan. With technology now, we can jump into conversations with the sages and breathe new life into the texts- come see what the excitement is all about or share your experiences. To register, please indicate your interest by contacting Rabbi Miller HERE. |
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HEALING & HEALTH: VOICES FROM OUR SACRED TRADITIONS |
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Sunday, November 1 at 4pm PT/ 7pm ET, Keeping It Sacred has partnered with the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita to host this interfaith discussion on health and healing in our traditions. Panelists include Rabbi Heather Miller (Jewish), Jeff Shields (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Dan Radecki (Bah'ai), and Iman Saymeh (Muslim) and will feature a LIVE Q&A following the discussion. Please register to receive zoom information here: |
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Happy new week! The reflection called "Get Out," on this week's Torah Portion Lech Lecha, Genesis 12:1-17:27, can be found HERE: |
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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. New visual depictions of the pages with thoughtful commentary are available every day on Instagram @keepingitsacred and Facebook. Every Thursday, we discuss the past week's selections in real time via zoom, too! The more varied the participants the deeper the conversations. Currently, we are 81 members strong from: Canada, England, Brazil, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Upstate NY, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Washington, Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, Vermont, Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia. We are: Professors of Jewish Studies People interested in becoming Jewish Members of various Jewish denominations as well as transdenominational Some are Reconstructionist Rabbis Reform Rabbis Jewish Professionals Temple Presidents Reform Cantors 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! To join, send Rabbi Miller an email or DM on Facebook to be added to the closed, secret Facebook group and/or the weekly text study group. And look for us on Instagram HERE. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS: EVERY DAY Please enjoy our 7-episode web series and podcast: People Keeping It Sacred on YouTube HERE or at: Or on your favorite podcast players (like: Spotify Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts). ONGOING: SPIRITUAL COUNSELING Rabbi Miller is available for 1-on-1 spiritual counseling; pay what you can. Topics are based upon the participant and can include your personal theological understanding of coronavirus, spiritually making space for others in your home, the spirituality of isolation and finding your way back to sacred connection. Please request a meeting by contacting her at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. EVERY THURSDAY: PRAYER CIRCLE Join us as we gather Thursdays for a Prayer Circle. Lift up names of those who are ill, and join together for support and community. All are welcome. 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 2:30pm Brazil time, 6:30pm London-time. Contact rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to request the link and password. 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, 3pm Brazil time, 7pm London time, please contact Rabbi Miller directly at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. SUNDAY, 11/1: HEALTH & HEALING: VOICES FROM OUR INTERFAITH TRADITIONS 4pm PST, 7pm EST, Keeping It Sacred has partnered with the Interfaith Council of Greater Rancho Santa Margarita to host this interfaith discussion on health and healing in our traditions. Panelists include Rabbi Heather Miller (Jewish), Jeff Shields (Church of Jesus Christ of LDS), Dan Radecki (Bah'ai), and Iman Saymeh (Muslim) and will feature a LIVE Q&A following the discussion. Please register to receive zoom information here: https://forms.gle/rnMKrerCHXTGcud28 WEDNESDAY, 11/25: TEXT STUDY WITH FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA Join us 11/25 at 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST for our text study with friends in South Africa. Rabbi Miller will teach on the great democratization of the Talmud. With technology now, we can jump into conversations across time and space, and breathe new life into the texts- come see what the excitement is all about or share your experiences. To register, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. THANK YOU! You are a cherished member of this community and we love to hear from you-- what questions do you have? Reach out to rabbiheathermiller@gmail.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... |
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We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to sign up, too! |
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If you’d like to make sure that this kind of quality programming by Keeping It Sacred continues, please consider making a donation via: PayPal using the link here Venmo username: @keepingitsacred, or Check may be made out to Keeping It Sacred and mailed to: 27068 La Paz Rd. #781, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Thank you for #keepingitsacred... |
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