“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

These words, written by Rachel Carson in her 1962 seminal work, Silent Spring, articulate a kind of spirituality rooted in connection with the earth. 

Many naturalists, hikers, surfers, painters, and scientists know intimately the depths of the beauty, steadfastness, and magnitude of nature; some might even call the Creator “Nature" with a capital “N.” 

Wednesday is Earth Day— a day to get in touch with Nature. To contemplate our impact and connection with it. Earth Day was started in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson. It could be considered a Jewish holiday because it upholds the Jewish value of caring for and guarding the earth first given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

Beyond that, Judaism is constantly encouraging our connection with nature. We have prayers for the rainbow and thunder. We are instructed to only pray in synagogues with windows. We celebrate the holiday of Sukkot by dwelling outside for a week. We celebrate the birthday of the trees on Tu B’Shvat. We let the land lie fallow every seven years so it can refresh and replenish.

Every week, in fact, Jewish tradition encourages us to rest every seventh day. We must pay attention to the rhythms of the stars, and refrain from using and toiling in our work. It is a holiday that encourages us to reconnect with ourselves and others. Indeed many go for walks and contemplate the beauty of flowers, the coolness of the air, the blue hue of the sky. Nature is, indeed, a source of spiritual and physical life. So may it be a source of our renewal and rejuvenation as well.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

ACCESS JUDAISM CLASSES- NEW SESSION RUNNING NOW

Please join Rabbi Miller and a beautiful collection of people who are exploring Jewish learning through the inaugural experience of the Keeping It Sacred Signature Program: Access Judaism. Join for one class, one session, or all remaining classes!

Participants have shared:

"It was such a great group. It was an amazing start to my day. Looking forward to next week."

"It was a pleasure to study with you today. Reading and listening to others' views and understanding of God brings into light my perception of God."

"It was a wonderful class and it seems like it can only get better as we share and learn more about each other." 

"It’s exhilarating."

To register, please click on the images above, or the button below.

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

Keeping It Sacred's Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression, and what we can and should do about it-- from a Jewish lens.

Understanding the way racial injustice works is the first step in remedying the problems, taking us one step closer toward a world affirming of all. Let’s make 2021 a year of actively remedying racial injustice, a year of Tikkun Olam/repair of the world.

Schedule:

13th movie by DuVernay (IYYAR) Monday, 4/12, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

Caste by Wilkerson (TAMMUZ) Thursday, 6/10, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

How to be an Antiracist by Kendi (ELUL) Sunday, 8/8, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

The Color of Love by Gad (CHESHVAN) Thursday, 10/7, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

N**** Theory by Armour (TEVET) Sunday, 12/5, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

If you have further questions, or to introduce yourself, please don't hesitate to reach out 

to Rabbi Miller: rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com To sign up for our first session, click HERE. 

And, to watch 13th for free, click HERE. 

ACCESSING TALMUD STUDY

Our Talmud for All Daf Yomi program was noticed by the Jewish paper known as The Forward. Columnist Nomi Kaltmann focused on women's Talmud study in her article, "An Uptick in Women's Talmud Study- Courtesy of Zoom, Podcasts, and Online Tools," and included these words from Rabbi Miller:  

“The #MeToo movement lifted up women’s empowerment and affirmed our ability to do things for ourselves and go places previously restricted, especially the places restricted due to our gender,” she said.

Miller believes that for people wanting to access this most sacred and ancient text, there is one important thing to consider. “Remember that the magic happens when the words on the page describing the approaches to life situations inform your reflections about your own life,” she said. “Seeing the relevance of the ancient words of the sages breathes new life into the texts.”

Read the full article HERE:

473K COMMUNITY PARTNER

Bay Area Jewish communities have created the 473K Community. The name references the 473,000 people living in Bay Area Jewish households representing a rich diversity of abilities and ethnic, religious, racial, gender, and sexual identities. And the coalition recognizes that "very few of our 473K feel a meaningful connection to a Jewish community." The community created brings together "leaders of all kinds from across our Jewish landscape to explore how we can create more just and equitable Jewish communities – especially as we emerge from this year of collective trauma." Keeping It Sacred is proud to officially join this community to envision a more organically inclusive community. A place where folks belong. There will be a free conference May 4-6, 2021 called "473k: A Belonging Experience" to which all in the Keeping It Sacred community are invited. Please learn more HERE. 

DR. MELINA ABDULLAH 8-WEEK COURSE

One of the bright lights of the intellectual arm of the Black Lives Matter movement, Dr. Melina Abdullah, Professor of Pan-African Studies at Cal State Los Angeles, will offer an in-depth 8-week course dedicated to shifting power, privilege, and influence to support freedom for Black people.

