Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Contact Chai
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surprise Inspiration (Vayishlach) | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:30:43 | |
Get your holiday shopping done at Mishkan's first-ever Hanukkah Market! Come early to services on Friday, December 12th, at Second Unitarian to browse Judaica, jewelry, and crafts made by Mishkanite artists while sipping wine and schmoozing with friends. The market begins at 5:30 pm. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/mishkan-hanukkah-market-2025/ Today's Morning Minyan features the BimBam video "Who Did Jacob Actually Wrestle?" by author Dara Horn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc2UAY6h7PI 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 Want to support what we do? Become a Builder or donate today! https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Maintaining Humanity in Times of Crisis | 22 Nov 2025 | 00:16:53 | |
Some of you may remember Julie Fishbach from Davening Team or recall her spot-on impression of Rabbi Lizzi in Purim spiels over the years. Julie is also one of many, many Mishkanites who have gone on to attend rabbinical school — including Rabbi Steven. At our November 21st service, Julie made her triumphant Mishkan return as a visiting scholar, delivering the evening’s drash. It’s pretty incredible how much this community has grown over the years since Julie and the early generations of Mishkanites. But it’s no mystery how it happened. That growth was made possible your support. Please, consider donating at the link below. And if you could take just thirty seconds to leave a review of this podcast and share it with a friend, it would help us immensely. Thank you! https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Floodwaters and ICE | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:33:07 | |
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 Want to support what we do? Become a Builder or donate today! https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Labor Rights, Labor Rights You Shall Pursue? | 09 Sep 2024 | 00:17:19 | |
At our September 7th Saturday morning service, we were honored to hear from Mishkanites Frank and Margarita Klein, some of the foremost champions of labor rights in Chicago. They spoke to our tradition’s evolving concept of justice and equality, from the Torah to the Talmud to mystical texts and the modern day. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Rosh Chodesh Elul: Psalms of Wonder, Loss, and Transformation | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:43:47 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Morning Minyan with Rabbi Lizzi — Re'eh, Poverty, and Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks | 28 Aug 2024 | 00:39:15 | |
Read or listen to the teaching by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks referenced in this episode here: Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Josh VanArsdall: An Atheist's Conversion To Judaism | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:16:16 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our August 23rd Friday Night Shabbat service, where we celebrated our BluePrint graduates — those who have undergone Mishkan’s conversion program. We were honored to hear a drash by Josh VanArsdall, a new Jew who shared how, despite his atheism, nevertheless felt compelled little by little to join the Jewish people out of a love of learning. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Morning Minyan: You Will Eat And Be Satisfied — Parashat Eikev | 21 Aug 2024 | 00:44:50 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We Are Commanded To Love | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:16:57 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our Saturday Morning service on August 17th. The saddest day of the Jewish calendar is followed by one of the most joyous. In this moving sermon, Rabbi Steven examined why this is and how the abundant love of Tu B’Av can overcome the excessive hatred behind the tragedies of Tisha B’Av. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay: Tu B'Av — Love is All You Need | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:45:29 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Repetition Compulsion — Tisha B'Av | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:29:54 | |
At our August 9th Friday night service, Rabbi Lizzi spoke on the power of Tisha B’Av to lend us a space to mourn and process all that we have lost, both in ancient times and today. How can this holiday which appears so pessimistic — at least in comparison to the largely optimistic Jewish calendar — actually nourish our souls? Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Tisha B'Av | 07 Aug 2024 | 00:40:45 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| City of Refuge: Balancing Justice and Compassion | 05 Aug 2024 | 00:17:28 | |
At our August 3rd Saturday morning service, Rabbi Steven delivered a drash about the biblical concept of the city of refuge, places where those accused of manslaughter could seek asylum. In a modern context, how do we balance justice and compassion or employ both the righteous anger of protest and the need for strategic compromise? Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| In The Beginning… There Were No Kings | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:26:03 | |
The night before a contingent of Mishkanites joined the massive October 18th, 2025 No Kings March, Rabbi Lizzi gave us some framing for the longstanding Jewish rejection of the idea that any person or people is greater than another. In the beginning, there were no kings. So, how did we end up in this mess? And what can we do about it? Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay w/ Rabbi Lizzi — In Memory of Joshua Abraham Chaidell | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:29:24 | |
July is Builder Renewal season! Buildership powers this community and makes it possible for us to bring you services, education, podcasts, and so much more. If you are a Builder at Mishkan, we can’t wait for you to renew your commitment. Not a Builder yet? We invite you to join the community as a Builder. Not in Chicagoland? Join the 10% of our Builder community who live outside of Illinois. It would be an honor to take the next step on your Jewish journey with you. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Live From Jerusalem — Minyan Replay w/ Rabbi Lizzi & Rachel Goldberg! | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:40:14 | |
