Before a person shares a truth about their life, there's a moment of deep pause that happens. The pause may last a split second or decades, but in that moment, a person calculates if it is safe to share more of who they are authentically. In the queer community, that moment precedes their courageous truth-telling, correcting false assumptions society makes on their gender or orientation.

That moment can be terrifying. Why? Because of homophobia and because of hostility towards the trans and gender non-conforming community. The reality that people are killed every day for trying to live their truth-- a truth that doesn't happen to line up with the structure society promotes.

And even when physical violence isn't at risk, close bonds may be. It is chilling to think that coming out to a co-worker, dear friend, or family member, may sacrifice the relationship. Fear of isolation, ostracism, or negative social and economic repercussions are real.

This month is PRIDE month, a month that gives everyone the excuse to signal to members of the queer community that it is safe to come out. That a person will be celebrated for who they are in all that they are regardless of gender or sexual orientation. And everyone deserves to be celebrated for who they are in all that they are. PRIDE month helps take the fear out of living authentically. PRIDE month minimizes that pause before sharing truth.

This month, as part of PRIDE, some schools around the country step up to support kids in the queer community. PRIDE in school reminds kids that school is a safe place for learning. It is a place where people of all genders and orientations and family structures are affirmed. So that kids like mine, who have two mommies, can answer the truth-- that no, they don't have a daddy, they have two mommies. And they can share their truth without fear of violence or social ostracism. They can do so as a simple matter of fact, and get back to their learning. PRIDE in schools allows everyone to be more authentic in their existence and takes the terror out of coming out about themselves or their family structure. Educators are often invested in creating this type of safe learning environment.

That's why I went to a local elementary school this past week to stand with teachers and administrators who wanted kids to know that they support families that come in all constellations-- ones that live with a mom and dad, or perhaps two moms. That they support families that live in apartments or houses, that like to cook or go out to dinner. That they support all students in all of their learning. A popular way of sharing their support for kids with all kinds of families is by reading to them from a book called The Great Big Book of Families (see it HERE). And indeed this school planned to share this book at an assembly in honor of PRIDE month.

But, in days leading up to PRIDE, administrators were met with fierce resistance from people who twisted the idea of this assembly and staged a demonstration. They whipped up far-fetched imaginings of teachers and administrators grooming elementary school kids for gay sex. A PRIDE flag was burned. One demonstrator I spoke with actually believed that at the assembly, administrators would instruct these young kids in sex acts-- which, by the way, would obviously have been very inappropriate whether the instruction was in queer or heteronormative sex acts. They brought all kinds of banners that called for the school to "Leave Our Kids Alone" and to "Stop Grooming Our Kids." As you might imagine, the protest got heated. I, and the clergy and lay colleagues I stood with to support the teachers and administrators of the school, were screamed at and called all kinds of names.

There was clearly a fundamental misunderstanding of what teaching The Great Big Book of Families was meant to do, and how reminding kids that they were safe at school was indeed age-appropriate. What kids need at the elementary school age level, and I say this having been an educator for more than 25 years, is an awareness that families come in all shapes and sizes and that they will be welcome at school whatever shape their family is in.

I, with the strong support of the KITS Community, was proud to stand with clergy colleagues and lay people in support of the school. I felt like my family was personally supported by those who stood with us. Teachers, families, and administrators, school board members and state senators felt supported, too, as they thanked us sincerely for our presence at the school.

Unfortunately, in the days since, I have seen awful things shared online about me and others who stood with the school. I was targeted for publicly sharing the significance of schools reminding kids and families like mine that they are welcome and safe there. It is scary. And awful. And sometimes I wonder why I am even doing this work, taking big personal riske. But then I remember the teaching from Talmud Berachot 64a which reminds us that peace is made for children when people build it. I have a sacred obligation to speak my truth and make room for other families and kids to share theirs. So we can just get on with the learning.

Thank you to everyone who has sent a message or financial contribution to Keeping It Sacred to show your support and act in solidarity. To affirm that the Keeping It Sacred community is a community that walks the talk. I truly couldn't do it without you.

This is how together, we’re #keepingitsacred…. 

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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.

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 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!

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

TORAH FOR OUR TIMES: A SOUTH AFRICAN-LED TORAH STUDY

We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com.

Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 8 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

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. The next gathering will be Sunday, June 18.

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

ABBEY GOLDEN ART SHOW

Amazing artist and Keeping It Sacred Member, Abbey Golden, will open her art show on the complexities of gender and motherhood in her 'Golden Age of Fluidity’ running June 15th ~ July 29th 2023 at one of the "seven indie art spaces to check out in Los Angeles" and one of the "five hottest art galleries to visit in Los Angeles," Lauren Powell Projects at 5225 Hollywood Blvd.

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review group is dedicated to beginning each month with an intention around addressing racial justice in the world. We are exploring teachings from Prophetic Voices, a book published by the CCAR Press (see information below to purchase), and the CA Reparations Report (available HERE). Please join us as we celebrate the ways we are helping to bring the world to a more just vision of equality and access, and holding ourselves and one another accountable to an ethic of racial justice. Our participants will lead reflections.

The sessions begin at 9am PT/12pm ET:

June 20: Wendy will illuminate Chapter 12 of the Reparations Report, and Rabbi Miller will illuminate selections from Prophetic Voices pages 248-265, and 460-475.

Register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

CCAR BOOK: PROPHETIC VOICES

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 it is now available!

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

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 June 30!

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

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.

The past tractate we completed was called Sotah-- and our creative and cherished KITS Community member Sheryl Aronson wrote this poem about it. Enjoy!

SIYYUM TRACTATE SOTAH

If your man sees you with another man

Innocent though it may be,

If your man’s jealous of the other man

He’ll see what he wants to see.

He’ll tell the sages you are a sotah,

Your reputation he’ll sink.

The sages will write a curse about you,

They’ll make you drink a bitter drink.

If you’re a sotah

and you drink their “soda”,

It’s a roll of the die if you’ll die.

If your not a sotah

and you drink their “soda”,

It’s a roll of the die if you’ll die.

COMING SOON: KITS FAMILY EDUCATION!

Over 32 local Los Angeles-based families, and another 8 families around the world, have expressed strong interest in Keeping It Sacred imagining a KITS Family Education program including an evergreen bank of resources, personalized guidance, and accessible, relevant, and empowering experiences. Our program is in creation! If you have thoughts, ideas, and/or resources to help us dream big, and/or if you'd like to join our focus group, please contact Rabbi Miller at: rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. Meet our team looking to bring this program to life here:

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

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

6/8 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/8 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. 

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 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/15 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: 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 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/22 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: 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 TORAH FOR OUR TIMES

6/29 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to bring you an opportunity to study Torah with one of the first women rabbis in South Africa, Rabbi Emma Gottlieb. Her infectious energy and love of Torah, music, teaching, and prayer will motivate you through the weekly Torah portion and encourage engagement in the past rabbinic commentaries of the Mikra’ot G’dolot. The weekly Torah portion and commentaries can be found at hebcal.com. Please register for your access to this amazing study group which will begin June 1 at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET and continue Thursdays through August. Please register at: 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.

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!