So far May has been an incredible month! We hosted our first-annual Lag B’Omer Bonfire with the musical stylings of Azamra (Jewish kirtan), the meditative guidance of the Center for Jewish Mindfulness and the backyard-shaking drumming of the Mitziut Shviti drum circle. Next year we hope it will be three times as big and in a forest preserve (see pix here). Next up, May 11th we held services in the spunky and spirit-filled Solarium- amazing- and we’re fixing to see you for our end-of-the-Omer-Revelation-spoiler Shabbat on May 25th @ AES. Get on board, ya’ll. Oh, and have you not heard? We’re gearing up to be able to offer membership and high holidays this fall, so stay tuned to find out how to get more involved and inspired. Read on for the rest of May’s events.
Hitgalut: Revelation, a 3-part series with UChicago Divinity Students Sam Shonkoff and Steven Philp. Last one! Tuesday, May 15 @ 722 W. Aldine, 7 pm. RSVP to steven@mishkanchicago.org.
4th Fridays @ AES. Fri, May 25th, 7 pm, 3751 N. Broadway. Services + dinner and drinks.
Get Your Learning On All Night- Lakeview Shavuot Experience. Sat, May 26th: 6-9 pm @ Moishe House for the 2nd Annual Shavuot Shuffle, and picking up from there from 9 pm til dawn @ 3751 N. Broadway at the Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot.
(* Omer = 49 day count-up period between Passover and Shavuot.)
Prayer 101. Tues, May 8th, 7 pm, 525 W. Hawthorne. Study both the structure and inspiration of traditional Jewish prayer. RSVP Rabbi@mishkanchicago.org.
Hitgalut: Revelation, a 3-part series with UChicago Divinity Students Sam Shonkoff and Steven Philp. Last one! Tuesday, May 15 @ 722 W. Aldine, 7 pm. RSVP to steven@mishkanchicago.org
Lag B’Omer- Bonfire, music, meditation. Wed, May 9, 7:30 pm, 1905 W. Roscoe. Co-hosted with the Center for Jewish Mindfulness, Mitziut and Moishe House. BYOB and vegetarian food, we’ll provide s’mores. RSVP by Facebook.
Mishkan @ Solarium… May 11, 7 pm, 1245 W. Jarvis. Ecstatic and contemplative Judaism meets ecstatic dance space! Services + dinner and drinks. RSVP to steven@mishkanchicago.org or RSVP by Facebook.
4th Fridays @ AES. Fri, May 25th, 7 pm, 3751 N. Broadway. Services + dinner and drinks.
See you this Friday night!
4th Friday @ AES
Friday, April 27th
7 pm Services, 3751 N. Broadway
Services are a mix of contemplative and ecstatic, traditional and creative, filled with song and silence. Spread the word, bring friends, see you there! RSVP by Facebook here.
(Next service: May 11, 7 pm)
MUSIC
LAG B’OMER – 33 Days after Passover
Wed, May 9th Bonfire, Meditation and Music with Center for Jewish Mindfulness and Mitziut communities. Location TBD. Bring vegetarian stuff to grill- we’ll provide s’mores material.
MUSIC JAM
Sunday, May 13
Northside location
6:00 Pot-luck vegetarian dinner, 6:45 music! We’re constantly experimenting with new harmonies and tunes at Mishkan. Whether you’re a singer, guitar player, drummer, violinist or just love to be around people who are, join us.
LEARNING
Hitgalut: REVELATION – a 3 class series.
Two left: Tuesdays, May 1st, May 15th
7 pm, 722 W. Aldine
What is the Jewish concept of Revelation? How do revelatory moments occur differently in the contexts of solitude, community, and one-on-one intimacy? RSVP by Facebook or directly to Steven at steven@mishkanchicago.org Taught by amazing PhD candidate Sam Shonkoff and MDiv 2nd year Steven Philp, both incredible Mishkan community members and leaders. Sponsored by the Theologian In Residence Program at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Beer and pizza included.
