Living Our Values
- Rabbi Heather Miller
- Nov 16, 2025
- 14 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Newsletter November 17, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
Our community is alive with the power of change. Positive change. This week alone, I attended a film premiere for American Solitaire, starring our amazing member, Gilbert Owour. The film ends with a montage of the impactful work that the organization RAWTools is doing, literally beating guns into gardening tools. In doing so they take guns out of circulation. This work is inspired by the prophetic imperative of Micah and Isaiah that insists, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares.”
Later in the week, I gathered for an incredibly powerful baby naming for a child named Anna who received the gift of life— a heart transplant. Her loving family are big supporters of Donate Life America, responsible for matching donors with those in need of life saving organs. They also support another program, Literally Healing, which provided books to their family throughout their daughter’s many, many hospital stays. Their family's commitment to making the world a better place for those living out difficult times is inspiring and is an expression of the highest of missions— to live our values in the world. They are working to save lives (the Jewish value of pikuach nefesh), the value of study (limmud li’shmah), and the value of visiting the sick (bikur cholim).
Gilbert, and Anna’s family, aren’t the only Keeping It Sacred members whose work or life supports the repairing of the world . Not even close. I am privileged to know each of you and the many organizations you lead or support in the world. Jackie and Planned Parenthood. Karen and the Trans Justice Funding Project. Linda and the Center for Community Solutions. Patricia and the Alzheimer’s Association. Kim and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Diana and Parents’ Circle as well as World Central Kitchen. Leah and NPR. Cathy and Beit T'shuvah. Bev and Creating Justice LA. Rachel with Inclusion Matters. Reach out to me at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com to connect with our members and their incredible work, or click on the links above to learn more about the organizations they champion. And there are so many more of you, our members, doing truly incredible work in the world-- these are just the few that come to the top of my mind.
And all of you are cherished members of Keeping It Sacred and the important work we do in the world, chief among them is studying Torah.
And the rabbis ask, "why DO we study Torah in the first place?" And they answer: Because it leads to action.
In the Eilu Devarim prayer which says that there the things which a person receives reward for in this world, but the principal is enjoyed in the world to come. They are doing beautiful acts of care for others.
But in that same prayer, we learn that the study of Torah is equal to all of these good deeds. Why? Because it leads to them all. The study of holy texts gives us our values. And our values lead us to holy action. The study of Torah leads to them all.
The bottom line? We study Torah because it leads us to good works in the world. The purpose of Torah study is to lead to action.
This is why, here, at Keeping It Sacred, studying day after day. We learn and we do. And with each sacred action, we bring the world a little closer to the fullness it is meant to be.
This is how we’re keeping it sacred.
Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred
AMERICAN SOLITAIRE
NOVEMBER 18TH 7PM local time in San Francisco – Film premiere + Q&A with writer/director Aaron Davidman (Wrestling Jerusalem), and our KITS member, actor Gilbert Owuor (Emancipation), and guests.
American Solitaire explores America’s deep cultural connection to guns through the intimate story of a wounded veteran, played by Joshua Close (Wayward, Fargo), navigating the emotional aftermath of war. As he struggles to reintegrate into a society where firearms are revered and gun violence is pervasive, he embarks on a journey to heal himself and, by extension, challenge his country to allow for a broader vision of a soldier’s path to healing.
Written and directed by Aaron Davidman, this powerful narrative film invites audiences to reconsider the U.S. cultural relationship with guns. Through the protagonist’s personal story, the film examines the hidden costs of military service, PTSD, reintegration, and the enduring psychological impact of combat, while confronting how masculinity, identity, and notions of safety have become entangled with the presence of firearms in American life.
This event marks the launch of a national impact campaign dedicated to deepening the conversation about guns in America. All ticket proceeds directly support this effort.
Rabbi Miller and Melissa attended the premiere last week in Culver City, California, and this is a film not to be missed!
WELCOME TO THE WORLD, ANNA!
The entire global Keeping It Sacred community celebrates Anna who was recently given the Hebrew name, Rachel bat Esther v’Benyamin. The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Miller, at Anna’s grandparents’ home in Los Angeles. She was surrounded by family and chosen family and blessed by each before she was wrapped in her mother’s bat mitzvah tallit by her parents, Mollie and Ben. They shared the beautiful history of her Hebrew and English names and also expressed the deepest thanks and blessings to the family who donated Anna’s heart which saved her life.
They also provided information on signing up as an organ donor through the Donate Life America donor program, and the Children’s Hospital program that provides families in their care with books and literacy training, aptly called Literally Healing. Both of these programs surrounded their family with love and support and literally life, and it is their hope that other families are able to benefit from them as well. For more information, and to join Rabbi Miller in supporting these programs, click the links below:
DONATE LIFE: https://donatelife.net/
LITERALLY HEALING: https://www.chla.org/literally-healing
At this season of Thanksgiving, we can say, “Modeh/Modah Ani Lefanecha,” we are beyond grateful for her light in this world. Mazal tov to Anna and her family-and we celebrate with them as cherished members of the KITS community!
