Contact Chai

Mishkan Chicago
  • 5.0 (79)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Contact Chai is Mishkan Chicago’s podcast feed, where you can hear our Shabbat sermons, Morning Minyans, interviews with Jewish thought leaders, and more.

  1. 6D AGO

    From the Pit to the Palace — Parashat Miketz

    Rabbi Lizzi’s 45th birthday is on New Year’s Eve! We have it on good authority that no gift would make her happier than seeing this community continue to thrive. One year older, one year wiser — help our rabbi share that wisdom by giving at the link below. https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/join-us-in-praying-and-fighting-for-a-better-world/ Today's Morning Minyan features "Psalm 148" by Joey Weisenberg and a selection of songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. 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 Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    33 min

  2. DEC 15

    A Hanukkah Stories

    Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on December 12th, Rabbi Steven drashed on the Hanukkah story, or, rather its darker side. Yesterday, Sunday, December 14th, Hanukkah began with news of a deadly terrorist attack in Sydney on innocent people celebrating the holiday. We will kindle lights this week to ensure that their memories will be a blessing and our tradition’s insistence that we persevere through tragedy by cultivating joy will not be smothered or diminished. We are here for you, now and always, if you need someone to speak with. **** If Mishkan Chicago has inspired you in these trying times, then please consider making a donation! We need your support to continue doing the work of praying and fighting for a better world like it depends on us — because it does. Donate at the link below or send a check to our office: 4001. N. Ravenswood Ave Suite 101 Chicago IL 60613 https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/join-us-in-praying-and-fighting-for-a-better-world Transcript

    17 min

  3. DEC 11

    Vayeshev: Responding To Events Beyond Your Control

    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/ If Mishkan Chicago has inspired you in these trying times, if you’ve been moved by our podcasts, services, classes or events — or just knowing we’re out here doing our thing, trying to decrease polarization and increase sanity... Please, consider making a donation! We need your support to continue doing the work of praying and fighting for a better world like it depends on us. Because it does. Donate at the link below or send a check to our office: 4001. N. Ravenswood Ave Suite 101 Chicago IL 60613 https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/join-us-in-praying-and-fighting-for-a-better-world Today's Morning Minyan features the BimBam video "Parshat Vayeshev: Joseph and his Colorful Coat." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH5jH-9DAQc 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 Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    27 min

  4. DEC 8

    Wrestling With God: Judaism's Essential Gesture

    Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on December 6th when Rabbi Lizzi delivered a drash on what it means to wrestle with our tradition’s competing understandings of God and the meaning of Hanukkah. For our gelt, the true meaning of Hanukkah is friendship — and shopping! Find your holiday gifts 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. https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/mishkan-hanukkah-market-2025/ As we reflect on the journey we’ve taken together this past year, we are inspired by the resilience and love that defines our community. If Mishkan Chicago has inspired you in these trying times, if you’ve been moved by our podcasts, services, classes or events — or just knowing we’re out here doing our thing, trying to decrease polarization and increase sanity... Please, consider making a donation! We need your support to continue doing the work of praying and fighting for a better world like it depends on us. Because it does. Donate at the link below or send a check to our office: 4001. N. Ravenswood Ave Suite 101 Chicago IL 60613 https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/join-us-in-praying-and-fighting-for-a-better-world https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. Transcript

    24 min

  5. DEC 3

    Surprise Inspiration (Vayishlach)

    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. Transcript

    31 min

  6. NOV 22

    Maintaining Humanity in Times of Crisis

    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. Transcript

    17 min

  7. NOV 19

    Emunah: Our Faith, God's Faith

    Today's Morning Minyan features "Beautiful People" by Aly Halpert. 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. Transcript

    32 min

  8. NOV 17

    All You Need Is Love

    Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on November 15th when Rabbi Lizzi delivered a drash all about love. The Torah also calls us to love our fellow Jews. But surely not that Jew, right? The one who won’t stop posting about, y’know? The one you have blocked on Facebook? Unfortunately, Maimonides says we have to love them too. So how do we love our fellow Jews even when it’s hard? One way you can love your Jewish community is sharing this podcast with a friend. Sharing is caring. Then, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your platform of choice. And please, consider donating at the link in the show notes to see more inspirational, educational Jewish content like this. 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. Transcript

    22 min
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5
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Contact Chai is Mishkan Chicago’s podcast feed, where you can hear our Shabbat sermons, Morning Minyans, interviews with Jewish thought leaders, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Mishkan Chicago
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    339
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Contact Chai
  • Show Website
    Contact Chai

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