July is Builder Renewal season! Buildership powers this community and makes it possible for us to bring you services, education, podcasts, and so much more. If you are a Builder at Mishkan, we can’t wait for you to renew your commitment. Not a Builder yet? We invite you to join the community as a Builder. Not in Chicagoland? Join the 10% of our Builder community who live outside of Illinois. It would be an honor to take the next step on your Jewish journey with you. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Torah For Donkeys | 21 Jul 2024 | 00:09:36 | |
While the founding and associate rabbis are afar, R'Ari and Eli Newell will d'var — and donkeys will preach, too! What wisdom can we glean from looking at the Torah through a multitude of unlikely lenses, even that of a donkey? Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay w/ Rabbi Steven: Parshat Chukat | 11 Jul 2024 | 00:29:18 | |
July is Builder Renewal season! Buildership powers this community and makes it possible for us to bring you services, education, podcasts, and so much more. If you are a Builder at Mishkan, we can’t wait for you to renew your commitment. Not a Builder yet? We invite you to join the community as a Builder. Not in Chicagoland? Join the 10% of our Builder community who live outside of Illinois. It would be an honor to take the next step on your Jewish journey with you. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — A Loopy Morning | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:39:04 | |
July is Builder Renewal season! Buildership powers this community and makes it possible for us to bring you services, education, podcasts, and so much more. If you are a Builder at Mishkan, we can’t wait for you to renew your commitment. Not a Builder yet? We invite you to join the community as a Builder. Not in Chicagoland? Join the 10% of our Builder community who live outside of Illinois. It would be an honor to take the next step on your Jewish journey with you. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Pride Shabbat: “Call of the Shofar” | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:14:36 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our Pride Shabbat service on Friday, June 21st. We were honored to receive a thoughtful drash from Mishkanite Aidan Gilbert, who reflected on his life, the gains of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the need to fight to protect those gains from the ceaseless onslaught of the far right. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay — Juneteenth with Felicia Savage Friedman | 19 Jun 2024 | 00:41:32 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We Are Witnesses for Each Other | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:23:51 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our June 15th Saturday morning service when Rabbi Steven delivered a drash on the need to combat polarization with community building. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Standing At Sinai Together | 13 Jun 2024 | 00:14:48 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our Shavuot Shabbat service, when Rabbi Steven shared about his experience traveling to Washington, DC with the Interfaith Alliance where he witnessed the wide spectrum of views of the Jewish and interfaith communities through the lens of the diverse perspectives we celebrate during both Shavuot and Pride Month. Unfortunately, we experienced some technical difficulties at the service, but Rabbi Steven has generously re-recorded his drash for posterity. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Shavuot! | 13 Jun 2024 | 01:05:00 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| A Case For Joy — R' Lizzi Yom Kippur 5786 | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:28:22 | |
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Yom Kippur service. Support our work by donating to our High Holiday Pledge Campaign: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2025-5786 Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| BaMidbar: Truth Like a Desert | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:50:30 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Heaven Is A Place On Earth | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:25:28 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our Saturday morning service on June 1st. Prompted by this week’s parsha which contains a list of blessings and curses God promises to rain down on the righteous and the wrongdoer, respectively, Rabbi Lizzi delivered a sermon on the theological concept of theodicy, that is, the question of how a loving God could allow so much suffering and, despite his warnings, appear to let evildoers off scot-free. Will the wicked be punished in this life? In the next? Is God even in the punishment business at all? Let's get theological. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Special Guest Rabbi Rachel Goldberg | 29 May 2024 | 00:34:12 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| The Stories We Tell | 28 May 2024 | 00:17:17 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our May 24th Friday Night Shabbat service. Rabbi Steven delivered a drash on the power of stories. Narratives shape our lives and transform our world. How can we harness their power for good? | |||
| Progressive Chevra Kadisha — A Discussion About Life, Death, And Taharah | 22 May 2024 | 00:24:02 | |
Today’s episode is a Shababt Replay all the way back to March 15th, when Rabbi Steven was joined by a virtual panel to discuss the Progressive Chevra Kadisha of Chicago, a sacred society which prepares bodies for burial. It’s a fascinating conversation all about this beautiful and humbling ancient practice. | |||
| Born This Way: Torah And Disability Justice | 20 May 2024 | 00:24:01 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our virtual Friday night service on May 17th. Rabbi Lizzi delivered a drash on the complicated relationship of disability justice and the Torah. How can we make sense of a mitzvah which appears to exclude people with a disability? We must first begin by considering the examples of two sacred texts: Leviticus and the hit TV show Glee. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Emor: Make Your Life A Work Of Art | 15 May 2024 | 00:37:47 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| A More Honest Story: Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut | 14 May 2024 | 00:20:13 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our May 10th Friday night service, when Rabbi Steven delivered a drash on the occasion of three holidays — Yom Ha’Zikaron, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and Dhikra an-Nakba. What can the messages of each of these days teach us in this difficult time? | |||
