Explore every episode of the podcast Contact Chai
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflections On October 7th — Morning Minyan | 07 Oct 2026 | 00:49:35 | |
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 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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| Sukkot Hallel — Morning Minyan | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:31:42 | |
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. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| The Symbolism of Sukkot — Morning Minyan | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:33:04 | |
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. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| Six Jewish Values To Remember in America in 5787 | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:27:44 | |
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! *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We Live Or Die Together — Rabbi Steven | Kol Nidre 5787 | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:29:40 | |
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! *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| God Metaphors & Kol Nidre — Morning Minyan | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:38:11 | |
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 challenges and opportunities. Tickets go fast, so save your seat today! https://www.mishkanchicago.org/high-holy-days-5787/ Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| The Redemptive Promise of the Oscillating Narrative — Rabbi Lizzi | Rosh Hashanah 5787 | 12 Sep 2026 | 00:27:02 | |
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! | |||
| My Prayer Didn’t Work — R' Julie Fishbach | Erev Rosh Hashanah 5787 | 12 Sep 2026 | 00:18:20 | |
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! | |||
| Opening The High Holidays — Rerelease | 09 Sep 2026 | 01:00:19 | |
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. **** 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/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared — Morning Minyan | 03 Sep 2026 | 00:31:02 | |
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 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/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| Breathing Our Way To Closeness With God — Morning Minyan | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:34:41 | |
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/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| Morning Minyan — Ki Teitzei | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:26:29 | |
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. 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 been checking out the community, we invite you to take the next step and become a Builder to help us welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| Adira Happens — Morning Minyan | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:36:05 | |
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 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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. | |||
| Building My Judaism — Manuel Gauto | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:16:25 | |
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/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| When Judaism Began — Rabbi Steven Bob | 07 Aug 2026 | 01:03:17 | |
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 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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. | |||
| The Spiritual Danger of Abundance | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:12:24 | |
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/event/confronting-white-supremacy-facets-08-02-2026/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Eat And Be Satisfied — Rabbi Lizzi Returns! | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:32:13 | |
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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Tisha b'Av: Same Goals, Same God, Different Ways Of Getting There (Re-Release) | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:32:39 | |
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 Jewish and Black Americans. Following the film, we’ll have a discussion with Producer and Civil Rights Activist Daryl Davis and Rabbi Lizzi, plus a presentation from Lawndale Christian Legal Center’s Executive Director Cliff Nellis on The Deer Center, a powerful alternative to incarceration for young adults. We hope you will join us on August 2nd. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/confronting-white-supremacy-facets-08-02-2026/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Pride Shabbat! Ft. Daniel Kutcher and A Very Mishkan Auf Ruf | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:34:09 | |
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 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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Morning Minyan w/ Rabbi Lizzi — June 24th, 2026 | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:35:36 | |
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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| On Juneteenth And Bold Moses — Rabbi Steven Sermon | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:15:47 | |
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 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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Morning Minyan w/ Rabbi Lizzi — June 17th, 2026 | 20 Jun 2026 | 00:29:28 | |
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 welcome even more people into a space to bring their whole selves and be part of something larger than themselves. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Progress Is Not Inevitable — It Is Promised | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:21:49 | |
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? https://www.mishkanchicago.org/builder-drive-2026/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We Are Here — The Roman Empire Is Not | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:31:02 | |
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? *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| The Poetry Of Torah | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:20:34 | |
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? *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We're Counting (On) You — Rabbi Lizzi Sermon | 26 May 2026 | 00:18:08 | |
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! *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Jewish Climate Trust — Interview With Nigel Savage | 21 May 2026 | 00:56:56 | |
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 Jewish Theological Seminary. **** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Transcript | |||
| Everyday Holiness: A Conversation with Alan Morinis | 14 May 2026 | 01:11:21 | |
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/ **** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Sobriety and Serenity — Ricky Halle-Podell | 11 May 2026 | 00:17:55 | |
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. *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Mishkan's Scholar-In-Residence: Author Rodger Kamenetz | 07 May 2026 | 00:34:43 | |
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: https://www.mishkanchicago.org/shabbat-holidays/holidays/ **** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| We Can’t Ignore The Story Behind The Story — R' Lizzi Sermon | 04 May 2026 | 00:20:27 | |
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! *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Morning Minyan with Yiscah Smith: Planting Seeds of the Divine | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:57:11 | |
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! **** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| What Mishkan Taught Us About Being Jewish — Alana Sindelar and Gabi Finkelstein | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:13:06 | |
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/ *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Unlearning Jewish Anxiety with Rabbi Dr. Caryn Aviv | 26 Apr 2026 | 00:56:04 | |