Prayer 101
Tuesday, May 8
6:30 pm, 525 W. Hawthorne
We study both the structure and inspiration built into all that Hebrew that we so often don’t have the time to really dig into. Bring your questions and a siddur! RSVP to Rabbi Lizzi.
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A message from Steven Philp: Vote for our Rabbi!
Hey Mishkan! Guess whose rabbi is on the short list for the “Real Top Rabbis” of 2012? Our very own Rabbi Lizzi! Follow this link and “like” her; then copy and paste this on to your Facebook page,or forward it around as an e-mail telling your friends what’s up. Let’s get Lizzi some recognition for the real impact that she has had on our community, for the creativity and spirit that she has brought to Chicago Jewry, and for establishing a space where everyone is engaged and welcome – no matter where you are on your Jewish journey. (Rabbi Lizzi’s commentary: I am really humbled by this. It’s an honor to be on a list with such devoted, insightful, inspiring people- read their profiles! It is you all that really make Mishkan happen, so thank you a million times and mostly, just keep helping create and grow this community!)
Earlier this month:
Exodus Redux: music, yoga, spirit and soul with Jewish chick rocker Naomi Less and Tefila Yoga founder Rabbi Heather Altman. Check out one song from the event here (just close your eyes and listen.) Help Heather raise $20,000 toward ending human trafficking with the Global Seva Challenge Countdown to Freedom,and receive daily inspirational messages for the next month of the Omer.
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Sending you many blessings for a week of integration of mind and body, discipline and flexibility, brutal honesty and generous lovingkindness- it’s the week of tiferet on the Omer counter (here’s one), which is all about integrating opposites, holding more than one truth. More on that this shabbos!
R’ Lizzi
PS: Are you STILL not in the Facebook group??! What are you waiting for?! Join here!
Spring is here and, along with our most prominent holiday of the season, Pesah, reminds us that growth and new light are always possible. Join us for services, classes and experiences over the next month to wake up your spirit, giving it the nourishment it needs to grow and flourish, to bring more light and openness into the world.
Mishkan + Moishe = davening and dinner this Shabbos.
Friday, April 13th
7 pm Services @ Temple Sholom, downstairs (3480 N. LSD)
8:45 Walk over to Moishe House for a delectable last-day-of-Pesach salad + wine and cheese dinner
Services are a mix of contemplative and ecstatic- drawing particular inspiration this week from the spirit of freedom that comes with Passover (and with a little more flexibility than usual in services because it will still be hag). Spread the word, bring friends, see you there! RSVP by Facebook or e-mail here.
MUSIC JAM
NEW DATE: Sunday, April 15 (not the 22nd)
1814 N. Paulina #3f (side entrance)
6:30 Pot luck vegetarian dinner, 7:15 Music.
We’re constantly experimenting with new harmonies and tunes at Mishkan. Join the learning process, whether you’re a singer, guitar player, drummer, violinist or just love to be around people who are.
Uncovering Revelation in Human Relationships
Tuesdays, April 17th, May 1st, May 15th
7 pm, 722 W. Aldine
What is the Jewish concept of Revelation- hitgalut? How might revelatory moments occur differently in the contexts of solitude, community, and one-on-one intimacy? Explore Jewish versions of Revelation with amazing PhD candidate Sam Shonkoff and MDiv 2nd year Steven Philp, both incredible Mishkan community members and leaders, for this fascinating learning series. Sponsored by the Theologian In Residence Program at the University of Chicago Divinity School.
If you’re on Facebook, RSVP here.
6:45 pm, 3751 N. Broadway. Spirited service filled with music, harmony, silence and study, followed by dinner and drinks. Or RSVP by e-mail at steven@mishkanchicago.org
The celebration of liberation begins…
Mah nishtanah? What’s new?
