When I work with bnai mitzvah students, I remind them that as old as our tradition is, no one like them ever read Torah before and therefore they have something unique to share. They have their own lens they apply to the sacred text. They have their own thoughts and opinions. This is part of what makes each person so precious. 

Tradition tells us that the Torah was revealed to each person according to their own understanding. And really, revelation occurs continually. Every time sacred books are cracked open, the light shines and we can bask in it. 

In fact, in the 19th century, the Ba’al Shem Tov related that revelation occurs repeatedly each time people study. It wasn't just something that happened a long time ago. And, revelation comes complete with the sounds of the shofar, lightening and thunder, like at Mt. Sinai. We just need to merit being sensitive to it to perceive it. If treat study as a sacred act of Divine insight and connection, it will be.

Yesterday, I officiated the naming for a precious new child in the world. She represents the renewal of the revelation as she will have her own understanding of the tradition and, one day, choose whether and if so, how, to carry it forward.  

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of my beloved grandmother, Fruma Kit Endler, z”l, for whom Keeping It Sacred (KITS) is named. Her read of the tradition is what inspired this community. The lens through which she viewed tradition was one full of joy and appreciation, gratitude and love. For her, every time she read texts, decorated the home, or made foods, she was amazed. And she celebrated Hanukkah 100 times, but she was never bored with it. She sat at Passover seders for 100 years, and each time, she delighted in the stories. She embodied zerizut (the mussar principle of enthusiasm). Perhaps this is why she lived so long. For her, God and our family ancestors, were present and good. They were rooting for us. Every morning she received this revelation and she lived it each day. 

Today, we learned of a new death anniversary to add to this date, June 10. The great Rev. James Lawson, may his memory be a blessing, passed early this morning (photo of me with him at this year's MLK Remembrance Day observance). He was a deeply spiritual person, reading the (Christian) bible as a document mandating justice and honor to all. He, together with The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (another inspired person), were giants of justice based on their understanding of what the Bible required of each of us. Specifically, with regards to their understanding of how we are each are responsible to and for each other, and how a commitment to nonviolence was the moral way forward. And so, we learn that revelation is not limited to members of the Jewish community. Anyone can be an inspired person, filled with the Universal Spirit of Love and Connection. 

Tuesday is the holiday of Shavuot— my grandmother’s Hebrew calendar birthday. And another opportunity for us each to receive revelation no less significant than that which Moses experienced on Sinai. Join us if you’d like to study in community! We will participate with other member communities of the Union for Reform Judaism to bring you continuous Torah study throughout Shavuot. Register HERE. Revelation is right there. As you study, listen for the sound of the shofar. 

This is how we are keeping it sacred... 

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FRUMA KIT ENDLER, Z"L

From Rabbi Miller:

"Early this morning, our own dear member, Corinne in the country of Mauritius, sent me a photo of a beautiful flower surrounding a candle. She lit it in loving memory of my nana, Fruma Kit Endler, z"l. Today marks the 4th anniversary of her death. And it reminded me of a critically important function of community-- to hold the memories of the loved ones of one another.

Much of the pain of the death of a loved in centers on the incredible responsibility of preserving their memory. But a great gift to give a mourner is the proof that the memory is shared. That the honor is carried in part by those around. This is what makes community and it is a beautiful feature.

This reminds me to let you know that we do have an official yahrzeit list for Keeping It Sacred. If you would like to share the name and the anniversary date of the loved one's death, send it to me via email at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com, and I will be sure to add it to our list. We take anniversaries and birthdays, too!

Some congregations require a donation to accompany the listing, and you may choose to send it in, if you wish. But, this list, which we read month by month at our Shabbat Services, is here to let you know that you are not alone in your grief. We are with you. Thank you for being here with me."

WELCOME YISRAELA SIMCHA

What a JOY and DELIGHT to officiate the baby naming of this precious one! Her big sister welcomed her to the world with a compelling rendition of Three Little Birds, as she clapped along. Family and friends lifted her up for blessing, and her cousins showered her with gifts. This was the latest blessing for this amazing family for whom I have officiated 2 weddings, 3 namings, and 1 housewarming. This is a rabbis’ dream to have these kinds of connections over time. Welcome to the world, Yisraela Simcha- we have been waiting for you!

