New Year Predictions
- Rabbi Heather Miller
- Dec 28, 2025
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Newsletter December 29, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
So, how are you feeling about the new year?
I mean, we are about to be in 2026. It’s pretty surreal, isn't it? I just read an article on CNN.com that talked about a 1998 study out of Cornell University’s Roper Center. That study asked participants to predict the then distant future: what would 2025 look like?
The results? Very interesting— some right predictions, some not so much. Read the study HERE to see what people predicted. But the interesting thing is this: no one knows what the future will bring. Pure and simple. The only thing that is certain is that we don’t actually know what will happen over the course of the next year, or 27 years. The future hasn’t yet been written.
And that’s what I’m holding onto these days. Will there be a woman president one day? Will cancer be cured in the next 10 years? Will 3D printing or AI create conditions for us all to live beyond 100? I don’t know. And that’s the privilege of being alive: to witness the constant unfolding of the world. Of not knowing what number will be called next on the bingo board.
The only thing we have a choice over is how we approach tomorrow. The same way that, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, Moses sent 12 spies into the promised land to scout it out, and two, Caleb and Joshua, came back with favorable reports while 10 came back discouraged.
The future is subjective and uncertain. And the lesson that the commentators teach by their favorable treatment of Caleb and Joshua, is that we should leave some room for miracles. Or fate. Or just dumb luck.
That though we may feel like grasshoppers amidst potentially giant crushing future forces, we should nevertheless keep moving forward. We should hold out for hope and potential. Because we aren’t God, and we don’t know what is going to happen. And that’s the privilege of being humans alive on the planet at this moment.
So, are you feeling positive about 2026? If so, that’s great and I hope it stays that way for you.
But if you’re like the rest of the 10 spies who looked into the future and see mostly dread and fear and challenge, I hope for you that you can lean on the predictions of those who are optimistic, and look to the unfolding of what is to come with hope.
Ultimately, the lesson is humility in knowing that we don’t know what’s in store for us. But what we do know is that we can meet the day with hope. That’s how we’re keeping it sacred.
Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred
CONGRATS TO ALPIE!
Congrats to our KITS member Alpie on his official joining of the Jewish people as Lior ben Avraham v'Sarah! On Friday night, the sixth night of Hanukkah, he was welcomed into the community by our global participants in Hanukkah Shabbat. Lior means "my light" and amidst the glowing Hanukkah Candles, we certainly felt the warmth and joy of his light! Mazal tov to Alpie and to all of us!
GET YOUR OFFICIAL KEEPING IT SACRED MUG
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Now's the time to visit keepingitsacred.com/our-future
Those who newly sign up to become monthly contributors, or those who increase their monthly donation (if they're already monthly donors) will receive this beautiful Keeping It Sacred official mug, no extra charge for shipping or handling. It makes a great study companion. And the back side says, "Please Unmute" reminding everyone that their voice should be heard.
Please visit keepingitsacred.com/our-future to reserve your mug, today!
This is the last week we will be running this fundraiser. Help us meet our goal?
While supplies last, only!
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.
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 – 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
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!
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
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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...
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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred…
