Rabbi Sally Priesand says that Albert Einstein used to say, "Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous." Today is Labor Day in the United States, and it just so happens that today's page of Talmud prominently features the ethics of how to treat laborers! Specifically, servers.

1,500 years ago, the rabbis were discussing how their lives were in danger when they smelled delicious morsels that were passed in front of them. The discuss a dish of mushrooms, and one of vinegar. Mmm... The rabbis explained that they needed to eat these delicious dishes, as their lives would be in danger if they didn't. They understand the human experience of cravings and hunger and what it feels like to want food.

And so, they empathize with those who serve them food-- they seek to spare servers endangerment from seeing delicious food and not being able to partake in the meal.

Some of the rabbis allow the servers to eat some of each of the dishes served. Some allow only some dishes from a meal to be tasted. Some allowed their servers to eat after the meal was served; others allowed the servers to eat before the meal was served.

There could have been a lengthy debate over the ethics of eating in front of others. But, then: enter Elijah. Always an advocate for the needy, and exemplary at exhibiting compassion especially to the poor, he shows up on the page to weigh in on the array of practices. And what are we told?

"With regard to the one (rabbi) who gave it to him (the server) earlier, Elijah spoke with him. But with regard to the one (rabbi) who gave it to him (the server) later, Elijah did not speak with him."

We learn that Elijah clearly favored the rabbis who allowed their servers to eat before the shift. This way, the servers wouldn't be tortured with the aromas of delicacies and hunger pains as they worked. There is no debate following. It is clear that this level of compassion should be extended to waiters.

This incident with Elijah the prophet encourages us to exhibit these kinds of empathetic ethics to all who toil.

Elijah's example encourages us to ask: What would worker justice look like in the medical worker sector, the hospitality industry, grocery workers, education, etc? Today is a day to think about how the ethical principles taught in the Talmud, might apply today.

Who do we employ? How are they treated? What is their lived experience like? How are they honored and how is their humanity elevated with meaningful and rewarding work? How can we make it so?

For more information on the restaurant sector, check out the Restaurant Opportunities Center, an advocacy organization for over 500,000 low-wage restaurant workers, winning increases to minimum wage pay, health policy, training and tips. And please consider supporting organizations working for worker justice near you.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

ELUL BOOK CLUB WITH RABBI MILLER

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutidons: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

PLUS: View our DAILY Elul posts of inspiration and insight, excerpted from the book, on instagram HERE and HERE.

HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KEEPING IT SACRED

Please SAVE THE DATES to enjoy a complete High Holy Day Season with Keeping It Sacred this year. Together, we will Honor the most sacred days in the Jewish Calendar.

Our theme this season is "Gathering for Goodness." Like the fringes on the tallit, we gather up our loved ones, our memories, our unique gifts, and from there flows goodness.

We consider: What kind of goodness is needed in the world today? What is the goodness that I can uniquely offer? Who and what needs to be brought together to make it happen?

Join us for comprehensive communal experience with insights from Rabbi Miller, music from Cantorial Soloist Elizabeth Lange, reflective space with Kimberly Dueñas from Jewtina y Co., a youth experience & tashlich LIVE from the beach with Jeffrey Silverstein, and so much more! 

Please mark your calendars for:

9/2, 9/9, 9/16, and 9/23 Elul Book Club 1pm PT/4pm ET

9/25 Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder @5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET

9/26 Rosh Hashanah @10am PT/ 1pm ET

9/27 Second Day Rosh Hashanah with Jewtina Y Co. @3pm PT/6pm ET

9/30 LIVE from the Beach a Youth experience, Tashlich, and Shabbat Services starting @4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET

10/4 Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei Service @530pm PT/8:30pm ET

10/5 Yom Kippur @10am PT/1pm ET

10/5 Yizkor Memorial Service noon PT/3pm ET 

10/5 Neilah/Havdallah @6pm PT/9pm ET

What people say about our services:

"Such a warm feeling of community."

