Contact Chai

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.

Transcript

Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service from October 24th when Rabbi Lizzi delivered a sermon on the original iconoclast, Avram the idol smasher. When we follow the example of Abraham of bucking convention to do what is right, life won't be easy, but that authenticity allows us to partner with God in creating a new world.

If you haven't already, please smash that subscribe button and leave us a five star review wherever you listen. And consider donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign to partner in the work of creating down-to-earth...

Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service from October 16th when Rabbi Julie delivered a drash on the story of Noah. Scholars allege that the biblical flood may have taken inspiration from the Epic of Gilgamesh, but its intended message appears to be quite distinct from other ancient deluge tales. What does the unfolding saga of Genesis teach us about humanity's relationship with our Creator?

We have appreciated your flood of ratings and reviews — keep 'em coming! Although preferably not by twos...We'll take five stars, please. Those reviews really help people find these doses of...

Rabbi Lizzi is joined by Alex Sinclair, noted Israeli academic and celebrated author who was detained for wearing a kippah with both Israeli and Palestinian flags.

Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired...

Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on October 10th, when Rabbi Steven delivered a drash reflecting on the polarized reception to an October 7th vigil attended by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  Did the mayor's statements downplay the suffering of Israelis or did they dismiss the oppression Palestinians? Both? Neither? The answer may lie in the very first chapter of Genesis.

Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, c...

On the anniversary of October 7th, we gathered to reflect on poetry and prayers written about the evil endured on this day, the cruelties inflicted afterward, and our undying hope for peace.

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.

Transcript

You can watch our Yizkor service and slideshow from Yom Kippur 5787 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlcUpDVahWE

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.

Transcript

The year is new but the problems are ancient! At Yom Kippur 5787, Rabbi Lizzi looked to Torah and tradition for precedent and prescriptions for our modern woes.

Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth...

At our Kol Nidre service, Rabbi Steven examined the growing divisions tearing the Jewish people apart and drew from history to offer a path forward.

Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

***

For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

Today's episode features "Ki Anu Amecha" by RAZA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=linLj6DW8LM

Registration is open for High Holidays at Mishkan! Whether you attend in-person or via our affordable, state-of-the-art livestream, you can count on Mishkan’s High Holiday services to strengthen and inspire you as we face a new year of...

At our Rosh Hashanah 5787 service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon on the lessons our ancestors provide us in this fraught political moment.

Join us for the High Holy Days! Whether you attend in-person or via our affordable, state-of-the-art livestream, you can count on Mishkan’s High Holiday services to strengthen and inspire you as we face a new year of challenges and opportunities. Tickets go fast, so save your seat today!

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/high-holy-days-5787/

Transcript

In her inaugural High Holiday sermon at Mishkan, Rabbi Julie Fishbach delivered a surprising drash on the history of prayer.

Join us for the High Holy Days! Whether you attend in-person or via our affordable, state-of-the-art livestream, you can count on Mishkan’s High Holiday services to strengthen and inspire you as we face a new year of challenges and opportunities. Tickets go fast, so save your seat today!

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/high-holy-days-5787/

Transcript

In this special episode recovered from The Mishkan Vault, Rabbi Lizzi speaks with renowned tech entrepreneur Harry Gottlieb about the spiritual technology of teshuvah and the power of the High Holidays in our modern world. 

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Rosh Hashanah is this Saturday, September 12th! Whether you attend in-person or via our affordable, state-of-the-art livestream, you can count on Mishkan’s High Holiday services to strengthen and inspire you as we face a new year of challenges and opportunities. Tickets go fast, so save your seat today!

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/high-holy-days-5787/

Pro...

Rabbi Lizzi read a passage on Selichot from Rabbi Alan Lew's classic This is Real And You Are Completely Unprepared, prompting a vulnerable discussion on how hard it feels to enter the High Holidays this year.

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

Registration is open for High Holidays at Mishkan! Whether you attend in-person or via our affordable, state-of-the-art livestream, you can count...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

Registration is open for High Holidays at Mishkan! Whether you attend in-person or via our affordable, state-of-the-art livestream, you can count on Mishkan’s High Holiday services to strengthen and inspire you as we face a new year of challenges and opportunities. Tickets go fast, so save your seat today!

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/high-holy-days-5787/

Pr...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

This episode features Achat Sha'alti (A Setting of Psalm 27) by Chava Mirel.

youtube.com/watch?v=olqBdmrwkhQ

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by becoming a Builder. Mishkan Chicago relies on Builders, people who have chosen to invest in the longterm sustainability of our community. If you’ve...

