Publicize the Miracle

Newsletter December 16th, 2024 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

One of the great Jewish traditions during Hanukkah is lighting the menorah (or Hanukkiah) in the window with the explicit intention of publicizing the miracle. But why is this act so important? Why must the miracle be shared with the world? And what significance does publicity hold in Judaism?

In the Talmud (Shabbat 23b), Rava teaches that if a person has enough money for either Hanukkah candles or Shabbat kiddush wine, they should prioritize the candles. Why? Because it’s through the lighting of the candles — publicizing the miracle — that we share the story of the Temple’s desecration, and its eventual rededication. Rava’s message is that something holy occurs when we give voice to the struggles we’ve overcome.

When I read stories of triumph, I often find myself sensitized to the challenges others face, which I may not have even been aware of, and this deepens my compassion. When a story of challenge culminates in success, it inspires me. I believe Rava wanted to encourage people to share these kinds of miracles because, through them, we build a tenderhearted, and empowered community. The visibility of positive change allows it to be noticed, acknowledged, and valued, creating ripples of transformation in the world.

This week, we experienced our own kind of miracle — one of visibility and amplification. Vogue Magazine and vogue.com / @Vogueweddings, with tens of millions of print and online readers, published not one, but two stories featuring our very own members.

The first story highlighted Tracy Cox, co-leader of the Spiritual Gentleness Book Club which meets bi-weekly Mondays at 2:30pm PT/5:30pm ET (register HERE). You also know her if you attended Yom Kippur morning services with us this year when she delivered a stirring sermon anthem as a duet with her fiancé and our amazing High Holy Day Cantorial Soloist, Rachel Rothman. 

In Vogue, Tracy was featured as a model for a designer at Parsons School of Design in an article focused on the importance of honoring diversity in fashion. She is known in the industry for her thoughtfulness, principled activism, and her leading role in the fat liberation movement. Tracy’s appearance in Vogue is a powerful moment, amplifying her voice for good in the world. You can learn more about her incredible work through her amazing Instagram entries HERE. She speaks about weight stigma in the performing arts, the medical field, and in society in general. Hers is a voice to be heard! 

The very next day, Vogue.com published (and soon, it will be on @vogueweddings) a beautiful feature on a same-sex wedding I officiated — that of our incredible Keeping It Sacred members, Kim Culmone and Stacy Zosky. This couple, intentional in every aspect of their lives, embodies purpose and love, and their story of love across great distances and through the challenges of homophobia and personal awakenings. The article details the epic celebration (and trust me when I confirm, it was epic!) against a backdrop of the queer fight for legal marriage and other rights. You can read the full story HERE. Theirs is a story of love triumphing over challenge with a beautifully happy ending- or, since this was their wedding, I should say, happy beginning!

Both of these stories, featured in one of the most influential magazines in the world, carry tremendous impact. 

I can recall stories throughout my life that have had a transformational effect on me. As a queer person, simply seeing someone else happy in the way I wanted to be was deeply encouraging. And in other areas of my life, too, knowing that someone overcame challenges I faced, gave me hope. 

This week, the stories of our members — who are offering empowerment, inspiration, and courage — were shared with the world. And that kind of visibility makes our work even more impactful.

The amplification of our community members’s voices reaches far beyond our typical circles. In a world where publicizing miracles can be a powerful tool for change, these stories are a testament to the impact of sharing our own light with the world.

I love all of the ways our members are sharing their stories and sharing their light- at this season of Hanukkah and always!

Publicizing the transformative stories of our lives is how we’re keeping it sacred.

Together, we’re keeping it sacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

Below: Mazal Tov, Kim & Stacy! Strike that pose, Tracy! (click on their names for the links in Vogue).

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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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