Rabbi Miller writes, "I have known Dr. Abdullah for 6 years, and have been inspired by her expert analysis and strategic thinking. Dr. Abdullah is a phenomenal visionary and is deeply committed towards creating a world embodying the flourishing of Black folks, and by extension, all of us. Please join me in taking this class together- I'd love to engage in critical thinking with you. And let this amplify our work of Tikkun Olam/ Repair of the World."

Explore the course, which is being run by Social Venture Partners independent from Keeping It Sacred,  HERE. 

PEOPLE KEEPING IT SACRED

Our amazing Keeping It Sacred video editor, Molly Flanagan, has created some new spots of our Season 1 People Keeping It Sacred guests. Check them out below and be sure to watch the full episodes of People Keeping It Sacred HERE.

COUNTING OF THE OMER ON SOCIAL MEDIA

It is Jewish tradition to count for 49 days beginning on the second night of Passover (this year, 3/28). This counting of seven weeks of seven days each is called the Counting of the Omer. Practically speaking, it fulfills the biblical command in Leviticus 23:15-16 which says that we should count seven weeks when you bring the sheaf offering.

But spiritually, there is so much depth because the counting culminates in the holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates being given the Torah on Mt. Sinai. So, this special time of the year marks the transformation the Israelites made from enslaved individuals, to a unified people.

Jewish mystics called kabbalists further considered their understanding of the Divine, and the seven lower qualities they attributed to God. They then considered what it would be like to cross these seven lower qualities with one another and they ended up with a combination of two qualities per day of the Omer. 

For the past three years, Rabbi Miller has written reflections for each of these days. And, this counting of the omer will be back by popular demand this year-- on social media. So, check Rabbi Miller's @hearabbi account on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hearabbi/ or Rabbi Miller's personal Facebook page at facebook.com/rabbiheathermiller to read the reflections. And, please comment, question, like, and share!

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

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. Thursdays 11am PT/2pm ET.

Currently, we are 86 members strong from 20 different states and 4 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. 

To join and of these gatherings, please 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 daily HERE.

Why is the democratization of Talmud Study so important? View Rabbi Miller's lecture (delivered to Temple Israel of South Africa) HERE.

JEWS OF COLOR

Tuesday, May 11 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City, Bruce Phillips, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Jewish Communal Service, HUC/Los Angeles, Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., HUC President, Moderator-- when the Torah first calls us a People, coming out of Egypt, we are described as an erev rav, a “mixed multitude.” It’s time to refute the definition of Jews as a race – which has been used to justify antisemitism, violence, and even genocide – and adopt a definition of covenant as the foundation of Jewish peoplehood, one that embraces Jews of color and celebrates diversity and inclusion. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

CHAGALL AND THE BIBLE

Tuesday, June 8 at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET, Enjoy this Guest Lecture by Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, Dr. Bernard Heller Museum, HUC-JIR/New York. Marc Chagall was profoundly inspired by the Bible throughout his career, producing biblical works in a broad array of mediums, including paintings, etchings, sculptures, mosaics, tapestries, stained-glass windows, ceramics, and stage set designs. Discover how memories of his youth in Bitebsk, his 1931 visit to Palestine, the Russian Revolution, the Holocaust, his personal religiosity, and his admiration for the old masters informed his imagination to create uniquely modern visual interpretations of the core text of the Jewish people. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

WOMEN'S RABBINIC NETWORK CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

UPCOMING EVENTS:

iCal USER? 

If you use iCal and would like the complete Keeping It Sacred calendar added to your calendar, click the link at the bottom of the page HERE. This way you won't miss an opportunity to connect via our LIVE activities. 

EVERY DAY

Please enjoy our 7-episode web series and podcast: People Keeping It Sacred on YouTube HERE or on your favorite podcast player (like: Spotify  Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts). To learn more about Jewish holidays, check out our "A bit about... the holidays" 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.

EVERY WEDNESDAY: BLACK POWER

One of the bright lights of the intellectual arm of the Black Lives Matter movement, Dr. Melina Abdullah, Professor of Pan-African Studies at Cal State Los Angeles, will offer an in-depth 8-week course dedicated to shifting power, privilege, and influence to support freedom for Black people. This course is run by SVP, but Rabbi Miller and others from Keeping It Sacred will be enrolled, so please join us! Register HERE.

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/ 3:30pm Brazil time, 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

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, 4pm Brazil time, 7pm London time. Register for this program HERE.  

2021: ACCESS JUDAISM: ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES SESSION 2!

