The Veil

Rabbi Heather Miller
Dec 7, 2025
14 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Newsletter December 8, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

Today is Leo's birthday! And what an awe-some experience it was to witness his first breaths, the first moments he opened his eyes and found me there to welcome him to the world. After the doctor, of course! I remember distinctly my first words upon seeing him, after a huge gasp, were, "He looks just like Melissa!" It was so incredible.

Yesterday, I replayed the video footage from his first 20 minutes alive and my voice was almost unrecognizable. I was just so incredibly choked up at the amazing experience of it all, even as Melissa did the hard work of this birth. Or, maybe because I wasn't the one on the hospital bed, I was able to take in his birth with a fresh perspective?

I have been privileged to join many couples at the hospital in the moments after the birth of a new baby. Each one special. Brimming with potential. Each one a universe unto themselves.

On the other end of the spectrum of life, this past week we also experienced a death in our community. The mother of Sue Riesz, Roslyn Lange z"l, passed unexpectedly at the age of 102 this past week. And, while I was not bedside with her as she passed (she was in Florida), I have been there at the side of people as they took their last breaths. The moments just before, especially, are sacred moments to be with them as they approach The Mystery.

Two ends of the spectrum. Two sides of the same coin. One coming into being, one going out from existence. Each passing through what the rabbis called "the veil" that separates this world from that which is before, and that which is after.

Shortly after my stepdad Mike passed, and my mom was moving out of the home they shared, someone expressed an "ick" feeling thinking of whomever comes to live in that space where someone died. And my mom casually remarked, "but it's no different than if someone gave birth there." And the words are so true. Again, it is just a place where someone transitioned from one side of "the veil" to the other.

Whenever I see roadside memorials, I think of them as places where people passed through the veil. Or anytime I go into hospitals in general, I know people have breathed their last breath there. And on another floor, people have breathed their first breaths there. The cycle of life. In one space. Sacred space.

So, the question is, what do we do while we are on this side of the veil? Can we humble ourselves amidst the holiness of it all?

Keeping It Sacred is a community where we can explore these ideas, and hold space for births and deaths and everything in-between. Thank you for making it so.

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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.

FAIR GAMES COALITION GATHERS

Members of the Fair Games Coalition gathered at the LA28 offices in Downtown Los Angeles. Rabbi Miller represented us as we are members of CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice). CLUE was joined by members of our longtime partners, NDLON, PWC, UNITE HERE 11, CARECEN, LAANE, and others, united out of concern for the heightened presence of ICE in Los Angeles ahead of the games. United to say that the safety and dignity of our immigrant communities must not be compromised. And, asking for LA28 to commit to keeping ICE and all other immigration enforcement agencies away from the games and out of the region. It is affecting people's livelihoods, the flow of business, and is just plain scary.

Our Rabbi Miller and Rev. Eddie Andersen of McCarty Memorial Christian Church were tasked with delivering the letter to those in the offices, and the photo above shows them speaking with the head of security for the building. The group was able to deliver the message outside of the building with clergy highlighting the biblical imperative to welcome the stranger and love one's neighbor.

For coverage, please see: https://www.torched.la/why-wont-la28-support-las-immigrants/

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!

SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB

TODAY DECEMBER 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.

TORAH TOGETHER:

AN EVENING OF JOY, FOOD, AND WRESTLING WITH ANGELS

TOMORROW NIGHT: DECEMBER 9TH 7:30-9PM PT — For Jews of Color and their loved ones in Culver City! Come gather with Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy for a night of creative storytelling, soulful stagecraft, and delicious dinner. We'll learn, laugh, and lift each other up—celebrating the magic of JOC Torah and the truth that Torah belongs to us. Come meet new and old friends as Ammud launches programs in L.A. The memorable evening will be led by Rabbi Sass Brown, Program Director at Ammud, and rabbinical student Rebeca Carrillo, Ammud's Rabbinic Intern.

This program is open to adults who identify as Jews of Color and their loved ones who might not identify as Jews of Color.

Please RSVP below. Space is limited, so sign up today!

TEVET ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK CLUB

NEW BOOK! JUMP IN and JOIN US! 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.

DECEMBER 11TH 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 with the prologue and chapter 1. Please join us!

KITS CREATIVITY CLUB

DECEMBER 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.

Bring something creative to work on, as we engage the day's theme. We will start lighting our candles for Hanukkah on the 25th of Kislev, which lands on the evening of 12/14. So when we gather earlier that day, please bring one or more of your Hanukkiot (Hanukkah menorahs) to show us and share their stories.

Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming

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.

HAVE YOU HEARD?

Have You Heard about what's new in the KITS Newsletter?

We're launching a new column to highlight exciting things that people in the KITS community are doing, to raise awareness of important new publications, Jewish social justice resources, and so on. We're calling this column Have You Heard? and we look forward to hearing from you!

This week, we are hearing from KITS community member River Mudgett of Austin, TX. River recently published a commentary on Parashat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4–36:43) in the Disability Torah Project. River's commentary is titled "Jacob, Esau, and Access Intimacy" and can be read at https://www.disabilitytorahproject.org/writings/vayishlach-5786

Congratulations River!

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.

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.

12/8 SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOKCLUB

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.

12/11 TEVET ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW

Thursdays at 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.

12/11 HEALING CIRCLE