SHALOM!

My maternal grandmother, Fruma "Kit" Endler, lived 100 years, two weeks, and one day. She died surrounded by love a week ago today. But what made my nana's life remarkable was not in the length of the time she spent here on earth, even as it was over a century. It was remarkable because of the way she lived life. People have written to me about how she delighted in the fun that other people had. In their success. That she knew that a smile was a show of love. She put profound truths into succinct thoughts. And she marveled at the depths of human creativity. One person concluded her note to me that it was clear to her that Nana's was an example of a "life well lived." The kind we each aspire to live.

We found a video of a song she wrote 4 years ago which she called "Find the Dreamer in You."

Lyrics:

If you let dreams lead you, you can do anything,

If you let dreams lead you, you'll find joy,

Look deep inside yourself, and find that dreamer,

Find the laughter in your mind and let laughter lead you to your happiness,

Without laughter, you are dead,

There are many kinds of happiness, that's what life is all about,

Find what makes you happy, enjoy it and pass it along.

In the recording she concluded by saying, "I like the ending, pass it along so it's never dead." That is what she did-- she shared her joy and magnified it in the world. Nana was always there with a bit of wisdom, a smile, and an encouraging word for everyone she met. 

Over the course of the year of mourning ahead of me, I will lift up her name and lift up her life. I will look for the love and the laughter and the joy as she encouraged, and follow that; and especially, I will continue the principles of access, relevance and the kind of sacred empowerment that she encouraged and that are the cornerstone of Keeping It Sacred.

As you know, this endeavor is dedicated to inspiring, uplifting, and empowering people to live their most sacred lives. We are a new organization that addresses an old question: how do I live a life of purpose and meaning? We are looking to respond to the unique challenges and opportunities of our times, experimenting with online community building and engagement. 

But what you may not know is that Keeping It Sacred uses the acronym “KITS” in honor of my grandmother, Kit, who always infused a sacred kind of empowerment which infused a deep sense of joy into all of our interactions with her. In her home, everyone had a place at the table, and all were invited to discover the sacred parts of life through ancient practices and wisdom. In her home, my soul was encouraged and nourished by teachings that were fortifying, relevant, and meaningful. And it is our mission at KITS to pass it along.

Thank you for #keepingitsacred

RABBI MILLER LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB

Rabbi Miller will host a book club to discuss two books addressing systemic racism, and will share connections to ancient Jewish texts that apply.

We will discuss:

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

June 21 at 7pm PT, and

June 28 at 10am PT

When They Call You A Terrorist by Black Lives Matter co-Founder, Patrisse Cullors 

July 12 at 7pm PT and

August 9 at 10am PT

Book Club participants should plan to attend one of the two sessions for each book.

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

Whether you can make it or not, please visit rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to sign up to our mailing list for future opportunities to explore other works critical to our understanding of the world around us today.

CAMP QUEERANTINE

This week, Rabbi Miller will speak with the community of the virtual summer camp called Camp Queeranteen-- an interfaith camp for kids in the LGBTQ+ community.  The camp includes 153 campers, cabin counselors and helpers from around the world. The theme of the camp this summer is "Trailblazing." Rabbi Miller has been selected to share thoughts on "Crossing the River: Addressing the Challenges Along the Way." Rabbi Miller will share challenges and also sources of spiritual strength that fortified her along her path with hopes of encouraging teens to identify their source of strength and to keep building from there.

JUNETEENTH WEBINAR AND FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION

Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the date when word came to Galveston, TX that the Emancipation Proclamation had, two years prior, emancipated slaves in America. In honor of this date, the Jewish Forward will host a Jewish Conversation about Juneteenth hosted by The Forward Editor in Chief Jodi Rudoren in conversation with Rabbi Sandra Lawson, a chaplain at Elon University in North Carolina, and Tema Smith, a contributing columnist at The Forward. 

The Jewish conversation about Juneteenth which promises to provide frameworks for consideration. Friday, June 19, 9am-10am PT/ noon-1pm ET.

Register Here:

https://forward.com/culture/448675/june-19-a-jewish-conversation-about-juneteenth/

Following this conversation, Rabbi Miller will host a private follow-up conversation with Subscribers to the Keeping It Sacred newsletter. Bring your thoughts, impressions, and questions to this important conversation. 10am-11am PT/1-2pm ET.

