Newsletter October 14th, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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So much gratitude for the entire Keeping It Sacred community who gathered for the high holy days-- we sang and read, studied and shared, asked ourselves hard questions and offered hopes for the year ahead.
Our incredible team made it all possible! Cantorial Soloist Rachel Rothman lifted up the most beautiful musical prayer offerings, including TWO heart-stirring numbers with her beloved Tracy Cox, an incredible vocalist in her own right, and co-leader of our Spiritual Gentleness Book Club. Kimberly Duenas again gave us precious opportunities to reflect on the past and build for our future. Digital Marketing Director Molly Flanagan and Tech Support Maven Tamir made sure our registration process, sound, and connectivity were working smoothly. Melissa de la Rama and our two kids were amazing hosts to our in-person folks, who also generously participated in the leading of the rituals. And every member of the community from around the world held space for one another, including themselves. It is so meaningful to know that our most fervent and sincere prayers are echoed across so many miles, connecting us all.
This was my 20th (!) year leading High Holy Day services and this year felt like the most cohesive, balanced, and heart-opening services of all. Perhaps it had something to do with the heart-breaking events of this past year. But, my spirit really appreciated all that we co-created together. And thank you for generously providing financial contributions to help cover the costs of creating these kind of spaces. We truly could not do it without your financial help as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
In the days since, we have received some beautiful reflections of appreciation for what we built together; and in that spirit I want to also share just one incredible reflection from one of our new members who participated, so that our entire community knows how powerful the gathering of community can be. Thank you for creating this transformative space..
"Just wanted to send a message of tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to join all of you these past couple of weeks. Including for your really meaningful services for Yom Kippur. Even from these brief experiences I have been able to take in what are maybe some of the most valuable gifts a spiritual community can offer: to feel seen and accompanied in my suffering, to feel guided and inspired around self-reflection and skillful action in the coming year, to feel a sense of hope (...wow, yeah, right now that feels huge…). It did not feel punishing or even somber to me — it felt serious and penetrating, but really beautiful and heartfelt, and coming from a place of love. I really loved your take on the beating of our chests being about awakening our hearts, and I really loved the aspect of communally taking on all of our harmful behavior as we each try to recalibrate towards more skillful action in this new year. There are aspects of joining you all that feel like a coming home (like a strong sense of these traditions very much flowing through me/being a big part of me even though I did not grow up observant). Alongside feeling like a newcomer-outsider I also have felt a deep sense of belonging with you all that is not common in most other spaces — it is nice to feel like I belong *because* I am a Jewish person and not in spite of that (of course not that you only welcome Jews), and it is nice to not have to question whether I am fully welcome as a queer person. Or as a person with my political beliefs or as a person with my religious beliefs. I am looking forward to future connections with you all, and I am today going to start the journey you have laid out in your book Resoulutions."
We did that. Together.
Together, we're #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred P.S. If you found meaning in the services we offered this year and would like to send in a financial contribution in honor of someone or some part of your experience, or, if you just want to make sure this community flourishes in this new year, please feel welcome and encouraged to do so at: keepingitsacred.com/our-future Thank you! |
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HIGH HOLY DAY SERMONS NOW POSTED! |
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Thank you for joining us for High Holidays this year! Please find the videos of Rabbi Miller's sermons here (and by clicking on the play buttons above and below). You may download a .pdf of each sermon HERE as well, or email Rabbi Miller for copies of them at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. You may also listen to our Podcast version of the sermons here. Thank you for sharing and commenting on social media, as well. |
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NOBODY WANTS THIS: SERIES REVIEW |
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Come discuss the Netflix series Nobody Wants This with the Keeping It Sacred community! We will talk about themes, cultural portrayals, story arcs (and more!) portrayed in this romcom between a rabbi and podcaster. With special guest star Madelyn Friedman (who played a Jewish camper in episode 5)! Tuesday, 10/15 at 6pm PT/9pm ET. RSVP here: All are welcome! |
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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.
Our next meeting is: October 20th at 9am PT/ 12pm ET. REGISTER HERE!