| Sharing Grief, Sharing Hope — Israelis and Palestinians in Conversation | 08 May 2024 | 01:17:19 | |
This episode is a recording of a conversation held today, May 8th, led by Rabbi Lizzi who was joined by two members of the Parents Circle, an organization of Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones to war and are working together toward peace. Ofer Lior lives in the Western Galilee, Israel. He has spent his career facilitating and coordinating joint activities between Israelis and Palestinians, most recently coordinating the Center for Learning and Dialogue in the Nes-Ammim community in the North of Israel. Ofer’s brother Oren was killed in 1989 during his time in reserve duty at the Jordanian border. He has been active in the Parents Circle for about 15 years and has participated in many Dialogue Meetings. **** Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Rosh Chodesh Iyar: Omer 15 | 08 May 2024 | 00:30:47 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We Have To Care About What Other People Think — R' Steven Kol Nidre 5786 | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:26:33 | |
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Kol Nidre service. Support our work by donating to our High Holiday Pledge Campaign: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2025-5786 Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Building A Heart of Many Rooms: Toward A More Complete Pursuit Of Liberation | 06 May 2024 | 00:24:26 | |
Today’s episode is from our May 4th Saturday morning service. With college campus protests and counter protests of Israel’s war in Gaza ongoing, Rabbi Lizzi delivered a powerful sermon asking us to confront this difficult political moment with honesty and humility. Take it away, Rabbi. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Mental Health Shabbat — Confronting Addictive Behaviors | 03 May 2024 | 00:30:14 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our April 19th virtual Friday night service. In commemoration of Mental Health Shabbat, Rabbi Steven was joined by Andrew Fishman, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in addictive behaviors, for a conversation about healthy boundaries with our screens. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Acharei Mot and Counting the Omer | 01 May 2024 | 00:37:38 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Don't Settle for the Simple Story... or Seder | 22 Apr 2024 | 00:22:47 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our Saturday morning service on April 20th. Rabbi Lizzi delivered a sermon imploring us to retell not only the triumphal tale of liberation in the Passover story, but also the nuanced, disturbing, and thought-provokingly complicated parts of the story as well. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Morning Minyan with Rabbi Lizzi — Dayenu! Transcending the Sanitized Story | 17 Apr 2024 | 00:30:42 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| The Impossible Becomes Possible | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:17:09 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our Friday Night Shabbat service on April 12th when Rabbi Steven delivered a sermon on the story of Passover and the haggadah. What does it mean to leave a seat for Elijah? What does it mean to envision a future free from bondage? Take it away, Rabbi. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Entering the Month of Nissan! Parshat Tazria! Preparing for Passover! | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:40:49 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| The Four Children | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:16:40 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay from our Saturday morning service on April 6th. Rabbi Steven led a discussion about the Four Children of the Passover seder. The discussion has been edited down for brevity and clarity — thank you to everyone who lent their voices, whether or not the microphone picked up what you had to say! **** Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat Shmini | 03 Apr 2024 | 00:36:05 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| How to Avoid Retelling the Same Old Story | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:26:41 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our March 29th Friday Night service, when Rabbi Lizzi delivered a fascinating drash about how the rabbis reshaped Judaism after the fall of the second temple. How did they transform a religion based on sacrifices, like the ones in this week’s parsha, into one based on the study of Torah we know today? How did Judaism survive when so many ancient civilizations did not? Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| This Is A Moral Test — R'Lizzi Rosh Hashanah 5786 | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:34:38 | |
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Rosh Hashanah service. 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.tickettailor.com/events/mishkanchicago/1790206 Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Israeli and Palestinian Political Reflections on the Moment and on the Future | 29 Mar 2024 | 01:34:21 | |
On March 28th, Mishkan Chicago cohosted a dialogue on the war in Gaza and Israel, together with IPF Atid Chicago and New Israel Fund. Rabbi Lizzi moderated the discussion which featured Agora Initiative co-founder Khalil Sayegh and IPF Atid director Shanie Reichman. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat Tzav | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:37:06 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Minyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Purim Prep Special | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:39:58 | |
On Thursday, March 21st, as we observe the Fast of Esther, Mishkan will join Hadar for "Reading the Megillah After October 7th". From 8:30 am - 1:30 pm CDT, we will reflect Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||