Each of us has places we feel stuck in old, unproductive thought-patterns, relationships, habits. Our country is mired in constricted, narrow discourse. As Michael Walzer says, “Where ever you live, it’s probably Egypt.” Pesah comes every year to help us focus on our liberation story so we can be agents of liberation for all people, pushing us to ask the hard questions (four is just the minimum!) that need asking to help move us toward new ideas and more expansive thinking- as individuals, as a people, and as members of the global community.
Save these dates, ya’ll, and join us for powerful moments of study, song, dining, and discussing the most important religious and political questions of our time.
• A very special Interfaith Seder
Tuesday, April 10th, 5-7 pm
The Chicago Theological Seminary
Mishkan joins the Chicago Theological Seminary and the Hyde Park Muslim Family Circle for an incredible evening of learning, discussion and food, with religious communities with which we often don’t engage, to whom we can give a lot, and from whom we can learn a lot. More information and RSVP here.
• 5th Friday @ AES
Friday, March 30th, 6:45 pm
3751 N. Broadway
As usual, services + dinner and drinks. Spread the word and share Mishkan with friends! RSVP to steven@mishkanchicago.org
• Prayer 101
Tuesday, March 27th
525 W. Hawthorne
Learning basic structures of Jewish prayer, and creating space to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about what all this Hebrew mumbo-jumbo really means. RSVP to Rabbi Lizzi at rabbi@mishkanchicago.org
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Tikun atzmit- self-repair- is an integral piece of our universal mission of tikkun olam- repairing the world. My prayer for each of us is that we begin to explore the places where we feel confined, trapped, powerless, or perhaps just stuck, and really take our own liberation seriously as a step toward the liberation of all people, everywhere.
Sending you many blessings,
Lizzi
The Center for Jewish Mindfulness and Mishkan team up to bring you a half day mindfulness retreat to prepare your head and heart for Pesach, the celebration of liberation. Read more here.
RSVP to Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell at jordan@jewishspirituality.org.
See you on Sunday for yoga, siting and walking meditation, as well as an hour of devotional music starting at 11:30.
9 am-12:30 am Sunday 3/18
Heller Nature Center in Highland Park, IL.
Mishkan Invades Evanston THIS Friday night.
Fri, March 9, 7 pm. 9318 Avers, Evanston
The month of Adar brings with it joyful zaniness, and more than a little moral ambiguity, augmented by costumes and alcohol. Get grounded this shabbos with davening (services), dinner and drinks at a home in Evanston. RSVP by Facebook or drop us a line to let us know you’re coming. Shuttles running from the Davis St. L-stop starting between 6:15 and 6:50.
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Other good stuff coming up:
Mishkan + Aitz Hayim = Worth the Shlep
Fri, March 16, 6:30 pm 1185 Sheridan Rd, Glencoe, IL
Join INSPIRING and TOTALLY HYSTERICAL Rabbi Ed Feinstein, a dear teacher of Rabbi Lizzi’s and nationally renowned author and speaker, for a night of incredible prayer, community, and learning.
The Center for Jewish Mindfulness + Mishkan present
The Pre-Pesach Half Day Retreat
Sun, March 18: 9-12:30 pm, The Heller Nature Center in Highland Park, IL.
Begin the morning with yoga, deepen your practice with guided walking and and sitting meditations themed for the upcoming holiday of Passover, and finally, end the day with kirtan and Jewish devotional music. If you missed Rabbi Lizzi performing with the talented and fabulous Rabbi Sam Feinsmith, Hanna Shefsy and Yoni Sarason at Limmud, you’ll want to check this performance out. You’re invited to attend the music at the end of the retreat without attending the rest, for a small donation. More info to come.
Mishkan 5th Friday @ AES
March 30th, 6:45 pm, 3751 N. Broadway at Anshe Emet Synagogue
Sustenance for the soul, sustenance for the body. That is, davening (services) and then dinner. Families are welcome to take off after Kabbalat Shabbat if it makes dining with kids easier.
