ONLY TO BE THERE
- Rabbi Heather Miller
- May 31
- 17 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Newsletter June 1st, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
Do you have a sacred place? A place to simultaneously reflect and contemplate the future. A place to exhale, and also simultaneously, a space that sends a jolt of electricity through your body when you visit?
Some of my sacred places include: Standing at the threshold of my grandparents’ former home front door. Bowing at the foot of the Western Wall. Sitting in the upper deck behind home plate at Dodger Stadium. Kneeling at my great-grandparents’ gravestones. And walking everywhere around my alma mater, Wellesley College.
Aside from the campus itself being ridiculously beautiful (see my photos here), the people I met in those formative college years, and fellow alumnae I have met in the years since, have emboldened me when I might otherwise shrink. They have pushed me to excel in my field when coasting would have been easier. They have supported me through the most challenging moments of life. And they have celebrated my every accomplishment with pure enthusiasm. In short, they have enriched my heart beyond words.
I recently returned to that sacred place and it seemed that every part of that beloved campus held a critical core memory or place of decision for me.
The Africana Studies Department offices where I met with my advisor to discuss my major. The library where I worked and would stay until closing studying night after night. The Hillel lounge where I observed countless Jewish holidays. The senate chambers where I represented and advocated on behalf of 64 student organizations. The lake where I would row mornings twice a week for half a year my first year. The classroom where I met my beloved Melissa. So many memories. Countless more.
What a spiritual experience to be back on campus after 25 years- with members of my Keeping It Sacred community, my family, my old roommate, and friends.
I’m guessing you also have a place that is a touchstone for you, too. Maybe you visit it a lot? Maybe seldom? Maybe it’s a place you can never return to again? In any case, it is a place that lives there in your heart and if you close your eyes you will be able to return to a different, earlier version of yourself. You will find opportunities to reflect and relate to the long arc of your life.
In the Torah, when Moses encounters the burning bush, God’s voice implores, “do not come closer! Remove your sandals for the place on which you stand is holy ground.” Visiting holy sites is a humbling experience. Being that close to one’s essence, those places where masks and pretenses and walls disappear-- those are sacred places. And being in a place where you can be that real with yourself is a place worthy of removing your shoes and calling it, "holy." It is a place of awe and inspiration.
When alumnae leave Wellesley College, we pine for our time there with the simple phrase, "only to be there." This means that we long for more spaces to be places of openness and care. Places where every individual is championed for who they are.
Much of the world does not feel safe. For those of us with marginalized identities, we have to be on alert. Patriarchy, heteronormativity, antisemitism, and all the other “ism”s and “phobias” plague us and keep us on our toes trying to navigate a world not set up for us. And so to be in a space that gets us, that welcomes us, and that was built by and for us, well, that is a sacred experience.
There’s one more sacred space I’d add to my list- and that is our KITS Zoom Room. Because, dear community, wherever you tune in from, wherever we create space together, it becomes sacred because we make it so with our engagement. With our sincerity. With our presence and holding sacred space for one another. Only to be there.
This is how we’re keeping it sacred. Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred
A MESSSAGE FROM THE KITS SOCIAL ACTION IN LA CLUB
At our most recent Community Shabbat Service, Phyllis Kornblum, Executive Director of the Commission on Voluntary Service & Action (CVSA), spoke to KITS congregants about the importance of promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level--especially in light of the abandonment of them by the US federal government. The group aims to build support for them from the bottom up. The congregants present in person and online voted unanimously for KITS to adopt and support the SDGs.
What are they? Here are the 17 Global Goals:
And, what exactly this support looks like depends on all of us. Phyllis suggested things we can do:
· promote the SDGs in the community by bringing more stakeholders into the discussion and by building alliances with other faith-based organization;
· demand that politicians we support, and local government officials-- including members of the Olympics Committee in LA-- endorse, adopt and work towards implementing the goals;
· build alliances with local officials to demand state and national support and accountability;
· write letters to the editors of both local papers and papers around the country, describing the goals, thereby generating interest and more support for them, and demonstrating that Americans actually do support these goals;
· publicize these goals through other organizations we have connections to, like our kids' schools and local businesses we patronize (or own!).
Over the next month, with few prominent Jewish holidays on the immediate horizon, we may use this space to talk more about these SDGs, how they tie in with Judaic values, and how we can support them.
In the meantime, we can begin by coming out to events this week that promote these goals:
JUNE 3: Our regular KITS SAIL Club meeting, 9am PT. Register HERE.
JUNE 4: California for All: Uplifting Latino and Immigrant Budget Priorities, a townhall at which Rabbi Miller will be speaking. Thursday, June 4, 6-7:30 p.m. Register HERE.
JUNE 6: Children's Hospital Los Angeles's 10th Annual Walk and Play L.A. -- on the Santa Monica Pier, June 6th, 8 a.m. to noon, with the fun walk beginning at 10 a.m. Why: We walk for all the children who receive lifesaving care at CHLA. Each step on the 3K path will echo your support for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, allowing the hospital to continue providing the best pediatric care in California to the kids who need it most—and need it now. For more information and fundraising opportunities, click HERE.