Please save the dates for accessible, relevant, and empowering Jewish learning! Classes will be held at 10am PT/1pm ET via zoom. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/11 The Intelligent Design of the Prayerbook

COMPLETED

4/18 Reform Renovations of the Prayerbook

COMPLETED

4/25 Rituals as Markers of Transition

Jewish ritual is meant to mark significant life transitions. See how Jewish lifecycle provide structure for living with sanctity. Learn also about contemporary rituals, like those for getting a COVID-19 vaccination, infertility, gender transitions, going into remission from cancer, and more. 

5/2 The Characteristics of a Good Jew

What are the characteristics of a good Jew? Learn about the Mussar movement and get an understanding of the spiritual legacy of mussar. Learn insights on humility, generosity and truth. Find inspiration to cultivate these qualities in your own life. 

5/9 Slam Poetry in the Golden Age

Medieval Spain birthed a Golden Age for the Jews. And, out of this era came a diverse array of poetry that is relevant today. From highly structured sacred praises of the Divine, to short quips about old age, to involved love poetry. Join us as we explore this vibrant literature.

5/16 Bad Theology: Terrible Explanations of Why the Righteous Suffer

Why do bad things happen to good people? We don't know. But we do know a bad explanation when we hear it. Join this class to begin to heal from spiritually corrosive explanations of your suffering, to learn how to best support a suffering loved one, and how to draw boundaries when someone shares an unhelpful word.

5/23 Siblings or Cousins?: Jews and Christians in the First Century

Did Christianity spring forth from Judaism? Or did contemporary Judaism and Christianity emerge together? Learn the roots of both and you decide: Siblings or Cousins or parent/child? We'll make proto-rabbinic Judaism fun and accessible! 

5/30 Before You Die Consider these Rabbinic Thoughts

What are the most important things to think about in life? What will we be held accountable for later? How can we live the best life possible? Learn from the wisdom that was shaped over millenia in the Jewish tradition. 

Please see keepingitsacred.com/accessjudaism and register for, one class, one session, or the whole program HERE. These classes are free with suggested donation of $25/class, $180/session, $300 for the entire program; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All are welcome!

*NEW! 5/4-5/6 473k: A BELONGING EXPERIENCE CONFERENCE

At the 473K Belonging Experience, we will co-create a new vision of Bay Area Jewish communities where everyone in our diverse population can find belonging during this time of crisis and beyond. As the newest community partners of the 473k Community, Keeping It Sacred community members are invited to attend the conference for free. Read more about this opportunity HERE. 

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEBREW UNION COLLEGE: CONNECT

5/11 Jews of Color

Tuesday, May 11 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City, Bruce Phillips, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Jewish Communal Service, HUC/Los Angeles, Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., HUC President, Moderator-- when the Torah first calls us a People, coming out of Egypt, we are described as an erev rav, a “mixed multitude.” It’s time to refute the definition of Jews as a race – which has been used to justify antisemitism, violence, and even genocide – and adopt a definition of covenant as the foundation of Jewish peoplehood, one that embraces Jews of color and celebrates diversity and inclusion. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

6/8 Chagall and the Bible

Tuesday, June 8 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, Enjoy this Guest Lecture by Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, Dr. Bernard Heller Museum, HUC-JIR/New York. Marc Chagall was profoundly inspired by the Bible throughout his career, producing biblical works in a broad array of mediums, including paintings, etchings, sculptures, mosaics, tapestries, stained-glass windows, ceramics, and stage set designs. Discover how memories of his youth in Bitebsk, his 1931 visit to Palestine, the Russian Revolution, the Holocaust, his personal religiosity, and his admiration for the old masters informed his imagination to create uniquely modern visual interpretations of the core text of the Jewish people. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW SERIES:

6/10 Caste

Thursday, 6/10 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Isabel Wilkerson's powerful book, Caste. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read Caste on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

8/8 How to Be An Antiracist

Sunday, 8/8 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Ibram X. Kendi's powerful book, How to Be An Antiracist. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read How to Be An Antiracist on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

10/7 The Color of Love

Thursday, 10/7 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Marra Gad's powerful book, The Color of Love. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read The Color of Love on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

12/5 N**** Theory

Sunday, 12/5 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Jody Armour's powerful book, N**** Theory. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read N**** Theory on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

6/6 WRN JUBILEE CELEBRATION

Sunday, June 6 at 2:30pm PT/ 5:30pm ET, Join the Women's Rabbinic Network and Rabbi Miller, who proudly serves on the Executive Board, to celebrate 50 years of women in the rabbinate! This part of the biannual convention, usually reserved for the 700+ Reform women rabbis around the world in the WRN membership, will be open to the public to enjoy. It will be held Sunday, June 6 at 2:30pm PT/ 5:30pm ET. If you'd like to attend, you may 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 sign up, too!

If you’d like to make sure that this kind of quality programming by

Keeping It Sacred continues, please consider making a donation via:

keepingitsacred.com/our-future

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...