How do you foster love in a hate-trending nation? That’s a question I was recently asked by one of our readers. A very appropriate question to address following the Fourth of July weekend, and the president’s speech, which was delivered on sacred Native American tribal lands at Mt. Rushmore, and fanned the divisive flames of hatred among our citizens. Do we meet hatred with more hate? No. Only love can overcome hate. Fittingly, in Jewish numerology which adds up the letters of a particular word to equal a number, the word associated with the unique power of God, ONE (echad), is 13. And, the word for LOVE (ahavah) is also 13. The relationship here shows that the power of God is love in the world. And love is truly more powerful than anything. Keeping that in mind gives us hope and fuels our commitment to drive out the darkness of hatred in the world with the light of hope. Despair is not an option. In fact, the great-great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass, Isidore Douglass Skinner, in a video posted on social media via npr.com this weekend, told viewers that “pessimism is a tool of white oppression.” We must uplift hope in trying times if we are to truly overcome hatred. To get there, we can follow Jewish proscriptives for tackling challenges in our lives. First, we can engage in tzimtzum— this is the activity that the kabbalists said God did before creating the world-- God took a step back to assess the situation. To become intentional about what would be created anew. To use our imaginations to envision a new, better, reality, and to think about what steps might help get us there. Taking a step back allows for the Shechinah— the feminine aspect of God who is known to dwell among us— to join our efforts and help us lift our burden, and guide our purposeful thinking. Second, we can act in ways that are courageous in the spaces that we inhabit: to call out hatred, to stand up for justice; to vocalize dissent from hateful speech and to articulate a vision for a better world. There may be risk involved in these endeavors, which should be considered by each individual. But change doesn't happen without the brave actions of the masses; think the American Revolution, the winning of WWII, or of the victories of the civil rights or women's rights or LGBT rights movements. Bold actions are necessary to making change. And third, we can recognize that we are co-creating the world we want to see all the time. This past week, in the Talmud Shabbat 119b, we learned that we should read the Shabbat blessing that includes the words of Genesis 2:3 as "and they finished" (work this past week), instead of the passive (work this past week) "was finished." Doing so hints that the past week was co-created by God and YOU! You had a hand in what the world became this week, and on the seventh day it is time to rest. We CAN build strong institutions that are standing up against hatred, and standing up to make room for love and inclusion of all. And, in doing so, we may be fortified that we are partners with God in this holy work. Let that motivate us forward! If you have a question you’d like me to answer, please contact me at: rabbiheathermiller.com/contact And thank you for #keepingitsacred… |
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TAKING A STAND AGAINST ONLINE HATE FOR PROFIT |
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This past week, Keeping It Sacred joined countless organizations ask Facebook to stop the hate-- and to increase accountability, decency, and support for those targeted. To read the article about the statement, click here. |
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RABBIS STANDING UP FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM |
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Rabbi Miller joined the President of the Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the first American Woman Rabbi Sally Preisand, and well over 400 others to stand up for Reproductive Freedom by signing a National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Statement recently published. Rabbi Miller shares, "I studied reproductive freedoms in Jewish texts way back in 1994-- delving into Torah and commentaries by the likes of Jewish doctor and Rabbi Moses Maimonides, Jewish ethicist David Bleich, and Rabbi Judah in the Talmud. I have discussed Plan B with friends, and extended care to those who chose to terminate pregnancy. I have blessed couples experiencing infertility at the mikveh, and counseled couples on the finer points of IVF. I myself had a long road toward family formation with various tests and procedures, IUI and IVF cycles, and even having to have a DNC due to a miscarriage. The point is that women can, of course, consult with rabbis to discuss reproductive choices, and women may choose to heed their rabbi's advice if they like, but at the end of the day, I'm proud to stand up for the idea that each person must have the freedom to make decisions over their own bodies." |
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LOS ANGELES BOARD OF RABBIS TO DISCUSS RE(SOUL)UTIONS |
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Rabbi Miller will prepare Southern California Rabbis for the High Holy Days by teaching lessons from her book, Re(Soul)utions: A Practical Guide to Self-Repair, which features readings and prompts for reflection for each of the days in the month of Elul. The session, called Elul Insights, will explore the soul work we need to do this year. Rabbi Miller will offer the opportunity for rabbis to reflect upon the 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. Rabbi Miller will provide tools to help rabbis and our community members get a jump start on our soul work for the new year ahead. If you are a member of the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, please contact them for details. If you are not a member of the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis, please see Rabbi Miller's opportunities to study her book in a workshop format in the month of Elul (starting Sunday, August 13). Or contact her here for more information: rabbiheathermiller.com/contact. |
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RABBI MILLER LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB |
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Rabbi Miller's book club continues in July and August. This is a great opportunity to explore systemic racism and consider 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. Our next sessions will be based on the memoir: 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. 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. |
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HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KEEPING IT SACRED |
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This is the last week to tell us what you'd like to see from Rabbi Miller and Keeping It Sacred! So, please, let us know. Would you like to welcome in the new year together with High Holy Day services? Text Studies? Meditations? Something else? Let us know what you're interested in by filling out this one page survey here: |
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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. |
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TORAH OF THE WEEK: Happy new week! The reflection on this week's Torah Portion, on Parashat Pinchas, Numbers 25:10 - 30:1, can be found HERE: |
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CLASSES ON RESTORING YOUR SOUL: RE(SOUL)UTIONS ELUL CLASS |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. 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. 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 be sure to fill out the following survey so that we may plan High Holy Day programming to fit with your needs/interests: https://forms.gle/Frjn7mqkcL6HXg1a7 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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We'd love for you to forward this to a friend to invite them to sign up, too! |
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