Newsletter November 27, 2023 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... |
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There is a phenomenon that scholar and Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion Professor Rabbi Larry Hoffman once explained as a bike wheel. He likened the spokes to delineating religious divisions, with each religious group’s members in their own wedge. But then he noticed that those in the part of their own wedge closest to the hub, were closer together in proximity to those also near the hub but in the next wedge, than they were to those in the same wedge but further out by the rim of the wheel. This explains the feeling we get when progressives across religions feel closer to one another than we do to extremists in our own tradition (on the outer part of our own wedge). This explains the way that progressive Israeli Jews and Arabs can feel closer to one another ideologically than to the extremists in either of their faith traditions. Many of these progressives working with one another to ensure peace and justice in the Holy Land.
Yesterday, I joined with our KITS Community ideological partners at All Saints Church in Pasadena to serve on a panel with their rector, The Rev. Mike Kinman, and Salam Al-Marayati, founder of the national organization Muslim Public Affairs Council to discuss the events of October 7, and what came before it and what came after. Our gathering got some press which you can find HERE. During our discussion, Salam, whose name means peace, shared a beautiful vision of the world he (and we) are working for. A world that affirms the freedoms that create human security: -Freedom of worship -Freedom of expression -Freedom from fear -Freedom from want My contribution to the topic included reflections on peace makers in Israel, and various organizations that are working together across religious, ethnic, and national lines, but not getting much U.S. media attention. For example, Standing Together is an organization based in Israel/Palestine that brings Muslims and Jews together to stand for a just and fair peaceful solution to the conflict. To spread their message, they have made posters sharing messages of peace from those directly affected by recent violence in the region. You may choose to print out and display them in your area (the organization has requested we post these outside of Israel only, please). See those HERE. People aligned for peace and truth and justice and compassion are joining together everywhere for goodness. The extremists of our groups often get the press, but there is good work being done by people keeping it sacred everywhere. May we know this and may it be the spark of our hope. Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
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TODAY! Interested in exploring a modern Jewish take on spirituality, values, and community? You are invited to three part Our A Taste of Judaism® online course designed for you! We will begin next on November 27, 2023 at 1pm PT | 4pm ET, and will continue the 3-part series on December 4th and December 11th. Come and learn! If you have always wanted to learn more about Judaism but haven't been sure where to start, this is the opportunity for you. Encounter the big ideas and texts that make up Judaism's rich tapestry. A Taste of Judaism® provides an open door to community, connection, and meaning. Everyone is welcome. Whether you are in an interfaith relationship, raising Jewish children, a spiritual seeker, considering conversion, or curious about Judaism, this class is for you! A Taste of Judaism® is designed to be a safe and affirming place for you to explore, regardless of where you are on your journey with Judaism. We affirm individuals and couples from all backgrounds and are LGBTQIA+-friendly. A Taste of Judaism® assumes no previous Jewish knowledge and is taught by Rabbi Heather Miller, known for her open, affirming, and joyful approach. Register for one or all sessions at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming |
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Update: we have 8 new subscribers! Please consider subscribing today. Would you like to help Keeping It Sacred expand its capacity to spread more love, compassion, connection, and learning in the new year? If so, please join our SUBSCRIPTION CHALLENGE-- we are hoping to earn the monthly support of 20 new subscribers at any meaningful level to sustain and expand our work.
