It certainly was a Passover to remember! It is not everyday that I co-lead a seder with the extremely talented Grammy-winning musical artist Joanie Leeds, with participants aged 4 to 94 across 6 time zones and 3 continents, all co-sponsored by three affirming and love-filled church communities: All-Saints Church of Pasadena, Laguna Neighborhood Congregational Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Santa Margarita Stake. 

The message of the seder certainly came through clearly: that this is a holiday meant to sensitize us to human suffering, and inspire us to recommit to ensuring liberation for all who are oppressed. 

Our participants are working on the issues of human trafficking, the rise in white supremacy, increasing diversity in higher education, ensuring economic sustainability for marginalized communities, ending bigotry and bullying, building safe and diverse communities, providing safe and affirming spaces for those in the LGBT community, eliminating police brutality,  and beautifying the world through art. 

May all of these holy works that we are working on and more bring about a flourishing of freedoms for all who are currently constricted. 

Truly, together, we’re #keepingitsacred...

Rabbi Heather Miller, 

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

OPEN DOOR PASSOVER SEDER

Check out this clip of this year's Passover Seder led by Rabbi Miller and Grammy WINNING Artist Joanie Leeds -- all faiths and ages participated!

A few comments/what people said:

"Thank you for this beautiful afternoon invitation open to many faiths ... so appropriate to the season and our current cultural experience!"

"We are all inspired from Our Rabbi Heather🙏"

"Joanie, you sing with such uplifting spirit!"

"😃 Thank you Rabbi Miller! And, 😃 Joanie Leeds! Today’s event was WONDERFUL! Hoping for more events with Rabbi Miller and Joanie Leeds leading together."

"Such a warm feeling of community!"

"I appreciate being able to join this welcoming community for this Seder. Thank you for the invitation and the company."

"It was one of the best seders I have ever attended!"

"The Passover Seder service was beautiful and I liked how you and Joanie made it flow seamlessly!"

"Thanks to Molly as well for posting all of the information in the chat for everyone to follow along!"

"Thanks for facilitating such a rich time together (like wow, those questions and answers people gave)!"

"Today was very uplifting!"

"Rabbi Miller, I so enjoyed your presentation of the meaning for the sacred Seder Dinner. You are such an upbeat, enthusiastic spirit, and one who is truly devoted to your beliefs. I learned a lot."

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

PROPHETIC VOICES: RENEWING AND REIMAGINING HAFTARAH

Rabbi Miller is featured twice in this forthcoming commentary on the lectionary of Prophetic readings known as the Haftarah Readings published by the Reform Movement's publishing house, The CCAR Press. You may Pre-Order the work HERE. 

ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW

Rosh Chodesh celebrates the start of the Hebrew calendar month marked by the new moon. It is a time to reflect and think about what new energy we want to bring into the month ahead.

This past year, the world began to awaken to the devastating impact of America’s relationship to racism. We have seen how the dignity of human life has been violated time and time again. The message of Judaism is clear: each life is sacred and infinitely valuable. A reflection of the Divine, in fact. And so, such inhumanity is regarded as an affront to the Creator.

The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression.

Understanding the way racial injustice works is the first step in remedying the problems, taking us one step closer toward a world affirming of all. Let’s make 2021 a year of actively remedying racial injustice.

Schedule:

13th movie by DuVernay (IYYAR) Monday, 4/12, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

Caste by Wilkerson (TAMMUZ) Thursday, 6/10, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

How to be an Antiracist by Kendi (ELUL) Sunday, 8/8, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

The Color of Love by Gad (CHESHVAN) Thursday, 10/7, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

N**** Theory by Armour (TEVET) Sunday, 12/5, 3pm PT/ 6pm ET

If you have further questions, or to introduce yourself, please don't hesitate to reach out 

to Rabbi Miller: rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com To sign up for our first session, click below. 

GRIT: A PASSOVER POEM

Planted on Tu B’Shvat,

ready to harvest on Passover.

Green and fresh and

delicate, intricate leaves conceal

a hearty story.

