The sharpest minds of the two preeminent Jewish communities would come together each year at this time of year, to debate the hottest topics of the day. No subject was off limits, and the intellectual prowess they displayed from having studied day and night would draw enthusiastic spectators from lands near and far.

This was, according to the Midrash Tanchuma, the season of the debates of the scholars of Sura and Pumbedita. These two cities (by modern-day Karbala, Iraq and modern-day Fallujah, Iraq, respectively) honored Jewish learning and engagement in the big questions of life. They earnestly sought to find the MOST ethical way to act in any given situation-- from family matters to ritual practice to financial principals to the ethics of food. They might approach the same issue from different angles, but they always sought the truth.

And this time, for the Jewish people, was heavily blessed. We are told that there was no captivity, persecution or conquering over them. Why? Because they loved the law and the Holy One honored the promise made in Psalm 119: "Great peace have they that love Your law."

What this midrash is saying is that blessings can come from arguments. That as long as the arguments are for the sake of building up rather than tearing down, as long as they are about finding the truth, and done l'shem shamayim (literally, for the sake of Heaven), then battles of the minds can be holy. But like anything else, it is up to us to make them so. To sincerely try to respectfully share perspective, and just as sincerely try to hear out opposing viewpoints.

I am certain that these brilliant academies intentionally chose this time of year for these "battles." Why? Because this month of Elul, leading up to the High Holy Days, is a time of humility. A time when we are each searching out our behavior over the past year and seeking to make amends. Seeking to repair. Seeking healing and the peace that comes from it.

In this way, truly, the Psalmist was right, "Great peace have they that love Your law." May it continue to be so in this community as well.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

ELUL BOOK CLUB WITH RABBI MILLER

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutidons: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. Please register at: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

PLUS: View our DAILY Elul posts of inspiration and insight, excerpted from the book, on instagram HERE and HERE. See below for our first:

HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH KEEPING IT SACRED

Please SAVE THE DATES to enjoy a complete High Holy Day Season with Keeping It Sacred this year. Together, we will Honor the most sacred days in the Jewish Calendar.

Our theme this season is "Gathering for Goodness." Like the fringes on the tallit, we gather up our loved ones, our memories, our unique gifts, and from there flows goodness.

We consider: What kind of goodness is needed in the world today? What is the goodness that I can uniquely offer? Who and what needs to be brought together to make it happen?

Join us for comprehensive communal experience with insights from Rabbi Miller, music from Cantorial Soloist Elizabeth Lange, reflective space with Kimberly Dueñas from Jewtina y Co., a youth experience & tashlich LIVE from the beach with Jeffrey Silverstein, and so much more! 

Please mark your calendars for:

9/2, 9/9, 9/16, and 9/23 Elul Book Club 1pm PT/4pm ET

9/25 Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder @5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET

9/26 Rosh Hashanah @10am PT/ 1pm ET

9/27 Second Day Rosh Hashanah with Jewtina Y Co. @3pm PT/6pm ET

9/30 LIVE from the Beach a Youth experience, Tashlich, and Shabbat Services starting @4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET

10/4 Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei Service @530pm PT/8:30pm ET

10/5 Yom Kippur @10am PT/1pm ET

10/5 Yizkor Memorial Service noon PT/3pm ET 

10/5 Neilah/Havdallah @6pm PT/9pm ET

What people say about our services:

"Such a warm feeling of community."

"Rabbi Miller, you are such an upbeat, enthusiastic spirit,and one who is truly devoted."

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

Keeping It Sacred programs are FREE for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated. Invite your friends and family! Register HERE.

HIGH HOLY DAY PRAYERBOOKS ON SALE NOW!

Please plan to join our High Holy Day services to jumpstart 5783! We will have the words of the prayers displayed on screen, but if you'd like to have the machzor (high holy day prayerbook) in your hands as we go, as well, please order the CCAR Press books called Mishkan HaNefesh (gold for Rosh Hashanah and silver for Yom Kippur). Rabbi Miller helped produce these books that have plenty of reflections and insights from our tradition to help refresh our souls. And, now they are ON SALE at 50% off through the CCAR Press-- use promo code HHD5783 by September 1. You may purchase the regular edition for $23 (after promo) HERE, or the large print version for $50 (after promo) HERE.

MAZAL TOV!

The entire Keeping It Sacred community wishes a hearty Mazal Tov to Marshall and Lana on their recent wedding officiated by Rabbi Miller at The 1909 in Topanga, CA. Surrounded by a vibrant and joyful community, bride and groom celebrated heartily. Wishing them every happiness in the years ahead!