Your generous support helps Keeping It Sacred:
Unlock access to learning the wisdom of ancient texts Create an open, authentic, and empowered community Build connections with interfaith family members, neighbors & friends Create a courageous community that brings about positive social change
Visit our web page keepingitsacred.com/our-future to say YES to subscribe with a recurring monthly contribution. AND, to THANK YOU for your monthly recurring subscription, you will get not one but TWO gifts from our beloved KITS Community Members: -the new zine (artistic, informative magazine) called The Grieving Imperative written by Jethro Heiko, expert on grief and trauma in individuals and communities, and -a handmade original Thank You card by our KITS Creativity Club members. To subscribe, please go to keepingitsacred.com/our-future and be sure to click on the "monthly" option. Thank you for your support! |
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THE GRIEVING IMPERATIVE ZINE: IN CONVERSATION |
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TOMORROW! Explore the process of grieving as individuals and as a community with grief specialist Jethro Heiko. His 25 years of grief work has yielded some reflections that are sure to offer new insight into the path of the mourner. Find new ways to honor grief as a transformative force Bring an open heart and your questions. This session will not be recorded. Register through our calendar HERE. |
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Please join us for a joyful celebration of the newest Hanukkah miracle: the 9th night celebrated as: A Miraculous Hanukkah Reprise December 15, 2023 join us at 5:30pm PT /8:30pm ET for an extra special online and in-person celebration of candle lighting, songs, stories, and celebration! RSVP for this epic night of miracles at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming Also: Are you going to be in the Los Angeles area this night? If you’d like to join us in person please email info@keepingitsacred.com so we can give you the details. |
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Please send a few photos of a favorite menorah and the city you represent to Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com, so we can share them and our love for the Festival of Lights- on social media. Include a story, favorite memory, or other fact about the menorah you share. And may this be a meaningful Festival of Lights with feelings of connectedness across the world for all! |
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CYBER MONDAY SALE ON RABBI MILLER'S BOOK |
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CYBER Monday Sale TODAY! Lulu.com is giving you 30% Rabbi Miller's book (both the e-book and paperback version), ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide for Self-Repair. Use code: TWINKLE30 at checkout for this and other books they offer. A GREAT read right before the new year! Find the book HERE, and enjoy! |
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Amazing Keeping It Sacred member, Casey, recently was in Los Angeles from their home state of North Carolina and found some time to meet up with Rabbi Miller for breakfast at Factor's Deli. The pair enjoyed coffee and reflections on the state of the world. An amazing way to start the day and week! |
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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. |
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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 sessions are led by beloved KITS community members Sheryl Aronson and Wendy Stiver. The next gathering will be December 3rd. 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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ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW |
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At the start of every Hebrew calendar month, we take time to focus on our work for racial justice through the Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review. We are currently exploring the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Interim Report linked HERE. Register HERE to join the discussion and make a difference. |
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We've got some new reviews of our wedding services on The Knot and Wedding Wire. Check out these two (above). For more on our wedding services, please see: keepingitsacred.com/weddings. |
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ICAL USER? JOIN OUR CALENDAR TO SEE OUR EVENTS! |
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If you use the calendar App, iCal, on your Apple device(s) 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. Or, to add it manually, go to your Apple device’s “Calendars,” then go to “Add Subscription Calendar,” and paste the following URL: webcal://p164-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/MTAwNTkyMDg4MjcxMDA1OQR0fuSCoir8-IUKE7Pl_mtLL6wCWL8UsFQl0SOGOutaVvSGypiGpw8QpGzN3GB97CHqafkuA4hx2U97b43we1c and add! You will receive updates to the calendar by “allowing notifications” too! |
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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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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. 11/27 TASTE OF JUDAISM, Part 1 1pm PT/4pm ET, Come and learn! If you have always wanted to learn more about Judaism but haven't been sure where to start, this is the opportunity for you. Encounter the big ideas and texts that make up Judaism's rich tapestry. A Taste of Judaism® provides an open door to community, connection, and meaning. Please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming 11/28 GRIEVING IMPERATIVE WITH ZINE CREATOR, JETHRO HEIKO 10am PT/1pm ET, Explore the process of grieving as individuals and as a community with grief specialist Jethro Heiko. His 25 years of grief work has yielded some reflections that are sure to offer new insight into the path of the mourner. Find new ways to honor grief as a transformative force. Please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming 11/30 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. 11/30 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. 12/04 TASTE OF JUDAISM, Part 2 1pm PT/4pm ET, Come and learn! If you have always wanted to learn more about Judaism but haven't been sure where to start, this is the opportunity for you. Encounter the big ideas and texts that make up Judaism's rich tapestry. A Taste of Judaism® provides an open door to community, connection, and meaning. Please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming 12/07 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. 12/07 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. 12/11 TASTE OF JUDAISM, Part 3 1pm PT/4pm ET, Come and learn! If you have always wanted to learn more about Judaism but haven't been sure where to start, this is the opportunity for you. Encounter the big ideas and texts that make up Judaism's rich tapestry. A Taste of Judaism® provides an open door to community, connection, and meaning. Please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming 12/15 A MIRACULOUS HANUKKAH REPRISE 12/15, join us at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET for an extra special online and in-person celebration of candle lighting, songs, stories, and celebration with Rabbi Miller, Max Winer, and YOUR KITS Community! RSVP for this epic night of miracles at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming 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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