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At our Virtual Friday Night service on January 20th, Rabbi Lizzi spoke on this week’s parsha from Exodus, and explored the idea of plagues as a wakeup call. She also gave mini-drash on angels who perform a similar warning function in the Torah. For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar , and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Fol...

In honor of MLK Day weekend, Rabbi Lizzi welcomed beloved former Mishkan Davening Team member Rachel Goldberg, who is back from rabbinical school in Israel, to deliver a sermon connecting the ongoing struggle for justice in Israel and Palestine to the Exodus narrative in this week's parsha. For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar , and see our Accessibility &...

Today’s episode of Shabbat Replay is a new recording of Rabbi Lizzi’s drash from our Saturday Morning Shabbat service on January 7th. Her sermon addresses the themes of suffering and redemption in Parsahat Vayechi, as well as in the greatest masterpiece in modern cinema — Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar , and see our Accessibility...

On Friday, December 23rd, we had a lovely night of Chinese food and latkes planned for Erev Erev Christmas. But the blizzard blowing through Chicago crashed our party, so over a hundred Mishkanites gathered virtually to light candles and sing Hanukkah tunes. Today’s Shabbat Replay is the delightful message that Rabbi Deena delivered to kick things off, plus some singing featuring Rabbi Lizzi. Have...

At our December 16th service, Rabbi Lizzi delivered a drash on the endless debate over the true meaning of Hanukkah, the Jewish story’s cycle of violence and victimhood, and the coming AI apocalypse. Have you been inspired this year by the songs, sermons, and services from Mishkan on this very podcast? Then we invite you to consider a donation of any size to help us bring more inspiration in the n...

Today’s episode of Shabbat Replay is an inspiring sermon on the inclusive universality of the hanukkiah delivered by Rabbi Steven at our December 17th Saturday Morning Shabbat. Have you been inspired this year by the songs, sermons, and services from Mishkan on this very podcast? Then we invite you to consider a donation of any size to help us bring more inspiration in the new year. https://mishka...

At our December 9th Friday Night Shabbat service,  we welcomed back Rabbi Micah Shapiro, Mishkan's Musician-in-Residence. This episode is a lightly abbreviated version of the whole service. Check out the timecodes below if you’re looking for a particular song or moment. [00:20] “Down the Well” [01:35] Welcoming Message From R’Lizzi [05:08] “Nekadma Fanav” (Psalm 95:2) [10:48] “Tiferet” (Psalm...

At our December 3rd Saturday Morning Shabbat service, Rabbi Deena looked to "OG Torah Interpreter" Rashi for inspiration in doing the hard work of interpreting even hurtful actions in good faith. Looking for more musical Mishkan fun during the week? Come out to our Music Jam with R'Micah on Thursday night ! We'll be singing and getting ready for Shabbat together in the Mishkan...

"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 we have lost to violence in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Note: This sermon was written, recorded, and released before the events of November 19th in Colorado Springs, which only r...

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 to go forth into the wild unknown, we can find the inspiration we need to face our own future, calling, and journey. For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar , and see o...

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. Rabbi Steven's drash begins at 41:58. 0:00 — I Will Go Down To The Well 02:49 — Psalm 49:2 08:40 — Psalm 96:6 12:57 — Mizmor L'David 16:20 — Teaching by R'Micah 18:30 — Le...

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-American community organizer, spoken word poet, social justice educator, and musician. Read a transcript of this sermon on the Mishkan Blog . For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event cal...

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 5783, we encourage you to donate to Mishkan’s High Holiday campaign to help us continue creating radically inclusive Jewish spaces. Read a transcript of this sermon on the Mishkan Blog . For upco...

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 Mishkan’s High Holy Days services, we encourage you to donate to our High Holidays Campaign. We  have a number of exciting Sukkot activities planned this weekend! Join us for Friday Night Shabbat tonight, 1...

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 services, we encourage you to donate to our High Holidays Campaign. For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar , and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information abou...

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 by sages like Rabbi Eleazar who were no strangers to heartbreak themselves. This episode concludes with the Mishkan Davening Team's performance of "Crowded Table." If you have been...

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 touching welcome to our 36 “new Jews.” This recording is from Mishkan’s August 26th Friday Night Shabbat. Highlights : [01:57] R’Steven — Welcoming Message On Elul [06:00] Lechu Neranena [08:46] Mizmor l&a...

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 Second Unitarian, Rabbi Steven delivered a deeply personal drash reflecting on both the rally and the unforeseen course of his life. This sermon also contains a preview of Rabbi Steven's Rosh Hashan...

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 to conserving our world's resources? You could start by composting with WasteNot ! Spiritual Pre-Game: Prepping for the High Holidays https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/spiritual-...

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 the song Nachamu by Elana Arian, performed by New Moon Rising . For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar , and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about...

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, is a renowned artist and community activist. In recognition of this somber holiday commemorating the many exiles and tragedies of the Jewish people, Rabbi Lizzi and Pastah J spoke passionately on the...

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 participation of our Morning Minyan crew. Every weekday from 8 - 8:30 am , you can join us to start our day with a spiritual check-in with one of the Mishkan rabbis. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/su...

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! **** On July 22nd, the rain held off just long enough for us to get through our climate themed outdoor Friday Night Shabbat Service. Could it have been the work of our old friend Honi the Circle Maker? Listen on to Rabbi Deena’s drash...

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. Our upcoming July 22nd Friday Night Shabbat service will be outdoors at Francis W Parker, preceded by a Family Shabbat Picnic . We hope to see you there! Service Highlights: [00:45] — Angels Are Relen...

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 reached out to see if we could record the service. Thanks to the hard work of our Shabbat Producer Anna Gelman and our production team, we are able to provide this high quality recording of our June 24th,...