Like the mighty Leviathan, Adira rises from the depths to sow adorable chaos. Plus, reflections on the Psalms, media consumption, and Parshat Shoftim.

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by becoming a Builder. Mishkan Chicago relies on Builders, people who have chosen to invest in the longterm sustainability of...

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on August 7th, when we celebrated our graduating BluePrint students who explored Judaism this past year, many of them going on to choose conversion. We heard a drash from BluePrint graduate Manuel Gauto the allure of Judaism and how Mishkan has become a spiritual home. If Mishkan is your home, we encourage you to help us secure its future by joining or renewing your Buildership today.

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see ou...

When did ancient Paleo-Hebrew script start to look like modern Hebrew letters? When did Judaism as we know it begin to take shape? Rabbi Simcha (Steven) Bob joins Rabbi Lizzi to explore these and so many more questions found in his new book When Judaism Began: Exploring the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

The music that opens and ends this episode is Micah Shapiro's "Mah Gadlu/Mikolot Mayim Rabim." We will be singing this tune at services tonight (8/7/2026) and over the High Holidays!

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration...

Hello and welcome to Contact Chai. Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on Saturday, August 1st. We heard a guest drash from Irwin Lowenstein on the challenge of abundance. Sometimes, getting what we want is hard to accept, and harder still to accept that we didn’t really earn our blessings. If you’ve been blessed by this community, we ask you to consider giving out of a sense of abundance to sustain it by becoming a Builder. There’s a link to join or renew in the show notes.

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/even...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by becoming a Builder. Mishkan Chicago relies on Builders, people who have chosen to invest in the longterm sustainability of our community. If you’ve been checking out the community, we invite you to take the next step and become a Builder to help us we...

This evening marks the beginning of Tisha b'Av, and in recognition, today's episode is a re-release of Rabbi Lizzi's Tisha b'Av sermon from 2022 at an interfaith service with our longtime partners, Lawndale Community Christian Church on the West Side of Chicago. On August 2nd, we will join our friends from Lawndale for a special screening of "A Time To Yell," an award-winning documentary about the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. As we remember this tragic episode, we will build solidarity between our communities, reflecting on the mutual threat white nationalists pose to the safety and thriving of...

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our Pride Shabbat service on June 26th. We held an auf ruf for Team Mishkan’s own Michael Palmer and Jane Mintz. Then, we heard a special Pride guest drash from teen Daniel Kutcher and their parents (Matt Kutcher & Rebecca Richards). From all of us at Mishkan Chicago — happy Pride.

01:09 — Auf Ruf of Michael Palmer & Jane Mintz

09:35 — Lecha Dodi to Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

14:58 — Lecha Dodi to Born This Way by Lady Gagaa

18:27 — Guest Drash by Daniel Kutcher, Matt Kutcher, and Rebecca Richards

If you va...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by becoming a Builder. Mishkan Chicago relies on Builders, people who have chosen to invest in the longterm sustainability of our community. If you’ve been checking out the community, we invite you to take the next step and become a Builder to help us we...

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on June 20th. Rabbi Steven reflected on Juneteenth and America’s history of slavery through the lens of Exodus. Moses is portrayed as exceptionally bold in making demands of those in power in his fight to liberate his people. Moses even stood up to God! Maybe we’re not quite up to that level of chutzpah. But how can we boldly speak up for the dignity of all?

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by becoming a Builder. Mishkan Chicag...

Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by becoming a Builder. Mishkan Chicago relies on Builders, people who have chosen to invest in the longterm sustainability of our community. If you’ve been checking out the community, we invite you to take the next step and become a Builder to help us we...

Hello and welcome to Contact Chai. Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on June 12th when Rabbi Steven delivered a sermon deflating the naive notion that progress is inevitable rather than the product of hard fought victories, like our spiritual ancestors setting out to vanquish Canaan who we read about in the parsha or our queer ancestors who struggled against bigotry who we honor during Pride month. How will we promise to carry forward a legacy of courage?

If you value this down-to-earth Jewish wisdom, help us create more inspiration and community by be...

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on June 6th. If you somehow missed the news, Rabbi Lizzi met the pope. The Vatican is not short supply of lavish iconography, and it got her thinking about the different relationships our traditions have with religious imagery. Because while Judaism is on guard against anything that smacks of idolatry, we have sacred symbols of our own. Can our reverence for these symbols as Jewish people or Americans border on idolatry?

