Leader-full Legacies

Rabbi Heather Miller
Feb 16
16 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Newsletter February 17th, 2026 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

This morning we learned of the peaceful passing of civil rights leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson. His son, Jesse Jackson, Jr., has shared that he would like his father to be remembered first and foremost as someone who cared for others. Indeed, in his life, he demonstrated care for those working for civil rights for the Black community in coalition with those from all racial and ethnic groups, care for those in the LGBT community as he was the first person at the DNC ever to say “gay and lesbian” (in 1984!) and championing marriage equality, and care for those on the streets with his concern for economic justice through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and other efforts. He cared for families of those who had been killed by law enforcement, standing with them at funerals and press conferences, bringing attention to their struggle for justice. And he even cared for children showing up on an episode of Sesame Street where he taught each child, regardless of their race or ethnicity, the concept of dignity and self-respect with the simple phrase, “I am somebody!” (See it HERE)

His incredible work reminds us that the Civil Rights movement was a leader-full movement. It was not only one person spearheading the push for equality. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worked with a whole team of dynamic leaders who together moved the work forward. James Lawson, Rosa Parks, Ralph Abernathy, The Little Rock Nine, Bayard Rustin, John Lewis, Ella Baker. All giants in their own ways. People passionate about changing the world for the better.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s name rose to the top of names associated with the Civil Rights movement from the Jewish community. But he was accompanied by many other notable Jewish activists as well like Rabbi Joachim Prinz, Rabbi Israel Seymour Dresner, Rabbi Eugene Borowitz, Rabbi Richard Levy, Rabbi Al Vorspan, and others, organized and put their bodies on the line for the movement.

Today, the Black Lives Matter movement is also a leader-full movement and has intentionally organized around a decentralized model. Across the country are various grassroots chapters of communities doing work at the local level to dismantle white supremacy and bring about equality. And there are many supportive groups organized as well like Clergy for Black Lives, White People for Black Lives, BLM Youth Vanguard, and others.

All of this teaches us that we each have a part in the struggle for justice. Or, as Rev. Jesse Jackson said as he was setting up his multiracial, multicultural coalitions, “justice transcends race."

In the book of Exodus, we also see the leadership of various individuals helping to actualize the dream of freedom. Of course Moses was front and center with regard to the Exodus narrative, having the story track his life from an infant born under a law that would call for his immediate death, to the moments where he is able to view the Promised Land from a promontory, after having brought the people out of Egypt. But, while he brought the message of God down from the Heavens, his brother Aaron brought the feelings of the people up to his and God's attention. And their sister, Miriam, also helped lead the people through the parted sea with a timbrel in her hand motivating the people with music and making sure no one was left behind. The brave Nachshon entered the waters and insisted people continue to push forward when the Egyptians were chasing them, and the artist Betzalel crafted the Temple with his skill and artistry once the people made it to the Holy Land. And of course everyone brought no less than 1/2 shekel to contribute to the Temple funds.

Each individual listed above made a decision to act for righteousness, for goodness. To act for justice. And, alone, one might say, “well they ONLY did x, y, z.” But when taken together, the outcome is much greater than the sum of their parts. Community is built with the care of hundreds and thousands and hundreds of thousands of caring hearts, willing to courageously take action.

This morning, our new Keeping It Sacred Social Action in Los Angeles group met for the first time. And, what a leader-full community we already have! Members got to know one another by sharing about the kinds of work they are involved with, everything from packing sandwiches for those in need to using professional skills for courageous acts of goodness. And we are beginning to organize. If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like to join our meetings every other Wednesday at 9am PT starting 3/4, please let me know, or let me know if you would like to be added to the email list we have formed at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com. Every person's contribution matters.

Here, at Keeping It Sacred, in addition to exploring racial justice through our Rosh Chodesh Racial Justice Book Review which meets monthly, we are now organizing for action locally in LA. As a leader-full movement, please also let me know if you’d like to create a group organized in your area.

This Black History Month and always, may we work towards the vision of a world of equality and where everyone can confidently say and be recognized as somebody.

Through thoughtful understanding, caring hearts, and courageous action, and in community with one another, we are keeping it sacred.

Together, we’re keeping it sacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

Read Our 2025 Annual Report!

Our 2025 Annual Report is here, and it tells the story of what we have built together this year: deep learning, bold justice work, sacred celebration, and powerful connection across the globe. We are so grateful that you choose to be part of this beautiful, growing global community connected by purpose, courage, and heart.

Take a few moments to read the report and celebrate what we’ve made possible together here: keepingitsacred.com/our-annual-reports

KITS SOCIAL ACTION IN LA CLUB

FEBRUARY 17TH 9AM PT/12PM ET -- A new KITS Club is forming and you’re invited. Join our KITS Social Action in LA Club— gather with like-minded folks looking to create community and support one another’s work for social justice in Los Angeles from a place of Jewish values and uplifting human dignity. We met today, 2/17 at 9am PST via Zoom to get to know one another and begin to identify our areas of work. If you would like to join in future meetings and actions, please contact rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com to indicate your interest in the meetings and/or the email thread.

