No Pain, No Gain
- Rabbi Heather Miller
- Jan 4
- 13 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Newsletter January 5, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
There is a rabbi named Ben Hey Hey. Yes, that’s his name, and his teachings from 1800 years ago were recorded in the Mishnah. And he said: “According to the pain is the reward." (Mishnah Pirkei Avot 5:23) Sounds like “no pain, no gain,” to me! But I don’t think he was talking about exercise routines. In fact, 1,000 years ago, the great rabbi named Maimonides expounded upon this saying. He insisted that Ben Hey Hey was talking about study. No pain, no gain, in study?! Yes. He taught, “Only that which you study with exertion, labor, and fear from the teacher will endure but reading for enjoyment and leisure has no endurance to it and no point in it.” So, no pain no gain, in study? This is an interesting educational pedagogy, I think. Many of our Keeping It Sacred members, you dear reader likely included, are educators and have taught for a number of years. Whether in a formal classroom or religious school setting, or teaching students of business, coaching teams, or raising up children, you may be thinking that teachers should not try to instill fear into their students. True. Certainly not if it is degrading or denies a student’s inherent value. But how might these words be true? In what circumstances? Perhaps you have a teacher who just pushed all your buttons but in a good way and not degrading way— and that helped you crystalize your understanding of a subject? Or perhaps you were taught difficult lessons in life, and that led you to a better path? What I think this text is saying is that we can learn from all of these kinds of experiences. Not just the joyful lessons in life, but also the ones that challenge us. Like this text! The ones that require endurance, especially. Like graduate school, or learning to master a craft. Today, actually, marks 6 whole years of studying a page of Talmud EVERY DAY for our community. That means that as of the end of the day today, we have completed 2,192 pages of Talmud! And certainly not every page was filled with joy or the pleasure of wise sayings of the rabbis! Many pages indeed were offensive, and some were less scintillating than others. But the endurance that we have demonstrated in this daily practice has amounted to much more than just 519 pages to go! It has brought us together in a weekly rhythm of communal gathering to discuss ethics and life experience. It has allowed us to wrestle with the rabbis of old and find our voice among that of the sages. It has given us milestones to celebrate— and a community with whom we celebrate. No pain, no gain, put another way, means, “according to the effort is the reward.” This year, we invite you to join as we study some of the more difficult pages of Talmud. But more than that we invite you into a weekly rhythm of intellectual exploration, sharing of life journeys, and an international community that has come to know and care about one another deeply. Through the hard texts, with celebration of the more illuminating texts. And, as we have now begun this new year, 2026, I invite you to consider what kind of endeavor this effort is worth putting into, and what reward might you glean from it if you commit to it? As the year is about to unfold, and we commit to great efforts, so may the rewards follow! This is how we’re keeping it sacred. Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred
SIYYUM TRACTATE ZEVACHIM
JAN 15TH 12PM PT/3PM ET – This is a special celebration of the completion of a tractate/ section of Talmud. Join us whether you have studied it or not as we will review our favorite parts of the text; some people write poetry, some ask questions, others share their favorite pages, all celebrate having gotten to know this special text, and express hope to get to celebrate it another year in the future. At this gathering, we will joyfully celebrate the completion of Tractate Zevachim-- so bring a silly hat to celebrate in community!
WELCOME TO THE WORLD, NOAH!
With great joy, the entire Keeping It Sacred community welcomes Noah into the world! His amazing parents, Talia and Max, were married by Rabbi Miller in 2023 at the Bel Air Bay Club and the family has now made their home in Arizona. An extra element of joy is that he shares a birthday with Rabbi Miller’s youngest son, too. Welcome to the world, Noah, we’re excited you’re here!
THE 2026 PACIFIC ASSOCIATION OF REFORM RABBIS CONFERENCE
This week, Rabbi Miller attended the yearly gathering of rabbis known as the PARR Conference (Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis). There, she studied, prayed, and reconnected with fellow Reform rabbis from Oregon, Vegas, Guatemala, New Zealand, and elsewhere. And, she also participated in the yearly WRN (Women’s Rabbinic Network) luncheon (see photo of group study above). Students from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion led prayer, and Rabbi Laura Novak Winer who is the mother of our Shabbat co-leader Max Winer, lifted the Torah during services (see photo of Torah lift above).
