Ripples Across Oceans

Rabbi Heather Miller
Dec 13, 2025
13 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Newsletter December 14, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

The moment I stepped off the plane and jumped into the rental car, I headed to the one destination I’d been dreaming of for 34 years—Bondi Beach. Bondi Beach was the top destination I had wanted to visit ever since writing a report on Australia in 7th grade. I knew it as a place of surfing and dining, a place of shark sightings and the “other” side of the Pacific Ocean.

And it didn’t disappoint. It was a beautiful cove with a golden sand beach, crystal clear aqua-colored water, white birds zipping about under a beautiful blue sky. Street art covered the storm walls celebrating the local people and beach culture of the location. I stopped at a café for some breakfast served up by friendly Aussies who welcomed me and everyone else who visited their corner of the world.

Afterwards I visited a beautiful Reform synagogue there, Temple Emanuel, for Shavuot services. Armed guards met me at the gate and welcomed me having seen my name on the list their rabbi, my colleague, Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio, had provided. And as I entered the chapel, I felt a deep sense of connection. Connection to my people. Everywhere around the world, we are connected by culture, holidays, a system of ethics, and texts we hold so dear, we name them sacred.

That makes the news of the tragic shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach all the more devastating. Eleven lives were taken, with dozens more suffering bullet wounds, and all in the area left to grapple with the trauma. I heard on the news a Jewish woman named Hannah Freidman who said she found out that there was a shooting when her Christian friend, wearing a cross on her chest, came over and revealed that her 24 year old son had been shot. Even terror targeted at a specific group has all kinds of consequences beyond what a person or group might intend. The ripples of hatred travel far and wide. Even across oceans. I know I am feeling this grief on this “other” side of the Pacific, and you are as well. Blatant, violent antisemitism hits hard.

And, yet, great acts of heroism and humanity are to be celebrated and lifted up in gratitude. The bystanders who jumped in to care for the wounded, and give dignity to the dying. The first responders who rushed to the scene not knowing what would unfold next, simply to help.

And of course, we give thanks for Ahmed al Ahmed, a man whose heart was filled with the light of love. The light of the love of protection and regard for human life. He rushed in to disarm one of the two gunmen, and then took direct fire from the other gunman. Reports share that he was hit by bullets on his hand and shoulder. And thank goodness for his courage and bravery and love that prevailed over the shadows of hate that darkened the hearts of the shooters.

All of these stories of the ebb and flow of hatred and love ripple across oceans, landing at our shores. Time and time again. Relentless. Triggering. And all we can do is recognize and name what is happening in our hearts. The fear. The devastation. The despair. The endless questions about how to live as a Jewish and Jewish-loving community. And to look for safety and love within. Within our tradition. Within our tenderhearted community. To lift up all working for love and light to help magnify that, increasing goodness, understanding, and shared humanity in the world.

May the light of love soon prevail over the darkness of hate. We sure are working for that- that's how we’re keeping it sacred.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

This has been a special one-day early edition of the Keeping It Sacred weekly newsletter. May all injured in the attack experience a speedy and complete healing. And may the memories of the deceased be for a blessing.

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.

GET YOUR OFFICIAL KEEPING IT SACRED MUG

Do you like coffee? Tea? Or supporting your Keeping It Sacred community?

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!

DEI LUNCH & LEARN: RELIGION & CULTURE

Last week our own Rabbi Miller joined an interfaith panel with Professors Najeeba Syeed, Chris Stedman, and Matthew Maruggi of Augsburg University in a December DEI Lunch & Learn. They spoke on salient experiences in their spiritual lives and then reflected upon one another's stories in real time LIVE. In this way, they modeled for the 245 participants on the call an open model of interfaith sharing. Thank you, Rabbi Miller, for representing yourself, the KITS Community, and a Jewish voice so beautifully.

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.

Please vote for our next book here: https://forms.gle/V24fvpEWaeUHcRmz9

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 begin continue with Chapter 2. Please join us!

HANUKKAH PRAYER VIGIL FOR THOSE DISAPPEARED BY ICE

Please join us next Tuesday, December 16 at 12pm for a Jewish Community-led edition of the weekly Madrinas vigil at the Downtown Federal Bldg and Detention Center. Let’s stand in solidarity and pray for those kidnapped by ICE.

This was the vigil that takes place weekly planned by the Godmothers of the Disappeared: women of faith giving voice to those taken from us. Email us at info@keepingitsacred.com, if you plan to attend.

TORAH TOGETHER

Rabbi Miller writes, “Many thanks to Ammud, the Jews of Color Torah Collective, for hosting a beautiful evening of food and Torah in Los Angeles. I was proud to participate in the program along with my youngest son and our cherished member, Alpie, to create community and explore creating Torah spaces of inclusion, particularly for people of color. Personally, their staff has led my family through questions of race, culture and ethnicity. Please check out their work if you’re inclined at Ammud.org.”

THE LONGEST NIGHT: CANDLELIGHT

DECEMBER 21ST 5:30-7PM PT — Continuing our long standing Keeping It Sacred tradition, this year again, join us for an evening of remembrance and reflections as we honor the lives lost to homelessness. We gather each year on December 21, the literal longest night of the year-- the winter solstice. The longest night of challenge for the houseless community. The Longest Night at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church 31641 La Novia Ave. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwfB0TgvSiU&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fkeepingitsacred.com%2F

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

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.

12/18 HEALING CIRCLE