Until We Are All Free
- Rabbi Heather Miller
- Jan 18
- 16 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Newsletter January 19, 2026 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and in honor of that, our beloved Keeping It Sacred member and expert in trafficking, Wendy Stiver,* has written the following to raise awareness on the subject. Today is also the birthday of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and he was dedicated to lifting people out of oppression into the fullness of human dignity. In his honor do we also share these remarks. This is how we're keeping it sacred.
Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
Rabbi Heather Miller
Founder, Keeping It Sacred
UNTIL WE ARE ALL FREE
by Wendy Stiver
One of the most central themes woven throughout the liturgical, artistic, and literary narratives of our existence and identity as Jews is the story of the Exodus. We were once slaves, and God led us to freedom. Most of us know the inspiring words of "Mi Chamocha" and the gripping saga recounted each Passover. It was Jewish poet Emma Lazarus who wrote "Until we are all free, we are none of us free" ("Epistle to the Hebrews,"1883): words that would inspire Civil Rights icons such as Fannie Lou Hamer, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Maya Angelou.
It is fitting then that we acknowledge that modern slavery is alive and well, in every part of the world, and exploiting tech innovations to increase profits. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, as numerous organizations and political entities try to raise awareness of the scourge of human trafficking in 2026. Human traffickers target vulnerable persons of all ages, ethnicities, gender orientations, places of origin, education, and religion in order to use force, fraud, and/or coercion to monetize that person's body, labor, kidney, or God knows what else. It is difficult to obtain accurate data re the scope and prevalence of human trafficking in the United States and other countries, and since 2025, cuts in governmental departments and programs that played leading roles in the anti-trafficking fight have made this work more difficult for those of us in the field.
Of course, in the U.S., the ongoing controversy around the sex trafficking network of Jeffrey Epstein has raised public awareness of child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. This is only one horrific part of the human trafficking world: labor trafficking, organ trafficking, embryo and infant trafficking, domestic servitude, forced marriage of minors, child soldiering, sports trafficking, benefits trafficking of the elderly and disabled, and even wildlife trafficking happens in our own back yards.
That said, how has the Jewish community and Judaism writ large responded to human trafficking? Jewish values of tzedek (justice) and chesed (compassion) have driven us to advocate for strong anti-trafficking laws, services for survivors, and participation in a variety of interfaith and NGO coalitions. Some examples include the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the Jewish Coalition Against Trafficking (JCAT), the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), and T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.
We are commanded to strive for justice and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us remember that we are still not free because too many of us are enslaved.
* Wendy Stiver, RN, CCM, BSN, MA has been a registered nurse since 1981, and has been active in cultural competence training, anti-racism curriculum development, and anti-trafficking research and education for decades. She is a Research Scholar with the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars and has published on this topic as well as domestic violence, ethical concerns of using AI in qualitative research, and numerous topics of oncology nursing. She works in strategic analysis and leadership in the nonprofit NGO up! Collective.
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
SPIRITUAL GENTLENESS BOOK CLUB
FEBRUARY 9TH 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 explores 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.
We are now reading Heart of a Stranger by Angela Buchdahl. We will review Chapters 7-19 on February 9th. Please join us.
KITS CREATIVITY CLUB
JANUARY 25TH 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.
For our KITS Creativity Club on January 25th, we will celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for the Trees, which is February 2 this year. Everyone bring a favorite poem, reading, or song about trees or fruit, and some fruit and nuts to munch."
Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
ADAR ROSH CHODESH RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK REVIEW
FEBRUARY 19TH 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.
During this session we will continue with chapter 3 of our study text,
In Open Contempt by Irvin Weathersby Jr.
Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
REPRO RIGHTS STUDY SESSION
FEBRUARY 13TH 10AM PT/1PM ET – Save the Date! Keeping It Sacred joins dozens of communities around the US for a discussion on the intersection between Jewish values and Reproductive rights. Come explore what the sages had to say about the start of life, protecting the health of the pregnant person, and more.
Please join us. Register here: keepingitsacred.com/upcoming
A CALL TO MINNEAPOLIS
There is a massive mobilization effort for clergy and people of faith to gather in Minneapolis 1/23 (this Friday): https://www.marchminnesota.org
For those in the area and those planning to travel, please let Rabbi Miller know too if you'd like to be connected with people in our KITS network. Please email rabbimiller@keepingitsacred.com.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF REV. JERRELL WALLS
Rabbi Miller writes:
"My dear friend, Rev. Jerrell Walls, passed today after a two-week illness and hospitalization. It is a deep loss as he and I advocated for the LGBTQ+ community together and often through the LAQUICC (LA Queer Interfaith Clergy Council). Once, when we were at a rally, we were interviewed by a right-wing podcast influencer and I was so proud of our calm under pressure, our humanity in the face of those who would deny our dignity, and the ensuing hate mail. We were a beautiful team emphasizing love and affirmation.
Once, at LA PRIDE, he and I spoke just before Mariah Carey was to perform and he was encouraging of my kid to give a hearty "amen" onstage after our remarks. I will miss seeing him at quiet organizing meetings or large press conferences, as at each, he and I would always share a solid nod of acknowledgement and pride in each others religious convictions for goodness to prevail, and love to win. I will miss him dearly and the loss is a loss to our entire Keeping It Sacred and human community. Rest in Peace, dear Jerrell. And may God comfort all who mourn you, especially your loving husband who you adored, John F Reiss."
Please read this beautiful article, published just past year, on Rev. Walls: https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-jerrell-walls-of-north-hollywood/
37TH SURGERY ANNIVERSARY
Rabbi Miller shares:
"This Shabbat I’m saying extra blessings of gratitude - 37 years ago this week, I had a dangerous 16cm teratoma tumor removed from my left ovary- and while they were in there, they took out my appendix! As always, all thanks to the doctors and nurses and volunteers at Tarzana Hospital for their expertise and care, and for letting me watch MTV at 5am. Grateful for everyday."
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.
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT KEEPING IT SACRED?
The best part of our community are our people. So, for our Keeping It Sacred 5 year anniversary, Rabbi Miller asked these members to share their thoughts on our community. These videos were shared at our celebration, and now you have the chance to see what people are saying in full HERE!
Or, you can click on the links below to hear from each of the participants. MAZAL TOV to everyone in the KITS global community for building this community by, with, and for one another!
Together, we're #keepingitsacred...
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.
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.
2/05 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.
2/05 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.
2/08 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.
2/09 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.
2/12 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.
2/12 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.
2/13 REPRO RIGHTS STUDY SESSION – 10AM PT -- Save the Date! Keeping It Sacred joins dozens of communities around the US for a discussion on the intersection between Jewish values and Reproductive rights. Come explore what the sages had to say about the start of life, protecting the health of the pregnant person, and more.
2/19 ADAR 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
2/19 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.
2/19 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.
2/22 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.
2/26 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.
2/26 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.
2/28 MORNING 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.
3/05 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.
3/05 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.
3/08 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.
3/09 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.
3/12 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.
3/12 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.
3/19 NISAN 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
3/19 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.
3/19 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.
3/20 QUEEN'S 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.
3/26 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.
3/26 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…