Rabbi Miller also met up with rabbinic colleagues from her rabbinic class of 2008 (see photo Rabbi Miller and colleagues above). In addition, the remembrances of two rabbis who passed this past year who had boldly and with ethical integrity participated in the Civil Rights movement activities inspired the group. Rabbi Miller shares, “My favorite parts of this gathering are each of us sharing our unique and precious rabbinates, and gathering in prayer to remember the significance of each one.” What a powerful experience it was!
GORDON BLITZ SERMON
The last sermon of the new year, Gordon Blitz, member of Beth Chayyim Chadashim, delivered a drash on his experience of Christmas as a Jew. His story followed his life growing up as a Jewish boy, experience of Christmas as his partner’s family kept him away until the partner passed, and finally, his experience later in life. There’s a special surprise ending at the end. Enjoy it here: https://beth-chayim-chadashim.livecontrol.tv/c40fdb7d
CHRISTMAS EVE AT ALL SAINTS
Each year at Christmas Eve, All Saints Church of Pasadena welcomes interfaith leaders to participate in their services. Rabbi Miller has done this during the tenure of three different rectors now and again joined the community in the spirit of interfaith understanding and celebration. At this point, various parishoners including leadership, members of the choir and other interfaith leaders gather with the feel of reunion. This is part of the way our Keeping It Sacred community engages in interfaith education and understanding.
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRES IN LA
This week, we mark one year since the terrible fires that wiped out neighborhoods in Los Angeles including three homes of our members, and threatened KITS headquarters. We are proud to be a community that banded together in the wake of these disasters, providing pastoral and communal support, gathering sacred Judaica for people to help rebuild, and receiving love and financial support from our congregational friends in Florida. Rabbi Miller’s contemplated the fires and the human experience of persevering through loss in her High Holy Day sermon (link to sermon) that considered the question of “what does it mean to be a bush on fire but not consumed?” inspired by Exodus 3:2. To all in our community who experienced last January’s fires, we hold space for you in this week’s newsletter. And to all: please reach out to Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com to share any times where you may need additional rabbinic or communal support. This is how together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
KITS CREATIVITY CLUB
JANUARY 11TH 9AM PT/12PM ET – Calling all creative people and people who want to create! Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better.
Many of us have been experiencing snow, so we thought we should make our own, in the form of those paper cutouts we used to make as children- with a twist. Bring thin paper, white and colored, printer paper, origami paper, tissue paper, etc. Also bring a ruler, pencil and scissors.Come create and chat! No talent, great talent and all in between welcome! New people welcome!
Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
JANUARY 12TH AT 4PM PT/7PM ET — Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining our KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy. The SGBC explore books in monthly meetings, with topics and discussions centered on the questions that arise for those who are new to Judaism. With a collaborative approach to book discussion, we envision this book club as a place to make new friends, have nuanced and meaningful discussions, and deepen our relationships with Judaism. Gatherings held on Mondays at 4pm PT/7pm ET.
Our next book results are in! We will be reading Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging – October 21, 2025 by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl! Get your copy today!
SH'VAT ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK CLUB
JANUARY 15TH 9:30AM PT/12:30PM ET – Rosh Chodesh means “head of the month” and celebrates the new moon ushering the new Hebrew calendar month. So, at Keeping It Sacred, we are committed to beginning each month with a compassionate, principled vision of racial justice.
This month, we will be reviewing our NEW study text, In Open Contempt: Confronting White Supremacy in Art and Public Space by Irvin Weathersby Jr.
During this session we will continue with Chapter 2. Please join us!
TU BISHVAT SHABBAT
JANUARY 23RD 5:30 PM PT/8:30PM ET – Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly Shabbat Services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. The service is designed to be tight but meaningful and interactive. This Shabbat will feature an ancient Jewish celebration of the trees known as Tu Bishvat. Join us! No experience necessary.
If you plan to join in person (with dinner and schmoozing afterwards), please email Rabbi Miller at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.
And if you plan to join us online, please know the service is interactive so plan to participate via the text chat and by keeping your camera on if possible-- to do that, register here:keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT KEEPING IT SACRED?