Prayer 101 Study Group
Tues, March 27 525 W. Hawthorne
Our first meeting was so meaningful we decided to make it a monthly thing. Whether you’re a daily davener (someone who prays out of a prayer book every day) or feel like a total beginner, this group will be a comfortable space for questions, discussion, and maybe even a few answers.
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Always a refreshing change of scenery from the North Side, Mishkan Hits Hyde Park on Friday, Feb 10 was an amazing mix of U of C folks of so many stripes, and a few North Siders who braved the snow storm to come pray, study and eat together in inspired shabbos form. See you in on Feb. 24th @ AES (information below). In the meantime, other good stuff is happening, so check it out…
Mishkan Music Jam
Sunday, Feb 26, 6:30 pm. RSVP to rabbi@mishkanchicago.org for address.
Get the inside edge on what we’ll be doing next music-wise at Mishkan. Dive into, deepen and grow your love and knowledge of the music, harmony and silence.
Jewish Prayer 101
Tuesday, Feb 21, 7 pm, 525 W. Hawthorne Place, Apt. 2103
We’ll be exploring what the very basis is for why we pray as Jews- connection to the Divine, connecting to our past, cultivating particular states of mind including joy, gratitude, love…
Mishkan Invades Evanston!
Friday, March 9th, 6:30 pm.
Show up early and help us cook! RSVP to Steven: steven@mishkanchicago.org
Shabbat with Mishkan + Aitz Hayim = worth the schlep
Friday, March 16, 1185 N. Sheridan Rd, Glencoe
Join INSPIRING and TOTALLY HYSTERICAL Rabbi Ed Feinstein, a dear teacher of Rabbi Lizzi’s and nationally renowned author and speaker, for a night of incredible prayer, community, and learning.
And finally, we’re on March 30th – 5th Friday @ AES, 6:30 pm
Our last service @ AES this past January 27th was *unbelievable*. Over 100 people gathered to pray, sing, connect, to move and to be moved, and of course to eat post-services. Thanks to Anshe Emet for providing the space, people power and food to make it possible, and thanks to the growing and mighty band of Mishkanites who are bringing their spirits, voices, and spiritual power to the space. Truly, January 27th was a beautiful reminder that the Jewish spirit is alive and well, pulsating with song and connection to God and to the world.
Click here to read our last e-mail, with the full schedule of upcoming events. In brief:
Tonight: MISHKAN HITS HYDE PARK, 6:30 pm, Brent House at 5540 S. Woodlawn.
4th Friday @ AES
Friday, Feb 23, 6:30 pm. 3751 N. Broadway.
Food and spirit for the soul, followed, as usual, by food and spirits for the body.
What an amazing journey the Fall of 2011 has been. In late August a few Jewish Chicagoans got together around the vision of a dynamic Jewish spiritual community that would come together around prayer and study, creating a synthesis of creativity and tradition, ecstatic worship and meditative space. The idea was to create inspiration for anyone who enters, no matter their denominational or religious background, age, relationship status, or family structure. We called the idea Mishkan- Sanctuary.
Since our first service in a holy Lincoln Park living room September 9th, we’ve had services twice monthly, held in living rooms around the city from Hyde Park to Lakeview, and at Anshe Emet Synagogue. We’ve brought people together to daven/pray with ecstatic abandon, sing with harmony, meditate, and of course, eat shabbos dinner together. We turned a rug warehouse on the West side of Chicago into the rockin’est Hanukkah Barefoot Boogie on Christmas Eve. We’ve partnered with the Moishe House, Sydney N. Shure Kehila, the TBD Minyan, Mitziut, the Center for Jewish Mindfulness, and Interfaithfamily.com to create prayer, dance, learning, meditation and conversation opportunities for people looking for a more spiritually infused take on Judaism.
It’s been wild, it’s been fun, it’s been holy. Join us in 2012 to see where this crazy and wonderful experiment is headed. Our next service is a 4th Friday @ AES – 6:30 pm – 3751 N. Broadway – free parking available, and a short walk from the Halsted Bus and the Red line. Dinner and drinks following services.