"Rabbi Miller, you are such an upbeat, enthusiastic spirit,and one who is truly devoted."

"Thank you for this wonderful experience. As always, my heart is full!" 

Keeping It Sacred programs are FREE for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated. Invite your friends and family! Register HERE.

A BIT ABOUT...THE NEW YEAR!

Learn more about the Jewish New Year with this episode of our web series on the holidays called "A Bit About...The Holidays." In this episode, Rabbi Miller shares insights on the symbols, customs, and values of these most sacred Days of Awe. Check it out HERE.

ENCOURAGING INCLUSIVE PLAY

Cherished Keeping It Sacred member, Carol Rachel Kurz honors the memory of her daughter, Adina z"l, each year with a run/walk & roll to raise funds for inclusion for children with disabilities. They have reinvented the paradigm of play by designing inclusive playgrounds and providing free outreach and educational programs that bring children with and without disabilities together through the powerful act of play. What a powerful way to honor Adina and children everywhere! Kol HaKavod to Rachel. And, to join us in supporting or joining the team, please click HERE.

ORCHIDS OF INSPIRATION

Keeping It Sacred Master Gardener, Natalie Goldston, recently began the practice of sharing a selection of her stunning orchids each week during our Healing Circle. Members have commented how stunning they are and how it is a moment each week to honor and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. A moment of hope and healing, indeed! Thank you, Natalie, for bringing this kind of spiritual encouragement to the group. To join the Healing Circle, please click HERE.

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

THIS THURSDAY AND 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 100 members strong from 31 different states and 9 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. 

Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated.

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.

Our own Rabbi Miller recently shared THIS reflection on Ketubot 56 entitled: Next Level Intimacy. Enjoy it here: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ketubot-56/

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.

9/8 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Healing 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. 

9/8 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.  

9/9 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/15 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Healing 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. 

9/15 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.  

9/16 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/22 HEALING CIRCLE

Join us as we gather every Thursday for a Healing 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. 

9/22 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.  

9/23 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/25 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder

9/25 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET (75m) Celebrate the birth of the world by breaking bread together as one beautifully diverse human family. Please register for this program: HERE. 

9/26 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Rosh Hashanah Day I

10am PT/ 1pm ET(75 min) Celebrate the birth of the world in gathered community. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/27 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Rosh Hashanah Day 2

3pm PT/5pm ET (75 min) Gain the tools needed for spiritual growth with Kimberly Dueñas & Jewtina y Co. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/29 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. 

9/29 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.  

9/30 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Youth Service, Tashlich, Shabbat Services

4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET LIVE from the beach in California, join Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein in person or via LIVESTREAM for a special Youth-oriented High Holy Day service, followed by Tashlich leading into Shabbat Services. Gather in community and sing, pray, dance, schmooze. Start the year with spiritual renewal. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/4 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Kol Nidrei/Erev Yom Kippur

5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET (75 min) Enter into the holiest day of the year with the soul-work of reflection and repair. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Day

10am PT/1pm ET (75 min) Focus on the texts, melodies and actions needed to rejuvenate the soul in community not bound by geographic limitations. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Yizkor Remembrances 

noon PT/3pm ET (75 min) Gather in community to remember loved ones we have lost but hold dear in our hearts this and every year. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Ne'ilah & Virtual Break-the-Fast

6pm PT/9pm ET (60 min) Rejoice in the conclusion of the day. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/28 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 10/28 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...

GIFTS TO KEEPING IT SACRED

All of us at Keeping It Sacred would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to each and every person who has extended a financial gift to the KITS community this past year. You power the work and ensure that quality relevant & empowering programming and resources remain accessible for all regardless of economic capacity. 

If you like what we're doing and would like to make a meaningful gift in this new year of any amount, please visit our contributions page at:

keepingitsacred.com/our-future

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...

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We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to join us, too!