Of a life buried

in the soil.

Grown with grit and

with perseverance and with hope.

Now table ready.

Ritually dipped in the perennial

saltwater tears of our people.

To serve the purpose

of inspiring

all who feel buried,

constricted.

abandoned;

to remind all

of the miracle of

renewal.

MAZAL TOV!

A hearty Mazal Tov to our very own Dr. Martina Giselle Ramirez, who, this week, was officially recognized as Leah Tamar bat Helen (TOP LEFT), officially a  member of the Jewish people! It was a pure delight to be able to hear about your impressions of the process and to celebrate you in the community of deep learners that we have built in our weekly Talmud Study group. Mazal Tov to you and to us!

COUNTING OF THE OMER ON SOCIAL MEDIA

It is Jewish tradition to count for 49 days beginning on the second night of Passover (this year, 3/28). This counting of seven weeks of seven days each is called the Counting of the Omer. Practically speaking, it fulfills the biblical command in Leviticus 23:15-16 which says that we should count seven weeks when you bring the sheaf offering.

But spiritually, there is so much depth because the counting culminates in the holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates being given the Torah on Mt. Sinai. So, this special time of the year marks the transformation the Israelites made from enslaved individuals, to a unified people.

Jewish mystics called kabbalists further considered their understanding of the Divine, and the seven lower qualities they attributed to God. They then considered what it would be like to cross these seven lower qualities with one another and they ended up with a combination of two qualities per day of the Omer. 

For the past three years, Rabbi Miller has written reflections for each of these days. And, this counting of the omer will be back by popular demand this year-- on social media. So, check Rabbi Miller's @hearabbi account on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hearabbi/ or Rabbi Miller's personal Facebook page at facebook.com/rabbiheathermiller to read the reflections. And, please comment, question, like, and share!

WOMEN'S RABBINIC NETWORK CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

Rabbi Miller proudly serves on the Executive Board of the Women's Rabbinic Network. This year, 2021, marks 50 years since the ordination of Rabbi Sally Priesand, the first woman rabbi in the American Reform Movement, and wow will we celebrate! The convention (held every two years) is reserved for the 700+ Reform women rabbis around the world in the WRN membership, but the Jubilee 50th Year Celebration will be open to the public. It will be held Sunday, June 6 at 2:30pm PT/ 5:30pm ET. If you'd like to attend, you may pre-register here. 

ACCESS JUDAISM CLASSES- NEW SESSION BEGINS APRIL 11TH!

Please join Rabbi Miller and a beautiful collection of people who are exploring Jewish learning through the inaugural experience of the Keeping It Sacred Signature Program: Access Judaism. Join for one class, one session, or all remaining classes!

Participants have shared:

"It was such a great group. It was an amazing start to my day. Looking forward to next week."

"It was a pleasure to study with you today. Reading and listening to others' views and understanding of God brings into light my perception of God."

"It was a wonderful class and it seems like it can only get better as we share and learn more about each other." 

"It’s exhilarating."

We will begin Session 2 begins on 4/11! To register, please go to: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY 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 86 members strong from 20 different states and 4 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. 

To join and of these gatherings, please send Rabbi Miller an email or DM on Facebook to be added to the closed, secret Facebook group and/or the weekly text study group. And look for us on Instagram daily HERE.

Why is the democratization of Talmud Study so important? View Rabbi Miller's lecture (delivered to Temple Israel of South Africa) HERE.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HUC CONNECT

Join us as we learn from Sara J. Bloomfield, Director, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on Thursday, April 15 at noon PT/ 3pm ET. How will Holocaust history and memory be sustained and transmitted in perpetuity? Learn about the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s impact in preserving the evidence, educating diverse audiences, fighting antisemitism, and preventing genocide, as we honor Sara J. Bloomfield with HUC’s highest humanitarian award, the Roger E. Joseph Prize. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.  

