Newsletter June 19, 2023 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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Keeping It Sacred is a multiracial community committed to the unwavering pursuit of social justice and a radically inclusive ethic. So what does that mean in terms of our practice? How do we turn our ethics into action? This is a critical question in an age where corporations can virtue signal with lovely mission statements and glossy advertisements that include a diverse set of models, but then who exploit workers around the globe. Today is Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom from the racist institution of chattel slavery. It is an important day (as is everyday) to ask ourselves deep questions about the work we are doing to advance freedom from racial and related bigotries in our own lives and the lives of our communities. Every industry has questions that are deeper indicators of commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, among other questions: Film studios can ask if the identities of creatives is reflective of the identities of the population. Coffee companies can ask how the beans are sourced and transported. Clothing brands can ask about the labor conditions of its workers. Schools can ask about the way redirection of behavior is administered. The real estate industry can ask about the kinds of loans they privilege. Politicians can ask if the policies they promote impact people differently along racial lines. Doctors can ask about the reasons behind drastically different mortality rates for patients according to race. The hospitality industry can ask about fair pay practices and opportunities for career advancement for all employees. And religious communities? What measurement should we concern ourselves with? Are we affirming of the voices and feedback of all of our members, not only the white members of our programs? How does our membership policy serve to account for race, gender, class, and other privilege? In what ways are we encouraging members to explore their own relationship with privilege? How are we supporting our members’ actions in dismantling white supremacy and the systems of power it relies on? What opportunities are we providing for our membership to take intentional, principled risks in their professional and personal lives that shift the imbalance? What organizations are we partnering with and how are we honoring their work? When engaging in campaigns, are we taking credit or are we lifting up the communities who have been working in the issues for decades before we got there? How are we building a communal culture that doesn’t default to white or Ashkenazi cultural norms? Etc. etc. There are so many ways we can exercise our moral responsibility of tikkun olam/healing the world from the plague of racism and other kinds of social injustice. But as Rabbi Tarfon used to say (in the Mishnah Pirkei Avot 2:16): "It is not your duty to complete the task but neither are you free to not try." In other words: this is a giant task and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the pervasiveness of the problems. But we must engage in the work. We must do what we can in our own little corner of the world to bring the whole thing back into balance. Together, our work can bend the ark of history toward justice. So, here’s one of many invitations we extend: join us tomorrow at 9am PT/noon ET as we share what intentional personal, professional and communal risks we are taking to level the power imbalance. This is part of our ongoing work (which we began three years ago), committing to beginning each new Hebrew calendar month (Rosh Chodesh) with a personal and communal exploration of these and other questions through our Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review (register HERE). We have educated ourselves with resources that exist in the community and helped support our progress toward alignment of our personal and communal values and actions. In our review of the reading material, we have unlocked deeper understandings of the pervasiveness of racial bias, and supported one another in the ways we each individually are acting to change the dynamic. This is but one way we are aligning our values with our action. Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW |
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TOMORROW! 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 session begins 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 |
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CCAR BOOK: PROPHETIC VOICES |
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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. |
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BALANCING YOUR INNER LIFE: DUTIES OF THE HEART |
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TODAY! 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! These classes began today 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 |
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TORAH FOR OUR TIMES: A SOUTH AFRICAN-LED TORAH STUDY |
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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 that takes place at (NOTE THIS NEW TIME! MANY APOLOGIES FOR THE PREVIOUS MISPRINT) 7:30am PT/ 10:30am ET every Thursday through August. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming. |
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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 |
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This show was incredible- highest praise to artist Abbey Golden for her stunning show “The Golden Age of Fluidity”- on the intersections gender and motherhood, and the depths of identities that exist past, present and future all at once. It all resonated so so deeply. Kol HaKavod! All due respect! Angelenos- check it out! Through July 29th at 5225 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles. |
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A PRAYER FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY |
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Various congregations have contacted Rabbi Miller during PRIDE month letting her know that this prayer that she wrote was used in their PRIDE Shabbat Service. It was originally written for the interfaith prayer service held prior to Los Angeles Pride Parade. The prayer memorializes those who have employed the various ways individuals can and have made a difference in promoting justice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. It can be used in interfaith services of all kinds as well as in synagogues anytime the struggles of those seeking equality are remembered. Check it out HERE: https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/prayers-blessings/remembering-where-we-come-prayer-lgbt-community |
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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. |
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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. 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. This past week, cherished member Sue Parker Gerson wrote on Gittin 23: Voice Recognition. Check it out HERE. |
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COMING SOON: KITS FAMILY EDUCATION! |
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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: |
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Founder Rabbi Heather Miller is the founder of Keeping It Sacred, and an author,, advocate, and spiritual leader. She has been a Jewish educator for over two decades and has designed comprehensive curricular content for various religious schools, a day school and graduate school. She was ordained in 2008 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, and hails from an interfaith, interracial, international family. |
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Director of Family Learning and Engagement: Chavva Olander has worked in Jewish education for over two decades primarily in religious school communities serving as B’nai Mitzvah Tutor, Classroom Instructor, Curriculum Developer, and Director of Education, and also designing programming for non-traditional educational settlings. She expects to receive her MA from CSU Long Beach at the end of 2023. |
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Curricular Consultant: Jason Kim-Seda earned his Doctor of Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University, and has more than two decades of teaching experience in independent schools. His expertise is in identity development among multiracial students, and helping leaders promote a sense of belonging for members of BIPOC communities. |
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Director of Digital Marketing: Molly Flanagan is Keeping It Sacred's talented Digital Media Manager. Molly is a Wellesley College graduate who majored in Film Studies. They produce our teaching materials, webcasts & podcasts, social media, and help participants with program registration and all things technical with warmth and skill. |
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KITS CONFIRMATION CEREMONY |
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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 |
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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! |
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PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR WORK |
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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! |
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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, 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 6/19 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 7:30am PT/ 10:30pm 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 7:30am PT/ 10:30pm 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 7:30am PT/ 10:30pm 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 7:30am PT/ 10:30pm 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... |
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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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