JOIN US AND OUR FRIENDS FOR SHAVUOT

It is Torah O’Clock Somewhere! Join us for the 4th annual Virtual TIkkun Leil Shavuot. God gave us Torah at Mount Sinai, but we also each receive it everyday in each moment that we engage with our tradition. Join our collaboration of small URJ congregations as we offer a night of free study sessions and service options - to mark Shavuot on Tuesday, June 11 - Wednesday, June 12. Come for one session or stay all night (or join in the morning!) enjoying teachings from a wide range of teachers on a variety of topics.

Rabbi Miller will be teaching at 11pm Pacific Tuesday, June 11/2am Eastern Wednesday June 12 on "In the Mix: Great Love Stories in honor of Loving Day"-- Loving Day in the United States; a day to celebrate the legalization of interracial marriage. Shavuot is a day to celebrate the covenantal "marriage" of the mixed multitudes of the Jewish people and God. In honor of both, we will explore some of the great (mixed) love stories in Jewish sacred texts where partners come from very different places to the benefit of the Jewish people.

Register HERE: https://urj.tfaforms.net/901?id=701UG000007Dqnz

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

Shalom! Our next KITS Creativity Club will conclude our series highlighting Jewish artists by exploring the work of Joanne Topol: a living painter who lives and works in Pasadena, CA! Joanne is a long-time friend of mine, and I proudly have several of her geometric abstracts on my walls. Joanne has her PhD in genetics, and ultimately segued from science to art. We will look at her colorful paintings as inspiration for our own abstract art. Bring your bright colored markers, paints, and pencils and join us!! 9-10 am PST/12-1 pm EST, June 16, 2024. To see Joanne’s art, go to: @topolj (instagram) Sign up here!

SUMMERTIME SHABBAT

June 28, REGISTER HERE for Summertime Shabbat! 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. 

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. Please RSVP for both at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming and if you’d like to join in person, please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com for details.

TAMMUZ ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of beginning each month with a new vision of racial justice. Tammuz Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: July 5th 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET. Register here! We are reading Grieving While Black by Breeshia Wade. And mark your calendar for upcoming dates:

• Tammuz Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: July 5, Chapter 8

• Av Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: August 8, a special session on the intersection of antisemitism with racism, links will be provided.

• Elul Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review: 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!)

PRIDE PARADES ACROSS THE COUNTRY!

Another weekend, another PRIDE parade! From Los Angeles to Boston, our own Rabbi Miller and social media manager, Molly Flanagan, attended pride celebrations over the weekend. See posts HERE and HERE! Send us your photos of PRIDE!

THE GRAND OPENING OF THE MULTI-FAITH PRAYER SPACE AT LAX!

The Multi-Faith Prayer Space at Los Angeles International Airport is OPEN!! Rabbi Miller had the pleasure of joining colleagues to bring a 6+ year dream to fruition. There is now a space in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (by gate 130) to gather, reflect, and meditate. Her remarks are included here, and check out our Facebook post here and Instagram post here. May this sacred space support many on their epic life journeys through the corridors of LAX, and beyond!

RELIGIOUS PLURALISM HUMANITARIAN SOLIDARITY DAY

Last week at the top of Los Angeles’ City Hall, interfaith leaders gathered in celebration of the Day of Religious Pluralism. The event was hosted by City Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Park, and the LA Civil Rights Commission, and celebrates the won’t-quit spirit of Angeleno Interfaith Mutual Respect. Proud of the deep solidarity work we have done together and excited for the future together. Capri Maddox, ED of LA Civil Rights offered some poignant words with further remarks from Rabbi Aryeh Cohen of the Black Jewish Justice Alliance, and USC Dean of Spiritual Life, Varun Soni.

RABBI MILLER CONCLUDES HER WRN BOARD MEMBERSHIP

After serving the Women’s Rabbinic Network (WRN) for five years as Secretary and then as Membership and Outreach Vice President, Rabbi Miller will conclude her board service.

She shares, 

“Serving on the WRN board these past five years has been an incredibly rewarding experience. There has been so much change in our movement, especially with regard to the reckoning of past gender based wrongs committed. The WRN has advocated in forums across our movement for the immensely complex work of teshuvah/repair. We have also advocated for family and medical leave policies that benefit people of all genders trying to care for themselves or loved ones. And we have created safe spaces for gathering and supporting one another’s pursuits. All of these efforts have helped the Reform movement align its actions with its values.