OVERCOMING DEEPEST GRIEF

Please join AJRCA's Chaplaincy School in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Spiritual Department for a virtual seminar and conversation with Acclaimed Author, Mary Aviyah Farkas, on Sunday, September 4th from 7:00pm to 8:15pm PT.

Rabbi Miller writes, "Please join our beloved Keeping It Sacred member, the very thoughtful and compassionate Mary Aviyah Farkas, as she shares reflections on grief and her book, Overcoming Deepest Grief. I have found the book to be full of relateable stories and resources for myself and others on the path of the mourner."

In order to fully engage in the event, you may purchase and read the book, Overcoming Deepest Grief: A Woman's Journey, Grief, Acceptance, Gratitude and Joy prior to attending. 

The virtual event is free and open to all, but you must register to attend. Please click here to register.

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

THIS THURSDAY AND 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 100 members strong from 31 different states and 9 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. 

Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all because we uphold the value of keruv/accessibility; voluntary financial contributions to help offset the cost of these programs are greatly appreciated.

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.

Our own esteemed community member, Sue Parker Gerson, shared THIS reflection on Ketubot 51 entitled: No Ketubah? No Problem. Enjoy it here: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ketubot-51/

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.

9/1 PRAYER 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. 

9/1 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.  

9/2 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/4 OVERCOMING DEEPEST GRIEF

Please join AJRCA's Chaplaincy School in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Spiritual Department for a virtual seminar and conversation with Acclaimed Author, Mary Aviyah Farkas, on Sunday, September 4th from 7:00pm to 8:15pm PT. Register for this program HERE.

9/8 PRAYER 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. 

9/8 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.  

9/9 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/15 PRAYER 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. 

9/15 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.  

9/16 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/22 PRAYER 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. 

9/22 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.  

9/23 ELUL BOOK CLUB ON SELF-REPAIR

Get your year started off with intention and inspiration, join us Fridays 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23 at 1pm PT/4pm ET as we discuss Rabbi Miller's Amazon charting book, ReSOULutions: A Practical Guide to Self Repair. And please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/25 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Erev Rosh Hashanah Seder

9/25 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET (75m) Celebrate the birth of the world by breaking bread together as one beautifully diverse human family. Please register for this program: HERE. 

9/26 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Rosh Hashanah Day I

10am PT/ 1pm ET(75 min) Celebrate the birth of the world in gathered community. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/27 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING Rosh Hashanah Day 2

3pm PT/5pm ET (75 min) Gain the tools needed for spiritual growth with Kimberly Dueñas & Jewtina y Co. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

9/29 PRAYER 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. 

9/29 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.  

9/30 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Youth Service, Tashlich, Shabbat Services

4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET LIVE from the beach in California, join Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein in person or via LIVESTREAM for a special Youth-oriented High Holy Day service, followed by Tashlich leading into Shabbat Services. Gather in community and sing, pray, dance, schmooze. Start the year with spiritual renewal. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/4 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Kol Nidrei/Erev Yom Kippur

5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET (75 min) Enter into the holiest day of the year with the soul-work of reflection and repair. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Day

10am PT/1pm ET (75 min) Focus on the texts, melodies and actions needed to rejuvenate the soul in community not bound by geographic limitations. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Yizkor Remembrances 

noon PT/3pm ET (75 min) Gather in community to remember loved ones we have lost but hold dear in our hearts this and every year. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/5 GATHERING FOR GOODNESS HIGH HOLY DAY PROGRAMMING

Yom Kippur Ne'ilah & Virtual Break-the-Fast

6pm PT/9pm ET (60 min) Rejoice in the conclusion of the day. For more information and to register, please visit: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming-1.

10/28 SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday night, 10/28 at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET, give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate with monthly shabbat services. Rabbi Miller and Jeffrey Silverstein will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. Together, we will lift up anniversaries, birthdays, and honor remembrances of our loved ones. This program runs the last Friday night of every month. Please email Rabbi Miller your important dates so we know when to honor your sacred times (birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances) at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. And please register here: 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...

GIFTS TO KEEPING IT SACRED

All of us at Keeping It Sacred would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to each and every person who has extended a financial gift to the KITS community this past year. You power the work and ensure that quality relevant & empowering programming and resources remain accessible for all regardless of economic capacity. 

If you like what we're doing and would like to make a meaningful gift in this new year of any amount, please visit our contributions page at:

keepingitsacred.com/our-future

Thank you for #keepingitsacred...

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