New Year Champions

Newsletter January 1, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Yesterday, I fulfilled a childhood dream: to see manatees in the wild. They were more majestic and breathtaking than I imagined. Gentle giants swimming among the barracudas, sheepshead fish, lion fish, nurse sharks, and minnows. 

And the best part? I was there with my children and wife, and friends- and as I reflect on the experience on this New Years Day, there is a lesson that emerges. Something I don’t want to soon forget: surround yourself with people who are rooting for you to make your dreams come true. 

Even biblical Moses had people like this surrounding him. His brother Aaron, and friend, Hur, helped him fulfill his responsibilities to the people in Exodus 17. And his father in law, Jethro, advised him in his leadership in Exodus 18. It seems even our patriarch gets by with a little help from his friends. Surrounding yourself with people who help you be your best self is a Jewish value. 

Speaking of which, this Friday marks for our community four years of sustained study of the Daf Yomi/ Page a Day of the Babylonian Talmud. At first this study marathon seemed like an insurmountable challenge- to read 2,711 pages of thoughtful argumentation along a journey that syncs with others around the world studying this cycle. But we have a superpower: we have surrounded ourselves with those in our KITS community who have the similar goal and who want to empower and champion each other. Together we are moving forward, helping one another fulfill our dreams. Mazal Tov to all who have made it this far! (And, it's never too late to join; let me know if you'd like to pick it up by emailing me at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com).

This first day of the new year, my wish is for each of us to be aware of the Aaron and Hurs and Jethros in our lives (for me one of my Jethro’s is named Jethro!). And to be that kind of champion for those around us. 

This is how we will bring sanctity and momentum for ourselves and others into the new year. 

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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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 

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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...