JUNE 7: Interfaith Pride Celebration at San Vicente & Santa Monica Blvd→ Volunteers needed to read a memorial prayer by Rabbi Miller
And come out this Sunday for Pride events at locations all around the city and the world! Email Rabbi Miller for more information at rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.
Please join in any and all activities happening in upcoming weeks as we continue in community to support causes near and dear to our hearts! And, keep making a difference, everyone! And here's the flyer for the upcoming Immigrant Budget Town Hall in Los Angeles:
KITS SUSTAINABILITY CLUB
JUNE 8TH, 2PM PT/5PM ET – We invite our community to join a 60-minute financial deep dive into KITS (Keeping It Sacred). Together, we’ll review our current financial landscape and introduce the KITS Sustainability Club—an ongoing space for collaborative thinking around funding models, revenue strategies, and long-term sustainability.
If you’re passionate about supporting this work and shaping its future, we welcome your voice. We need everyone's participation to help ensure our financial health.
Join us as we explore how KITS can continue to grow and thrive.
To attend via zoom, please register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL NEW ARK
Inside of this beautiful ark, we have placed our Keeping It Sacred community’s TWO Sefer Torahs, the sacred texts of our people. The ark was recently gifted to us by a community of care and compassion, vision and grace, and one who wanted their old ark to be loved and cared for. We are grateful recipients. Join us as we welcome this new home for the Torahs on Shabbat, June 19. Together, we are building something really special and good things are coming to us.
NEW INTRO TO JUDAISM FORMING!
Congrats to those that just concluded our latest Intro to Judaism class cycle! It was such a joy to study the history, culture, identity, and calendar of the Jewish people together. If you are looking for an Intro to Judaism class taught by a rabbi committed to the values of making Judaism accessible, relevant and empowering, join us! Classes are forming now!
Email Molly Flanagan of your interest at mflanagan@keepingitsacred.com.
Read more about it here: https://www.keepingitsacred.com/intro-to-judaism
SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
JUNE 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.
During our next meeting, we will continue reading Yentl's Revenge (link here: https://www.amazon.com/Yentls-Revenge-Next-Jewish-Feminism/dp/1580050573).
Please register here for our full schedule of chapters to cover: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
KITS CREATIVITY CLUB
JUNE 14TH - 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
TAMUZ ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW
JUNE 18TH - 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. We will continue our text with Chapter 5.
Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
FREEDOM SHABBAT
KEEPING IT SACRED IN WELLESLEY AND BOSTON, MA
Rabbi Miller recently traveled to Wellesley and Boston, MA, for her college reunion and to visit some of our KITS people in the area -- look at these amazing KITS community faces of people who live in Massachusetts or who were visiting there for reunion. In the photos you may recognize some of our KITS community speakers, members you have seen online, members who wrote amazing books we have featured, members who consistently join us in our zoom rooms, and our very own Digital Marketing Director, Molly Flanagan! THIS is community.
CONGRATS TO THE EAST WEST PLAYERS!
@eastwestplayers is an incredibly precious theatre company in Los Angeles that is the nation’s largest and longest running Asian American Theater. Last night, Rabbi Miller saw their final performance of their final show of their 60th year- David Wong’s reimagined Rogers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song. Attending at the invitation of @dan_sing_dan we gathered with some of the most dedicated social justice leaders in Los Angeles including @madamechang1 @pattigiggans and others. What a magical night in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles.
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.
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
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.
6/25 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.
6/29 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
10AM PT/1PM ET: Our Introduction to Judaism online course will give participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community. This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.
7/2 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.
7/2 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.
7/6 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
10AM PT/1PM ET: Our Introduction to Judaism online course will give participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community. This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.
7/9 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.
7/9 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.
7/12 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.
7/13 SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
4PM PT/7PM ET: Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining the KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy!
7/16 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW
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.
7/16 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.
7/16 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.
7/23 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.
7/23 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.
7/25 SINGALONG 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 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.
7/26 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.
7/27 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
10AM PT/1PM ET: Our Introduction to Judaism online course will give participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community. This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.
7/30 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.
7/30 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.
8/3 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
10AM PT/1PM ET: Our Introduction to Judaism online course will give participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community. This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.
8/6 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.
8/6 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.
8/9 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.
8/10 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
10AM PT/1PM ET: Our Introduction to Judaism online course will give participants a strong foundation for authentic and empowered engagement in the Jewish community. This 18-session program is the perfect introduction to Jewish living, theology, texts, history, holidays, and rituals.
8/10 SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
4PM PT/7PM ET: Are you interested in holding spiritual space for healing through reading and community? Then please consider joining the KITS Spiritual Gentleness Book Club (SGBC) led by members Ashleigh and Tracy!
8/13 ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW
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.
8/13 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.
8/13 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.
8/20 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.
8/20 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.
8/21 BACK TO SCHOOL 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 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.
8/23 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.
8/27 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.
8/27 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...
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…