Contact Rabbi Miller for Zoom information by Thursday 1pm PT at rabbiheathermiller.com/contact.

TALMUD OF THE WEEK

We continue our DAILY study of the Talmud, a work produced over 1500 years ago! This study is called Daf Yomi (a page a day) and we are seeking out the modern meaning, relevance and values on each page. 

Click on the image below to be taken to Rabbi Miller's original Daf Yomi #Talmudgrams on Instagram and click on the individual photos you like for gems from the text. Don't forget to like, share, and comment! You don't need an Instagram account! You can also find these on Facebook here.

Let us invite you to study the page a day within our own private, sacred Facebook group called Keeping It Sacred- Daf Yomi Group. You will need an invitation to join, so please email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to participate. We'd love to study with you!

Our closed, secret Facebook group also meets every Thursday after the Healing Circle to discuss the week's texts. Join us! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and passcode. 

TORAH OF THE WEEK:

Happy new week! The reflection on this week's Torah Portion, Korach, Numbers 16:1 - 18:32, called "Rebellion" can be found by clicking HERE:

RE(SOUL)UTIONS ELUL COUNT

Join us as we read Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)unions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair in the month of Elul.

The book is written with one sacred text and a prompt for each day of the week of Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days. Jumpstart your introspection this year, a year when so many of us are rethinking what is important in life. 

Clear out the energy of the year 5780 and prepare for the year 5781 with renewed sense of self and resolve to act in alignment with our values.

Rabbi Miller will lead a four session class-- 9am PT/noon ET on Sundays, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, and 9/6. For more information contact Rabbi Miller by messaging rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. 

ACCESS MORE LEARNING HERE

1) Purchase Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair.

"As a rabbi, I'm always looking for new ways to reinterpret the power of the month of Elul. As we head toward the High Holy Days and the theme of starting fresh with a clean slate, a guided text like ReSOULutions is perfect for starting the conversation. This text is clearly written, beautifully arranged, and thoughtfully presented in a way that allows the reader - at any level of knowledge or experience - to connect with their inner soul, and with their personal mission to improve their life. Highly recommend!"

-Rabbi Jeffrey Astrachan

"Having spent much of my professional life serving as a congregational cantor, I always gravitate toward opportunities to get my spiritual “batteries” recharged as preparation for the High Holy Days. I found RESOLUTIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR SELF REPAIR, by Rabbi Heather Miller to be an important, exceedingly rich guide, written thoughtfully and accessibly, filled with true soul enrichment. This is a perfect way to enter the month of Elul, with an excellent step by step, day by day guide with delectable soul food along with daily new details to stimulate our intellect. A new MUST for the High Holy Days, and/or year round. Will join the ranks of seasonal Jewish classics!"

-Cantor Shula Kalir-Merton

Click here to purchase for just $8.99!

2) Take the Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair online course!

This is a five-session class and can be used before, after or in conjunction with reading the online book.

Purchase includes access to the five-session course portal, handouts, and audio teaching files. PLUS, all subscriptions before June 15 will receive a complimentary 1-hour spiritual counseling session with Rabbi Miller at no additional charge. After purchase email her at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com to set up a time to meet.

Learners will:

• Understand the importance and origins of self-review in the Jewish tradition
• Sense encouragement as you begin your path to self-repair
• Begin to identify a vision for your truest expression of yourself
• Feel empowered to claim that version of yourself
• Overcome obstacles that hold you back from flourishing as your true self
• Increase awareness of the importance of this work
• Commit to repeating this practice regularly in life
• Enjoy guidance from the wisdom of the Jewish tradition all along the way!
   

Click here to purchase.

3) Study with us on our closed, secret and FREE facebook group!

We continue our DAILY study of the Talmud, a work produced over 1500 years ago! This study is called Daf Yomi (a page a day) and we are seeking out the modern meaning, relevance and values on each page. 

We are 64 members strong from:

Los Angeles, New York, Canada, Colchester Essex England, 2 in Las Vegas, Orange County, San Diego, 2 in SF, Upstate NY, 2 in Minnesota, 2 in Iowa, 2 in Wisconsin, Washington State, 2 in Indiana, Missouri, Maryland, Vermont, Florida, 2 in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 2 in Virginia.  