If you are in an area that is more remote but would like to support LA folks in our efforts, please sign up to participate as well. We can use all the help we can get.

MORNING SHABBAT

FEBRUARY 28TH 10AM PT/1PM ET – Give yourself the gift of space to reflect and rejuvenate in community with monthly Shabbat Services. Rabbi Miller and possibly Max Winer will lead the community with Jewish thought and sacred song. This month we are mixing it up, and meeting on Shabbat morning instead of our regular Friday night-- we are hoping to do a hamantaschen bake that day-- mmmm! This will precede a kids singalong service.

10am Hamantaschen making and baking

10:30am Shabbat Singalong for Kids of All Ages (online portion of the program)

Eating Hamantaschen immediately to follow.

Enjoy some chill time in community. Join us! No experience necessary.

If you plan to join in person (with 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 (https://www.keepingitsacred.com/event-details/morning-shabbat)

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

FEBRUARY 22ND 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.

Purim is coming, which means a party! Please join us for the KITS Creativity Club on Feb 22, 9 am Pacific. Put on a costume, share a song about Purim, bring your favorite recipe, and come with mocktail in hand as we celebrate Queen Esther and the miracles of Purim!

Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB

MARCH 9TH 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 explores 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.

We are now reading Heart of a Stranger by Rabbi/Cantor Angela Buchdahl, we will be discussing Chapters 19-31.

ADAR ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

FEBRUARY 19TH 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.

During this session we will continue with chapter 3 of our study text,

In Open Contempt by Irvin Weathersby Jr.

Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

MAZAL TOV CATHERINE & RYAN!

Ryan and Catherine's wedding photos and video came out recently and the collection is stunning! Rabbi Miller writes, "It was an honor to stand with these two at Los Angeles Country Club and guide them through a ceremony rooted in love, intention, and sacred tradition. There are such tenderhearted and spirit lifting moments in this video and I am proud to have helped craft the ritual personally for them-- and even more special, to continue to celebrate their love." Watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/1161664320

INTERFAITH ZOOM PASSOVER SEDER

APRIL 2ND 5PM PT/8PM ET – Join us again this year for Keeping It Sacred’s 6th Annual Interfaith, Intergenerational, International Passover Seder hosted online by Grammy-winning musician Joanie Leeds and our own Rabbi Heather Miller 5pm PT /8pm ET April 2nd (this is a second night seder).

Joanie won a grammy for her amazing album, All the Ladies, inspired by Madeline Albright. And Joanie was nominated for a grammy for her twelfth album, Ageless: 100 years young, about her grandmother.

Co-sponsored by All Saints Church Pasadena, CA and Santa Margarita Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, please contact mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com to cosponsor this event!

And join us online for the program: Register HERE.

Check out our special invitation HERE!

MELT THE ICE HAT

Some of our members have taken up the cause of weaving these hats. Each time the pattern is purchased, proceeds go to the immigrant aid agencies who will distribute the funds to those impacted by the actions of ICE. Buy the pattern here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-hat

A DISABILITY WISDOM AS SOUL CARE WEBINAR

FEBRUARY 19TH 2 PM PT/5 PM ET -- Join our friends at Kirva in marking Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) on Zoom. This webinar, led by Rabbi Lauren Tuchman, will offer teachings and practices from Kirva’s Disability Wisdom as Soul Care program, which cultivates vibrant Jewish learning communities led by and for Jews with disabilities. Rooted in the belief that disability and chronic illness bring essential wisdom to Jewish tradition and learning spaces, we come together to learn Jewish spiritual tools from the Mussar (applied Jewish ethics) and Chassidic (applied Jewish mysticism) traditions, and how they can cultivate greater connection, healing, and nourishment. This gathering is open to all. Whether you are a person with disabilities seeking spiritual resourcing, are curious about the program, or want to better support folks with disabilities in your local Jewish community, we hope you'll join us!Register here: bit.ly/dwasc-webinar

HEALING CIRCLE & TALMUD TEXT STUDY EVERY THURSDAY

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.

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...

NOW CASTING RURAL JEWISH INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES!

From a KITS connection (passing on this information for your review): We are seeking Jewish individuals and families living in rural or small-town America to participate in a social media series exploring what Jewish life looks like outside major cities. We're especially interested in people with unique, personal backstories - those living Jewish lives that may be unconventional, unexpected, or shaped by their surroundings. This includes (but is not limited to) individuals and families who are:

In interfaith or inter-cultural relationships
Practicing Judaism alongside other religious traditions
Navigating Jewish identity in places with little or no Jewish infrastructure
Creating community in creative or nontraditional ways

To apply, please submit:

A brief written description of yourself (or your family)
A 3-5 minute self-tape (a video filmed on your phone is perfectly fine!) introducing yourself, sharing your backstory, and walking us through a day in your small-town Jewish life

We're looking for honesty, specificity, and heart - not polish. Just be yourself! Email submissions to: SWCasting1@gmail.com

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.

2/19 ADAR 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 3 at 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET.Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

2/19 HEALING CIRCLE