The best part of our community are our people. So, for our Keeping It Sacred 5 year anniversary, Rabbi Miller asked these members to share their thoughts on our community. These videos were shared at our celebration, and now you have the chance to see what people are saying in full HERE!
Or, you can click on the links below to hear from each of the participants. MAZAL TOV to everyone in the KITS global community for building this community by, with, and for one another!
Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY
**We usually meet EVERY THURSDAY --
1/22 and 1/29 as planned but please mark your calendar that Healing Circle and Talmud for All scheduled for February 5 will be postponed.
JOIN our healing circle EVERY THURSDAY at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET holding space for all looking for prayers for healing.
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 the world 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, please register HERE. And look for us on Instagram HERE.
ALSO we have been studying the construction of the Second Temple-- check out this awesome link to a tour through a virtual representation of the Second Temple to help visualize what we're studying HERE.
ADD THE KITS CALENDARS TO YOURS AND NEVER MISS AN EVENT!
Keep up with KITS programming! KITS offers events at least twice a week, make sure you’re in the know by adding the Google Calendar here or
To subscribe on iCal, copy and paste the following link into your calendar app's 'Add Calendar by URL' option: webcal://p164-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/MTAwNTkyMDg4MjcxMDA1OQR0fuSCoir8-IUKE7Pl_mtLL6wCWL8UsFQl0SOGOutaVvSGypiGpw8QpGzN3GB97CHqafkuA4hx2U97b43we1c
LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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!
HELP US KEEP IT SACRED
Love the Newsletter? Help Keep It Sacred!
If you’re reading this, you’re part of the Keeping It Sacred community—no dues, no gatekeeping, just connection, learning, and inspiration.
Many of you tell us how much the newsletter means to you—like this note from a reader:“Rabbi, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of emails that flood my inbox daily. The majority are deleted without hesitation. Then there are those that are work related or personal. Then there are yours. When I read your emails, they fill a void I didn't even know was there. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.”
We’re so grateful to everyone who makes this possible through generous contributions.
If this newsletter brings you insight, comfort, or a sense of belonging, please consider making a donation today to help us keep it going strong.
Give here: keepingitsacred.com/our-future
Thank you for being part of our sacred community.
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, Apple + 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.
1/8 HEALING CIRCLE
Thursdays at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET. 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.
1/8 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP
Thursdays at 11am PT/2pm ET. 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.
1/8 SIYYUM TRACTATE ZEVACHIM
At 12pm PT/3pm ET. Join us as we celebrate the completion of our study of Tractate Shavuot. We will enjoy a traditional siyyum (culmination) ceremony— please bring your favorite gleanings, and a fun hat to celebrate!
1/11 CREATIVITY CLUB
Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. 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.
1/12 SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining the new KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy! Gatherings held on the second Monday of the month at 4pm PT/7pm ET.
1/15 SH'VAT ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK CLUB
We will be reviewing our study text, “In Open Contempt" by Irvin Weathersby Jr. Rosh Chodesh means “head of the month” and celebrates the new moon ushering the new Hebrew calendar month. So, at Keeping It Sacred, we are committed to beginning each month with a compassionate, principled vision of racial justice. During this session we will continue with chapter 2 at 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET.Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
1/15 HEALING CIRCLE
Thursdays at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET. 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.
1/15 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP
Thursdays at 11am PT/2pm ET. 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.
1/22 HEALING CIRCLE
Thursdays at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET. 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.
1/22 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP
Thursdays at 11am PT/2pm ET. 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.
1/23 TU BISHVAT SHABBAT
Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly Shabbat Services. Rabbi Miller and Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song the last Friday of every month. Rabbi Miller is our rabbi! And, Max Winer is a storyteller, song leader, and musician who uses these creative expressions to help create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a love of Judaism.
1/25 CREATIVITY CLUB
Enjoy a chance to hang out with other Keeping It Sacred community members, get to know each other better, and create. 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.
1/29 HEALING CIRCLE
Thursdays at 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET. 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.
1/29 PAGE-A-DAY OF TALMUD DAF YOMI GROUP MEET-UP
Thursdays at 11am PT/2pm ET. 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.
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...
The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter.
If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news
And if you'd like the newsletter delivered to your inbox every week, please share your name and email address in the fields at the bottom of the page in the purple boxes.
Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...