We are:

Professors of Jewish studies

People interested in becoming Jewish

Members of various Jewish denominations as well as transdenominational

Some are Reconstructionist Rabbis

Reform Rabbis

Jewish Professionals

Reform Cantors

Retired people

People of other faiths

We are in our 20s to 80s

We are everywhere on the spectrum of gender.

And, we are each of us are affirming of one another’s journey in the sea of Talmud! Plus, we enjoy meeting in real time via zoom every Thursday at noon PST/ 3pm EST/ 8pm Londontime.

To join us, send Rabbi Miller an email or DM on Facebook to be added to the closed, secret Facebook group.

SHABBAT SINGALONG

The Shabbat Singalong program for kids (and kids at heart) will now be featured ON SHABBAT-- Saturdays at 9am! Join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for songs, Hebrew learning, a Torah story, and space to express gratitude. Contact Rabbi Miller at rabbiheathermiller.com/contact for the link and passcode!

LIVE/VIRTUAL UPCOMING EVENTS:

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. Please request a meeting by contacting her at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com.

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 11:30am PST/ 2:30pm EST/ 7:30pm Londontime. Contact rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and password.

EVERY THURSDAY: KEEPING IT SACRED-DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP

As noted above, our Facebook group will host our next virtual meetup via zoom. For the link to attend this meeting Thursdays noon PST, 3pm EST, 8pm London time, please contact Rabbi Miller directly at rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com. 

EVERY SATURDAY: SHABBAT SINGALONG 

NOW ON SATURDAYS, at 9am PST, noon EST, 5pm Londontime, join Rabbi Miller and her mini-mes for an uplifting kid-friendly Shabbat Singalong. Pick up some Hebrew vocabulary and get in touch with gratitude in community! Email rabbiheathermiller@gmail.com for the link and password.

FRIDAY, 6/19: FOLLOW UP CONVERSATION ABOUT JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the date when word came to Galveston, TX that the Emancipation Proclamation had, two years prior, emancipated slaves in America. In honor of this date, the Jewish Forward will host a Jewish Conversation about Juneteenth hosted by The Forward Editor in Chief Jodi Rudoren in conversation with Rabbi Sandra Lawson, a chaplain at Elon University in North Carolina, and Tema Smith, a contributing columnist at The Forward. 

Join us for a Jewish conversation about Juneteenth which promises to provide frameworks for consideration. Friday, June 19, 9am-10am PT/ noon-1pm ET.

Register Here:

https://forward.com/culture/448675/june-19-a-jewish-conversation-about-juneteenth/

Following this conversation, Rabbi Miller and Keeping It Sacred will host a private follow-up conversation with Subscribers to the Keeping It Sacred newsletter. Bring your thoughts, impressions, and questions to this important conversation. 10am-11am PT/1-2pm ET.

Contact Rabbi Miller for Zoom information by Thursday 1pm PT at rabbiheathermiller.com/contact.

SUNDAYS, 6/21, 6/28, 7/12, and 8/9: RABBI MILLER'S BOOK CLUB

Rabbi Miller will host a book club to discuss two books addressing systemic racism, and will share connections to ancient Jewish texts that apply. We will discuss:
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

June 21 at 7pm PT,

and June 28 at 10am PT

When They Call You A Terrorist by Black Lives Matter co-Founder, Patrisse Cullors

July 12 at 7pm PT and

Augist 9 at 10am PT

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

SUNDAYS, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30 and 9/6: RE(SOUL)UTIONS: ELUL COUNT

Join us as we read Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)unions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair in the month of Elul.The book is written with one reading and introspective prompt for each day of the week of Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days. Jumpstart your introspection this year, a year when so many of us are rethinking what is important in life. Clear out the energy of the year 5780 and prepare for the year 5781 with renewed sense of self and resolve to act in alignment with our values. Rabbi Miller will lead a four session class--9am PT/noon ET on Sundays, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30, and 9/6. For more information contact Rabbi Miller by messaging rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. 

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 rabbiheathermiller@gmail.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

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