NEWSLETTER, July 13, 2020

SHALOM!

When you look back on the past, does it trap you? Hold you back? Or is it something that you learn from, or even celebrate? This past Thursday, the Jewish people marked the beginning of the time known as "the Three Weeks"-- a time that remembers the falling of and eventual destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem that took place over 2,000 years ago. The 17th of the month of Tammuz marks the day when the walls of the Temple were breached, and the 9th of Av commemorates the utter and complete destruction of the Temple.

 

Framed one way, we can mournfully wail about the fall of the sacred dwelling place of God. Framed another way, we can appreciate that we have triumphantly survived as a people well beyond the empire that ransacked the Holy Mount. How we look back at the past helps us find ourselves today and prepares us for the future.

 

When you feel stuck, chained by events that took place in your past, consider the frame that you are giving that time in your life. How can you free yourself of any negative feelings from that time, and instead ground yourself in your strength today?

 

Your history does not singularly define you. There is much more to come in the future, and it is bright. 

 

Thank you for #keepingitsacred…

YOUTUBE INTERVIEW: SACRED STORIES

This past week, Rabbi Jessica Marshall released an episode of her new podcast featuring Rabbi Miller called: Sacred Stories: Heartfelt Conversations Elevating Spirit & Blessing the Journey. Rabbi Marshall is a wonderful soul healer, empowering spiritual advisor and wise rabbi based in Denver, Colorado. To view the episode, click here. 

View Interview

RABBI MILLER'S BOOK CLUB

Last night, Rabbi Miller hosted a book review of New York Times Best Seller, When They Call You a Terrorist by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. The memoir is an eye-opening account of the disparity in the way policing is done among various communities, how the role and budget of the law enforcement has ballooned in the past decades, and how a broad-based movement for justice is birthed by real people with real families and real love. No wonder Oprah Magazine named it one of the “10 Titles to Pick Up Now.” 

 

There is one more chance to gather together to discuss the issues that the book raises including exploring systemic racism and considering how we can change a system that for too long has denied the dignity of swaths of humanity. Dignity is among the highest human values as we learned that denying dignity is akin to killing a person (like killing their soul), and we all know that saving a life is the highest value.

 

Please join us for our last and final meetup based on the memoir:

When They Call You A Terrorist

by Black Lives Matter co-Founder, Patrisse Cullors 

August 9 at 10am PT

 

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, and how we can engage in tikkun olam.

Sign Up Here

HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KEEPING IT SACRED

They're coming-- the High Holy Days! And, we will soon announce our plans to honor this most sacred time of year. Invitation coming soon...

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, on Parashat Matot-Masei, Numbers 30:2 - 36:13, can be found this week on Reform Judaism's website HERE:

Torah

CLASSES ON RESTORING YOUR SOUL: RE(SOUL)UTIONS ELUL CLASS

Join us as we read Rabbi Miller's book, Re(Soul)utions: 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. 

Register

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!

CLICK HERE to purchase RE(SOUL)UTIONS!

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.

CLICK HERE to sign up for the Online Course!

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.

 

CLICK HERE to request to join the 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- NEW TIME!

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 NOW AT 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 6:30pm London-time. 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.

 

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 LAST CHANCE!!! Please join us. 

Contact rabbiheathermiller.com/contact to request details.

 

THURSDAY, 7/9 ELUL INSIGHTS FOR THE LA BOARD OF RABBIS

In this program for the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, Rabbi Miller will offer the opportunity for rabbis to reflect upon our past year: encouraging our metamorphosis, claiming our space, redefining the challenges we face, and expanding our relationships. which features readings for each of the days in the month of Elul. If you are a member of the Board of Rabbis, please contact the Board of Rabbis for details. If you're not a member of the Board of Rabbis, consider joining us for the four Sunday session Elul Count (see below) or email rabbiheathermiller.com/contact for 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)utions: 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. 

 

HIGH HOLY DAYS 2020/5781

Please save the dates for us!

 

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

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27068 La Paz Rd. #781 Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
818-312-8388

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