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & In...

Today’s sermon is a Shabbat Replay of our Shavuot Shabbat service. We were joined by acclaimed author Rodger Kamenetz who served as our scholar-in-residence during Shavuot. Rodger delivered a sermon on the poetry of Torah. What sacred meaning can we uncover when we appreciate the artistic flourishes in the TaNaKh?

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired Ju...

Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on May 16th in which Rabbi Lizzi drashed on the Counting of the Omer and the lead-up to Shavuot. Unfortunately, we had some technical problems at the service, but R' Lizzi was kind enough to re-record!

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired Judaism, we invite you to join...

Following Morning Minyan, Rabbi Lizzi sat down with Nigel Savage to discuss Jewish Climate Trust, a new initiative to organize the resources of the Jewish community toward meeting the moment on climate change.

Nigel is the founding CEO of Jewish Climate Trust, a “think-and-do tank” working to catalyze the Jewish community’s response to the climate crisis; he was previously the founder of Hazon (now Adamah) which under his leadership became the largest environmental organization in the Jewish community. He has twice been named a member of the Forward 50 and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the...

Rabbi Lizzi sits down with Alan Morinis, author of the enormously popular and profound "Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar."

Read more about Alan and purchase his latest book "The Shabbat Effect" at the link below.

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/shabbat-effect-9798881807870/

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired Judaism, we invite...

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on May 8th when we heard a guest drash from Builder Ricky Halle-Podell. As part of our Sober Shabbat in which we had a sober kiddush, Ricky spoke on his own sobriety journey, offering insights into the spiritual practices of recovery programs which we can all learn from.

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important wo...

Rodger Kamenetz is the award-winning author of The Jew In The Lotus, and he will be joining us in two weeks for Shavuot to teach several programs on spirituality, creativity, and encountering the divine in our daily lives. Rabbi Lizzi spoke with Rodger during Morning Minyan — this is your chance to get to know him before he joins us in-person May 21st - 23rd!

Read more about and purchase Rodger's latest book, Seeing Into the Life of Things, to prepare for our learning with him:

https://kamenetz.com/seeing-into-the-life-of-things/

See our Shavuot Programming:

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on May 2nd. Rabbi Lizzi delivered a drash on a criminal trial recorded in the Torah. The judgment was capital punishment, but new light is shed on the accused’s motivation and state of mind by later Rabbinic commentary, reminding us to interrogate our assumptions and seek a second opinion.

We could use your judgment, commentary, and opinion. Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our...

In this special Morning Minyan, Rabbi Lizzi is joined by Jerusalem-based thought leader, spiritual activist, and author Yiscah Smith for a discussion of her new book, Planting Seeds of the Divine: Torah Commentaries. Yiscah will be returning to Chicago for Pride Weekend in June and doing an in-person talk at Mishkan, so this minyan is a teaser for that visit, as well as a spiritual boost to enliven your day!

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram...

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on April 24th. We had not one but two guest drashers: Alana Sindelar and Gabi Finkelstein, MishTeens about to graduate high school and Mishkan's Cohen Kadima Program! Let them know you enjoyed their sermon in your five star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

You can learn more about the Cohen Kadima for middle and high schoolers here:

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/kids-families/family-programs/cohen-kadima/

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For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & In...

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld made Jewish anxiety funny for a broad audience, but for many Jews, it’s just reality. Why? How did this happen? And what if we don’t actually want that anxious inheritance? In a special Morning Minyan, Rabbi Lizzi was joined by Rabbi Dr. Caryn Aviv for a discussion of her new book, "Unlearning Jewish Anxiety." Caryn is Rabbinic Director at Judaism Your Way in Denver, CO. She’s a recovering academic in sociology and Jewish studies, and a (mostly) formerly anxious Jew. 

For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calenda...

In this special Yom haAtzma'ut episode of Contact Chai, Rabbi Lizzi interviews Orly Erez Likhovski, Executive Director of the Israeli Religious Action Center, which fights for religious freedom and pluralism, equality in gender and sexuality, and ending legal and systemic racism in Israel.

https://www.irac.org/our-work

To get on IRAC's newsletter:
https://www.irac.org/sign-up

IRAC Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6iE7brKmaVuTI8Dwy5YZy3?si=pg068k0YRN-8RU7J-9h8DQ&nd=1&dlsi=44d5dd8543ac4319

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For upcoming Shabbat services and...