As Secretary, I worked to organize our files and keep diligent records of our conversations about these important matters. And as Membership and Outreach Vice President, I applied our Keeping It Sacred “global yet also hyper local“ approach to the WRN. I worked closely with our assistant executive director Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman to launch opportunities to gather as the global community that we are, and simultaneously encourage local meetings with colleagues around the country.  We also encouraged excitement about the WRN among students at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in partnership with our student liaison, Yael Farber. And, of course, we worked hard to ensure a high percentage of membership renewals, year-over-year.

My efforts that spanned the five years of my board membership included my work, in partnership with others, to update our bylaws, expanding the inclusion of non-binary and gender queer identified rabbis to our membership. It was incredibly meaningful work to serve this global, visionary organization and I am excited for the new leadership that is emerging.”

VIRTUAL FINANCIAL WORKSHOP FOR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

KITS members Avi and Shiffy Crane are hosting a complimentary Virtual Financial Workshop for LGBTQ+ community, their families and friends on June 25 at noon PT | 3pm ET. To register, scan the QR code above, or, visit the link here.

PRENTIS HEMPHILL’S WHAT IT TAKES TO HEAL BOOK TOUR!

Check out the Prentis Hemphill Book Tour for What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World: prentishemphill.com/book.  Packed with chapters encouraging spiritual transformation to change the world.

JOSEPH’S INKWELL WRITING CONTEST

Joseph's Inkwell is a Jewish, student-run writing competition. Our mission is to strengthen the Jewish Teen voice and create a space to display philosophical, narrative, personal, informational, academic, or creative works. Submissions are due August 1st, click here for information.

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.

And this Thursday, we will hold space for the long journey of healing the four hostages who were rescued this week will face, and also comfort for the grieving families of the IDF commander who was killed in the operation, along with the loved ones of the 274 Palestinians killed and 698 Palestinians injured in the operation.

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.

*Please note we will not be meeting July 4th.

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.

AND, join us for the festivities as we conclude the reading of Tractate Bava Metzia on June 27th at noon! Register at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. (see below!)

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!

AND: MAZAL TOV to our whole community! If you are a subscriber, you are a member! We have no membership dues! AND today we welcomed our 800th Subscriber-- WELCOME, Barbara!

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.

6/11-6/12 COMMUNITY TIKKUN LEIL SHAUOT

It is Torah O’Clock Somewhere! Join us for the 4th annual Virtual TIkkun Leil Shavuot. God gave us Torah at Mount Sinai, but we also each receive it everyday in each moment that we engage with our tradition. Join our collaboration of small URJ congregations as we offer a night of free study sessions and service options - to mark Shavuot on Tuesday, June 11 - Wednesday, June 12. Come for one session or stay all night (or join in the morning!) enjoying teachings from a wide range of teachers on a variety of topics. Register HERE: https://urj.tfaforms.net/901?id=701UG000007Dqnz

6/13 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. 

6/13 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.  

6/16 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! 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 HERE.

6/20 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. 

6/20 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.  

6/25 QUEERING YOUR FINANCES

KITS members Avi and Shiffy Crane are hosting a complimentary Virtual Financial Workshop for LGBTQ+ community, their families and friends on June 25 at noon PT | 3pm ET. To register, scan the QR code above, or, visit the link here.

6/27 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. 

6/27 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.  

6/27 SIYYUM TRACTATE BAVA METZIA

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 for this program here!

6/28 SUMMERTIME SHABBAT: 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. Register here!

6/30 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! 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 here!

7/5 TAMMUZ ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

This is our way of ending each month with a new vision of racial justice. 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET. We are reading chapter 8 of Grieving While Black by Breeshia Wade. Register for this program HERE. 

7/11 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. 

7/11 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.  

7/14 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! 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 HERE.

7/18 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. 

7/18 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.   

7/25 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. 

7/25 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.   

7/26 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. Register here!

7/28 CREATIVITY CLUB

Every other Sunday at 9am PT | noon ET! 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 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!