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 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Aspiring to be the Jewish State | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:56:09 | |
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 *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| The Obligation to Heal — R' Steven Philp | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:15:43 | |
Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on April 18th when Rabbi Steven gave a sermon on our tradition's treatment of those with so-called leprosy. At first glance, the Torah's attitude toward people with skin disease is exclusionary, but commentator have found deep wisdom about rest and healing under the epidermis. If this podcast has helped you find rest or healing, we encourage you take just thirty seconds and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen — it would help us a lot. *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| In the Midst of Darkness: Interview With Author Rob Don | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:43:19 | |
In honor of Yom HaShoah, Rabbi Lizzi spoke with author and Mishkanite Rob Don about his book In the Midst of Darkness, a memoir exploring intergenerational trauma, Holocaust survival, racism, and mental health. https://inthemidstofdarkness.com/ 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Supporting Democracy In Israel — Jeremy Ben Ami, President of J Street | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:38:31 | |
Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on April 10th which featured a fascinating conversation between Rabbi Lizzi and special guest Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street. Rabbi Lizzi sits on the Rabbinic Cabinet of J Street, which works in the American political system and in the Jewish community to advocate for diplomacy-first American leadership and policies that advance justice, equality, peace, and democracy in Israel. *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Possibility Is Enough — R' Steven Sermon | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:15:32 | |
The audio in this sermon starts out rough, but it gets way better after two minutes — we promise! Hello, and welcome to Contact Chai. Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on Friday, March 27th, when Rabbi Steven delivered a drash on the power of hope embedded in the Exodus story. And yes, he does reference Prince of Egypt. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/blueprint-learners-seder/ *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Leviticus And Letting Go — Rabbi Lizzi Sermon | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:21:09 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on March 21st, 2026, when Rabbi Lizzi led a conversation on the connection between the Passover practice of letting go of bread, pasta, and other wheaty, yeasty treats and the sacrifices described in our parshah in Leviticus. *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| A.I. Yai Yai! — Josh Cynamon w/ Rabbi Lizzi | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:45:44 | |
Josh Cynamon, Mishkanite and PhD candidate in cognitive science at Indiana University studying cognitive science and artificial intelligence, joins Rabbi Lizzi in a nuanced conversation about the impacts of artificial intelligence on all of us. 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. Today's Morning Minyan features "Kedusha" by Amy Robinson. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Jews Get Divorce — Rabbi Ezra Weinberg | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:23:38 | |
Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on March 13th when we heard a special guest drash on the lifelong spiritual and communal impact of divorce from Rabbi Ezra Weinberg. Rabbi Ezra is the founder of the divorce support network Jews Get Divorce. Get divorce. Get it? If you find our content helpful in your life, we hope we *get* your five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| A Cathedral In Space — R' Steven Sermon | 14 Mar 2026 | 00:15:34 | |
You’re traveling through another dimension, beyond both time and space. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s a signpost up ahead: your next stop: Shabbat! Heschel famously likened Shabbat to a cathedral in time. But in his sermon on March 7th, Rabbi Steven shared wisdom he has received which emphasizes Shabbat’s spatial dimension. How does this ancient practice connect us across generations, restoring our very souls? *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Copper Mirrors, Creativity, and a Loop Pedal — Morning Minyan | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:29:25 | |
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. Today's Morning Minyan features "Kedusha" by Amy Robinson. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Fat Torah with Rabbi Minna Bromberg | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:45:43 | |
What does our tradition have to teach us about honoring the diversity of human bodies? We sat down with Rabbi Minna Bromberg, fat liberation activist and founder of Fat Torah, to discuss her new book, "Every Body Beloved." https://bookshop.org/lists/every-body-beloved 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. Today's Morning Minyan features "Kedusha" by Amy Robinson. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Where Are Our Leaders? — R' Steven Purim Sermon | 01 Mar 2026 | 00:11:11 | |
Join us for Purim on March 2nd! Don't miss out on the zaniest spiel in town — register at the link below. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/ This drash was delivered at our virtual service on February 27th, 2026. Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Reading Esther As Literature — Part Two | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:11:25 | |
Join us for Purim on March 2nd! Don't miss out on the zaniest spiel in town — register at the link below. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/ The Megillah is satire. But deciphering the intended message of ancient literature is hard enough without a layer of irony and hidden meaning. In our Reading Esther As Literature class, Rabbi Lizzi taught us how to unlock some of that meaning using the Jewish hermeneutic tool Pardes. *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Of Gold and God — R' Lizzi Sermon | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:20:46 | |
Booo Mordechai! Wait, did I get that wrong? As Rabbi Lizzi taught in her sermon on Saturday, February 21st, on Purim, we are to get so mentally mixed up that we can’t remember the difference between “Blessed is Mordechi” and “Cursed is Haman.” Why? Find out at Mishkan’s Purim Party on March 2nd. Our spiel and full Megillah reading is always the best party in town, no exaggeration. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| Becoming A Sanctuary For Yourself — Morning Minyan | 19 Feb 2026 | 00:31:12 | |
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. Today's Morning Minyan features "Kedusha" by Amy Robinson. https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen Mishkan’s Purim Party is March 2nd — do you have your tickets yet? Featuring outrageous sketches and a full Megillah reading, this is shaping up to be our wildest Pruim yet. And if you’re not sure your can make it in-person, you can join via our state-of-the-art livestream. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||
| The Next Attack On Reproductive Rights — Sarah Garza Resnick | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:18:45 | |
Hello, and welcome to Contact Chai. At our service on February 13th, we heard from Builder Sarah Garza Resnick, the President and CEO of Personal PAC. Sarah shared the latest plans of the extremists behind Project 2025 who are gearing up for a further assault on reproductive rights and the freedoms of women, families, and any individual who does not share their narrow agenda. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, please, consider joining us for Purim on March 2nd. As the Talmudic sages remind us, increasing our joy is a mitzvah this time of year, and we really need it right now. There’s a link to register in the show notes. Thank you. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/ *** 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 as a Builder or donate today. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. | |||