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. 3D AGO

    Come On In, Pharoah

    Today's Morning Minyan features a teaching by Rabbi Shefa Gold as well as the songs "Modeh Ani" by Omer Adam and “I'm Not Alone” by Aly Halpert. https://www.rabbishefagold.com/bo/ 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. Transcript

    38 min

  2. 6D AGO

    King, Heschel, and You

    Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on January 17th over MLK Day Weekend. Rabbi Lizzi was fresh off of giving the prayer at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s MLK breakfast where former Vice President Kamala Harris was in attendance. It was kind of a big deal, and if you’re feeling like you missed out, don’t worry, she gives a great recap, just like you get a great recap of every sermon here on Contact Chai Podcast. Have you dropped a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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/be-a-builder/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. Transcript

    15 min

  3. JAN 15

    Expanding Our God Vocabulary

    Today's Morning Minyan features the song “Ana El Na” 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 Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. Transcript

    31 min

  4. JAN 12

    You Want To Be A Stranger In Egypt

    Today’s episode is an especially musical Shabbat Replay from our service on January 9th. The word of the day in Rabbi Lizzi’s sermon was ger, or “Foreigner.” If You Want To Know What Love Is, this Urgent message will help you stay Hot Blooded in a world that feels Cold As Ice. I don’t know any other songs by Foreigner, but if you can think of another that might fit, include it in your 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. So, how do we retain the wisdom of the outsider in an empire that feels more and more like Pharaoh’s Egypt by the day? Take it away, Rabbi. **** 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/be-a-builder/ https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/ Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. Transcript

    43 min

  5. JAN 8

    Exodus! Movement of Jah People

    Today's Morning Minyan features “Modeh Ani” by Nefesh Mountain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOms2QxFTo&list=RDzFOms2QxFTo&start_radio=1 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. Transcript

    31 min

  6. 12/24/2025

    VaYigash! Plus, Christmastime For The Jews

    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 a BimBam video entitled "Parshat Vayigash: The Moral Compasses of Reuben, Joseph, and Judah" by Rabbi Sydney Mintz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ad7TEHMAkc 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. Transcript

    24 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    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

  8. 12/15/2025

    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
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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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    345
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Contact Chai
  • Show Website
    Contact Chai

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