Contact Chai is Mishkan Chicago’s podcast feed, where you can hear our Shabbat sermons, Morning Minyans, interviews with Jewish thought leaders, and more.
"It has been another week..."
At our virtual service on November 18th, Rabbi Steven reflected on antisemitism in our community, mused on astrology, and commemorated the Trans and Non-binary siblings …
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our November 5th Saturday Morning service, featuring a sermon by Rabbi Steven on Parashat Lech Lecha. In examining Abram's brave decision to follow God’s call t…
At our Friday Night Shabbat service on October 28th, 2022, we were joined by R'Micah Shapiro, Mishkan's Musician-in-Residence. If you're looking for any song in particular, skip to a timecode below. …
At our October 14th Friday Night Shabbat service, we were joined by guest speaker Jonathan Mendoza to celebrate Sukkot and Hispanic Heritage Month. Mendoza is an award-winning Jewish and Mexican-Amer…
Rabbi Deena's sermon from Yom Kippur on bravely beginning new things, complete with her first live guitar performance — Sweet Caroline!
If you were moved by this or any other moment during Get Higher …
At Mishkan’s 5783 Kol Nidre service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon inviting us to call out “Hineni!” with Moshe and be fully present in every moment. If you have been moved by any of Mishk…
At Mishkan’s 5783 Rosh Hashanah service, Rabbi Steven delivered a stirring and deeply personal sermon reflecting on his recent divorce. If you have been moved by any of Mishkan’s High Holy Days servi…
At Mishkan's Erev Rosh Hashanah service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon on learning to live with the heartbreaking circumstances of this world by relying on the tradition passed down to us …
Today’s episode features Rabbi Lizzi’s sermon on the Hebrew month of Elul, as well as lovely singing by the Davening Team, a speech by Builder Jon Quinn, a eulogy to Rabbi Edward Feldheim, and a touc…
Following the vandalism of Second Unitarian Church, Rabbi Steven spoke at a rally in solidarity with our interfaith partner and in support of abortion rights. Then, at our September 9th service at Se…
Thou shalt not let a good thing go to waste! At our September 3rd service, R'Deena delivered a drash on the principle of Bal Tashchit, or, literally, "Do Not Waste." How can we live a life dedicated …
Today’s episode is a drash from our Virtual Friday Night Shabbat on August 19th. Rabbi Deena spoke about the difficult task of comforting others the way God comforts us. This episode also features th…
On Sunday, August 7th, Rabbi Lizzi led an interfaith Tisha B’Av service with Pastor Jonathan Brooks of Lawndale Community Christian Church. Pastor Jonathan, or Pastah J as he is affectionately known,…
Today’s episode is a discussion between Rabbi Lizzi and Russ Linden, author of “Loss and Discovery: What the Torah Can Teach Us about Leading Change.” The interview was conducted with the active part…
High Holidays are just around the corner, and Mishkan Builders will have early access to tickets. Join or renew today before early access tickets go live next week!
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On July 22nd, the rain held of…
At our Friday Night Shabbat service on July 15th, Rabbi Lizzi spoke about her trip to Israel, gave an impromptu explanation of the role of angels in our tradition, and, of course, sang several songs.…
Shortly before our June 24th Friday Night Shabbat service, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Because we were unable to livestream from our outdoor venue, a number of you in our community reac…
Mishkan invites you to our upcoming Pride programming, including a Pre-Shabbat Pride Happy Hour and Pride-Themed Friday Night Shabbat on June 24th. We will also be in the Chicago Pride Parade on June…
Obviously, Judaism is more than a little gay. But that's just modern Judaism, right? Wrong! Rabbi Steven delivered a delightful drash "Judaism Is Kinda Gay" in honor of Pride exploring three queer Je…
"I love you / You love me / We're a happy family!"
It's in your head, now. Or, like the endless loop of school shootings on the news night after night, maybe it never left. And perhaps, infuriatingly…