JEWS OF COLOR

Tuesday, May 11 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City, Bruce Phillips, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Jewish Communal Service, HUC/Los Angeles, Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., HUC President, Moderator-- when the Torah first calls us a People, coming out of Egypt, we are described as an erev rav, a “mixed multitude.” It’s time to refute the definition of Jews as a race – which has been used to justify antisemitism, violence, and even genocide – and adopt a definition of covenant as the foundation of Jewish peoplehood, one that embraces Jews of color and celebrates diversity and inclusion. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

CHAGALL AND THE BIBLE

Tuesday, June 8 at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET, Enjoy this Guest Lecture by Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, Dr. Bernard Heller Museum, HUC-JIR/New York. Marc Chagall was profoundly inspired by the Bible throughout his career, producing biblical works in a broad array of mediums, including paintings, etchings, sculptures, mosaics, tapestries, stained-glass windows, ceramics, and stage set designs. Discover how memories of his youth in Bitebsk, his 1931 visit to Palestine, the Russian Revolution, the Holocaust, his personal religiosity, and his admiration for the old masters informed his imagination to create uniquely modern visual interpretations of the core text of the Jewish people. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

iCal USER? 

If you use iCal and would like the complete Keeping It Sacred calendar added to your calendar, click the link at the bottom of the page HERE. This way you won't miss an opportunity to connect via our LIVE activities. 

EVERY DAY

Please enjoy our 7-episode web series and podcast: People Keeping It Sacred on YouTube HERE or on your favorite podcast player (like: Spotify  Google Podcasts, Apple + Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, and PocketCasts). To learn more about Jewish holidays, check out our "A bit about... the holidays" 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.

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. 10:30am PST/ 1:30pm EST/ 3:30pm Brazil time, 6:30pm London-time. Register for this program HERE. 

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

Our Facebook group will host our next virtual meetup via zoom. For the link to attend this meeting Thursdays 11am PST, 2pm EST, 4pm Brazil time, 7pm London time. Register for this program HERE.  

2021: ACCESS JUDAISM: ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES SESSION 2!

Please save the dates for accessible, relevant, and empowering Jewish learning! Classes will be held at 10am PT/1pm ET via zoom. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

4/11 The Intelligent Design of the Prayerbook

Stand up. Sit back down. Skip 23 pages ahead. Go back. What is with the prayer service? You might be surprised to know there is actually a brilliant order to the service. In just one hour, get a sense of the intelligent design of services, and open up a new way to understand Jewish spiritual practice. 

4/18 Reform Renovations of the Prayerbook

Home renovation shows feature flippers stripping old, outdated homes down to the bare bones only to rework them into beautiful sanctuaries of living. This is essentially what the Reform Rabbis of the early 19th century did to the prayerbook. Learn how they did it thoughtfully, and about the important practice of updating ritual that continues today.

4/25 Rituals as Markers of Transition

Jewish ritual is meant to mark significant life transitions. See how Jewish lifecycle provide structure for living with sanctity. Learn also about contemporary rituals, like those for getting a COVID-19 vaccination, infertility, gender transitions, going into remission from cancer, and more. 

5/2 The Characteristics of a Good Jew

What are the characteristics of a good Jew? Learn about the Mussar movement and get an understanding of the spiritual legacy of mussar. Learn insights on humility, generosity and truth. Find inspiration to cultivate these qualities in your own life. 

5/9 Slam Poetry in the Golden Age

Medieval Spain birthed a Golden Age for the Jews. And, out of this era came a diverse array of poetry that is relevant today. From highly structured sacred praises of the Divine, to short quips about old age, to involved love poetry. Join us as we explore this vibrant literature.

5/16 Bad Theology: Terrible Explanations of Why the Righteous Suffer

Why do bad things happen to good people? We don't know. But we do know a bad explanation when we hear it. Join this class to begin to heal from spiritually corrosive explanations of your suffering, to learn how to best support a suffering loved one, and how to draw boundaries when someone shares an unhelpful word.