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SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB |
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Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining the new KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy. The SGBC will explore books in bi-monthly meetings, with topics and discussions centered on the questions that arise for those who are new to Judaism. With a collaborative approach to book discussion, we envision this book club as a place to make new friends, have nuanced and meaningful discussions, and deepen our relationships with Judaism. Our next session will meet today, October 21st at 2:30pm PT | 5:30pm ET, register here. We will be Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz! And Rabbi Miller will join us this week. Enjoy this amazing work and let's talk soon! |
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Join us October 25th at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET for Simchat Torah Shabbat! In this special service we will dance again with the Torah in honor of Simchat Torah. Rabbi Miller will lead as Max Winer will be away at a conference and sad to miss it. All are welcome to join us in person or online. Register HERE. |
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Love literature? A new KITS Literary Club is forming led by, and for, our members. A place to share, create and analyze all things written word. If interested, please contact Digital Marketing Director Molly Flanagan for information on the initial meeting at mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com. |
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CHESHVAN ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW |
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At Keeping it Sacred, we observe Rosh Chodesh, the start of each new month, with a Racial Justice Book Review. Each month we examine new material. September 5, we begin a new book: We Refuse, by Kellie Carter Jackson-- see her on CBS talking about this book HERE-- we are excited! (And bonus: she was a professor of our own Molly Flanagan when a student at Wellesley College!) REGISTER HERE! Check out dates below for upcoming Rosh Chodesh where we will review We Refuse: 11/7 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan: Chapter 1 12/5 Rosh Chodesh Kislev: Chapter 2 1/2 Rosh Chodesh Tevet: Chapter 3 1/30 Rosh Chodesh Shevat: Chapter 4 2/27 Rosh Chodesh Adar: Chapter 5
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LULU.com is having their holiday sale, and Rabbi Miller’s book, RESOULUTIONS: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair is 15% OFF with discount code: BOOKSGIFTS15 Get it HERE. |
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SOCIAL JUSTICE IN OUR TEXTS: “STUDY BREAK” WITH LAASOK |
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Immigration. Climate change. Marriage equality. LGBTQ+ inclusion. Voting and civic engagement. Respect for fellow human beings. What does Judaism teach us about creating a just society? Each month, September through June, we will take a one-hour “study break” to learn about an aspect of social justice in Jewish texts. This series is being taught by a variety of wonderful teachers, and will meet on Monday afternoons (3pm ET / noon PT) throughout the year. Organized by LAASOK, the liberal Beit MIdrash (“House of Study”). This program is co-sponsored by a number of organizations, including LAASOK, Keeping It Sacred, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, and Kirva. Register at laasok.org/current-offerings/#justice |
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NEW WORKBOOK ABOUT FINANCES |
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Rabbi Miller was proud to help advise authors Gabriela Lanza and Annie Hamilton in the creation of their new workbook for couples about finances called United We Spend. Rabbi Miller writes: “I highly recommend this workbook to guide couples through an intentional approach to talking about money. The questions are thoughtful and program is designed to bring couples a greater feeling of unity around this important topic.”
The workbook is available HERE https://www.unitedwespend.co/ and is offered at 25% off because of the partnership with Rabbi Miller and the Keeping It Sacred Community. Simply use the discount code PARTNERS25 at checkout. Taking a mindful approach to money matters. |
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HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY |
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JOIN our healing circle holding space for all looking for prayers for healing. This and EVERY THURSDAY -- at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET. *NOTE FOR THE FUTURE: Due to Rosh Hashanah, our 10/3 Healing Circle and Talmud Study will be postponed until the following week (10/10). Please gather with us for Rosh Hashanah and all our High Holy Day programming. Information HERE. 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. |
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LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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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! If you are a subscriber, you are a member! We have no membership dues! |
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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, 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. Brazil time/ 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 10/17 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. 10/17 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. 10/20 CREATIVITY CLUB 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 at 9am PT|noon ET. REGISTER HERE. 10/24 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. 10/24 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. 10/25 SIMCHAT TORAH SHABBAT Join us for Shabbat — Rabbi Miller will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last FriIn this special service we will dance again with the Torah in honor of Simchat Torah. Rabbi Miller will lead as Max Winer will be away at a conference and sad to miss it. All are welcome to join us in person or online. Register HERE. 10/31 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. 10/31 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. 11/3 CREATIVITY CLUB 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 at 9am PT|noon ET. 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... |
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We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to join us, too! |
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