NOBODY WANTS THIS SERIES OVERVIEW
TUESDAY! NOVEMBER 18TH 5PM PT/8PM ET – Come discuss the Netflix series Nobody Wants This with the Keeping It Sacred community! We will talk about themes, religious and cultural expressions, story arcs (and more!) portrayed in this romcom between a rabbi and podcaster. Join us November 18 at 5pm PT/ 8pm ET on zoom. Register HERE.
GRATITUDE SHABBAT
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT: NOVEMBER 21ST 5:30PM 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. Join us as we create community, facilitate learning, and inspire a night of gratitude.
HANUKKAH SHABBAT
DECEMBER 19TH 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET – Celebrate the light of Hanukkah and the peace of Shabbat together with the Keeping It Sacred community! Join Rabbi Miller and Max Winer for an uplifting hour of sacred song, Jewish learning, and community connection.
Friday, December 195:30pm PT / 8:30pm ET
Online via Zoom + In person in Los Angeles, CA
Come welcome Shabbat during this season of light, renewal, and joy. No experience needed—just bring yourself. All are truly welcome!
Keeping It Sacred programs are free for all in the spirit of keruv (accessibility). Voluntary contributions are deeply appreciated and help sustain offerings like this.
Please note the start time of 5:30pm PT, and adjust for your local time zone if joining from outside the Pacific Time region.
Invite your friends and celebrate Hanukkah and Shabbat in community.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
NOW ON YOUTUBE: In case you missed it or if you just want to relive the celebration-- find clips from our 5th Anniversary Celebration! HERE
We are a community chok full of joy, and sacred connection on full display. at Keeping It Sacred’s 5th Anniversary Celebration — now available on our YouTube channel!
From inspiring reflections to heartfelt moments of gratitude, this milestone event captures the spirit of inclusivity, accessibility, and five years of meaningful community. SO MUCH joy and gratitude to all who made it possible!
KISLEV ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK CLUB
NOVEMBER 20TH 9:30AM PT/12:30PM ET – We will be reviewing our study text, “How We Learn to Be Brave" by Mariann Edgar Budde. We are committed to beginning each month with a compassionate, principled vision of racial justice. Join us as participants share the most valuable thing learned from the book as we finish in review of the novel.
TEVET ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK CLUB
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.
DECEMBER 11TH 9:30AM PT/12:30PM ET –
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 begin with the prologue and chapter 1. Please join us!
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 8 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...
KITS CREATIVITY CLUB
NOVEMBER 30TH 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, 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.
Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
TODAY DECEMBER 8TH 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.
TORAH TOGETHER:
AN EVENING OF JOY, FOOD, AND WRESTLING WITH ANGELS
TOMORROW NIGHT: DECEMBER 9TH 7:30-9PM PT — For Jews of Color and their loved ones in Culver City! Come gather with Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy for a night of creative storytelling, soulful stagecraft, and delicious dinner. We'll learn, laugh, and lift each other up—celebrating the magic of JOC Torah and the truth that Torah belongs to us. Come meet new and old friends as Ammud launches programs in L.A. The memorable evening will be led by Rabbi Sass Brown, Program Director at Ammud, and rabbinical student Rebeca Carrillo, Ammud's Rabbinic Intern.
This program is open to adults who identify as Jews of Color and their loved ones who might not identify as Jews of Color.
Please RSVP below. Space is limited, so sign up today!
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.
*PLEASE NOTE: Daf Yomi and Healing Circle will not be held on Thanksgiving Day or New Year's Day, but it will be held on Christmas Day.
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, RadioPublic, 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.
11/18 SERIES REVIEW OF NETFLIX'S NOBODY WANTS THIS
5PM PT/8PM ET – Come discuss the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This” with the Keeping It Sacred community! We will talk about themes, religious and cultural expressions, story arcs (and more!) portrayed in this romcom between a rabbi and podcaster. Save the date for November 18 at 5pm PT/ 8pm ET on zoom. Register HERE: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
11/20 KISLEV ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW
We will be reviewing our new text which we will announce in our upcoming newsletter. We are committed to beginning each month with a compassionate, principled vision of racial justice.
11/20 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.
11/20 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.
11/21 GRATITUDE 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.
11/30 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.
12/4 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.
12/4 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.
12/11 TEVET ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW
Thursdays at 9:30am PT/12:30pm ET. We will be reviewing our study text, “In Open Contempt" by Irvin Weathersby Jr. We are committed to beginning each month with a compassionate, principled vision of racial justice.
12/11 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.
12/11 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.
12/18 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.
12/18 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.
12/19 HANUKKAH 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.
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...
For more information, please see the full newsletter and our full newsletter archive at keepingitsacred.com/news
And to sign up for the newsletter every week, please sign up at the bottom of the page in the purple boxes-- we just need your name and email address.
Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred…