5/23 Siblings or Cousins?: Jews and Christians in the First Century

Did Christianity spring forth from Judaism? Or did contemporary Judaism and Christianity emerge together? Learn the roots of both and you decide: Siblings or Cousins or parent/child? We'll make proto-rabbinic Judaism fun and accessible! 

5/30 Before You Die Consider these Rabbinic Thoughts

What are the most important things to think about in life? What will we be held accountable for later? How can we live the best life possible? Learn from the wisdom that was shaped over millenia in the Jewish tradition. 

Please see keepingitsacred.com/accessjudaism and register for, one class, one session, or the whole program HERE. These classes are free with suggested donation of $25/class, $180/session, $300 for the entire program; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All are welcome!

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEBREW UNION COLLEGE: CONNECT

4/15 Reflections on the Significance of Holocaust Memory

Join us as we learn from Sara J. Bloomfield, Director, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on Thursday, April 15 at noon PT/ 3pm ET. How will Holocaust history and memory be sustained and transmitted in perpetuity? Learn about the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s impact in preserving the evidence, educating diverse audiences, fighting antisemitism, and preventing genocide, as we honor Sara J. Bloomfield with HUC’s highest humanitarian award, the Roger E. Joseph Prize. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

5/11 Jews of Color

Tuesday, May 11 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City, Bruce Phillips, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Jewish Communal Service, HUC/Los Angeles, Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., HUC President, Moderator-- when the Torah first calls us a People, coming out of Egypt, we are described as an erev rav, a “mixed multitude.” It’s time to refute the definition of Jews as a race – which has been used to justify antisemitism, violence, and even genocide – and adopt a definition of covenant as the foundation of Jewish peoplehood, one that embraces Jews of color and celebrates diversity and inclusion. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

6/8 Chagall and the Bible

Tuesday, June 8 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, Enjoy this Guest Lecture by Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, Dr. Bernard Heller Museum, HUC-JIR/New York. Marc Chagall was profoundly inspired by the Bible throughout his career, producing biblical works in a broad array of mediums, including paintings, etchings, sculptures, mosaics, tapestries, stained-glass windows, ceramics, and stage set designs. Discover how memories of his youth in Bitebsk, his 1931 visit to Palestine, the Russian Revolution, the Holocaust, his personal religiosity, and his admiration for the old masters informed his imagination to create uniquely modern visual interpretations of the core text of the Jewish people. Special discussion to follow. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Register at: huc.edu/HUCConnect and to get the link to the discussion afterwards, be sure to cite Keeping It Sacred as the Synagogue/Organization.

4/12 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW: 13th

Monday, 4/12 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Ava DuVernay's powerful film 13th. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please watch 13th on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

6/6 WRN JUBILEE CELEBRATION

Sunday, June 6 at 2:30pm PT/ 5:30pm ET, Join the Women's Rabbinic Network and Rabbi Miller, who proudly serves on the Executive Board, to celebrate 50 years of women in the rabbinate! This part of the biannual convention, usually reserved for the 700+ Reform women rabbis around the world in the WRN membership, will be open to the public to enjoy. It will be held Sunday, June 6 at 2:30pm PT/ 5:30pm ET. If you'd like to attend, you may register here. 

6/10 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW: Caste

Thursday, 6/10 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Isabel Wilkerson's powerful book, Caste. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read Caste on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

8/8 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW: How to Be An Antiracist

Sunday, 8/8 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Ibram X. Kendi's powerful book, How to Be An Antiracist. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read How to Be An Antiracist on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

10/7 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW: The Color of Love

Thursday, 10/7 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Marra Gad's powerful book, The Color of Love. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read The Color of Love on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1

12/5 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE REVIEW: N**** Theory

Sunday, 12/5 at 3pm PT/6pm ET, join us as we discuss Jody Armour's powerful book, N**** Theory. The Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Review will provide structured space to explore the nature of systemic racism from top thinkers, and help us to reflect upon the ways we participate in, and are impacted by systems of oppression. Please read N**** Theory on your own, and come ready to discuss. Register for the discussion, facilitated by Rabbi Miller, at 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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Thank you for #keepingitsacred...