Grow With Us
We create radically inclusive Jewish spaces to bring your whole self, and be part of something larger than yourself. Whoever you are, wherever you are, Mishkan is here to walk with you on your journey.
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Contact Chai is Mishkan Chicago’s podcast feed, where you can hear Shabbat sermons, Morning Minyans and anything else we think you’d like to hear, happening at Mishkan.
Shabbat
Weekly Shabbat livestream
Connect in community every Friday night and every other Saturday morning.
morning minyan
Each Weekday Morning at 8 am
Tune in for prayer, meditation, and the spiritual check-in we all need!
Upcoming Events
Join us for Shabbat Services
Lean into the weekend with a grounding ritual.
We have in person and live-streamed services throughout the month. Make a plan to join us!
Moving Traditions
June 4 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CDTProgressive Chevra Kadisha (PCK) Training
June 4 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CDTSmall Groups: Weekly Virtual Torah Study
June 4 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm CDT Caregivers of Neurodiverse Children Support Group (10 and over)
June 5 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm CDT
Tomorrow! We are on for Saturday Morning Unplugged at 9:30 am in the Mishkan Office. This intimate, learning-centered Shabbat service will feature our usual in-person family programming, and will be livestreamed on Mishkan's YouTube channel — check the link in bio for details.
On Sunday, June 25th, Mishkan is marching in the Pride Parade once more, and you're invited to join in the fun! Will you march with us?
Link in bio
Tomorrow is the beginning of Pride Month, and Mishkan has a whole festival's worth of programming this June! Check out the full lineup at the link in bio.
One last ride...Thank you to everyone who spent the first night of Memorial Day weekend with us at our Shavuot + R'Deena Send-Off Shabbat! We hope your Memorial Day is one to remember.
Can you believe another school year is coming to an end? Here's to a sunny summer of climbing trees and learning in the park together!
We are wishing Rabbi Deena well as she embarks on her journey to New York City where she will serve B’nai Jeshurun as Director of Family Life and Learning. Thank you to everyone who joined us last night to say farewell to R'Deena and Shleppy!
Tonight! Join us for Rabbi Deena's last service with us. We're meeting at Northcenter Town Square at 6:30 pm for our Shavuot + Send-Off Shabbat. And your family is invited to join early at 5:30 pm for a Pizza Picnic complete with an ice cream truck and games! Will we see you there?
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Looking to meet other interfaith couples? Join Builders Brandon Raineri and Joanna Felsenstein for a delicious Shabbat potluck meal next Friday, June 2nd at 6:30 pm.
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Thank you to Mishkan's Local Action Team for leading us in a thought-provoking, fun, family-friendly discussion of Chicago politics in the park!
#ThrowbackThursday to this late night pizza + ice cream dairy revelation! Don't worry, you don't need to stay up late to enjoy our Shavuot Shabbat Pizza Picnic tomorrow at 5:30 pm in Northcenter Town Square.
Link in bio
What a privilege to see Joey Weisenberg in concert here in Chicago again! Thank you to our friends at Hadar Chicago and to everyone who turned out for this unforgettable evening last week.
Some downright spooky photos of our Sh'ma "sh'monsters" from Pajama Party: Sh’ma Edition (K – 1st Grades).
You can learn even more about Shavuot — and enjoy dairy dessert — this Friday in Northcenter Town Square! We're holding a Shavuot Shabbat service and a Pizza Picnic; peep the link in bio.
This Friday, celebrate the true meaning of Shavuot: dairy. Join us at 5:30 pm in Northcenter Town Square (right before services!) for Shavuot Shabbat Pizza Picnic, complete with a Sinai-themed scavenger hunt. Register now — you don't want to miss the ice cream truck!
Link in bio
This Wednesday, we hope you'll join us for "Picnic, Parsha, and Power." We're meeting in Welles Park at 5:30 pm for a fun, family-friendly discussion of the municipal election's impact on progressive politics led by Mishkan's Local Action Team.
Link in bio
We have exciting news to share about Mishkan's growing Family Programs! Mishkan is thrilled to welcome Rabbi Ari Moffic as our new Director of Youth and Teen Experience and our own Rachel Mylan as our new Director of Early and Elementary Family Life. You can learn all about R'Ari and Rachel — along with our big plans for Family Programs — on the Mishkan Blog.
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Tomorrow, we invite you to Saturday Morning Unplugged. This stripped-down, low-key service is the perfect way to unwind after a long week. Join us in the Mishkan Office at 9:30 am or via livestream on the Mishkan YouTube channel.
Link in bio
Throwback to one week ago today, when Rabbi Lizzi went on an Odyssey. In the span of 48 hours, R'Lizzi: 1) attended the Interfaith Breakfast of Mayor Elect Brandon Johnson where she spoke with amazing faith leaders from across Chicago, 2) got her car impounded and wound up venturing through downtown where she ran into Builder pal Shira, and 3) hung out at Mish-Curious Pre-Shabbat Happy Hour where she met Stuart from Jewish Matchmaking.
#ThrowbackThursday to our ice cream sundae concoctions at MishKamp 2016! Are you excited for the ice cream truck at our Shavuot Shabbat Pizza Picnic next Friday at 5:30 pm in Northcenter Town Square?
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New around here? Come to our orientation for new (and newish!) Builders on Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00 pm. We will gather on Zoom for intros and a welcome by R’Lizzi and break into chevruta (paired groups) to discuss how we can continue building a culture of respect, positivity and empowerment together.
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On Tuesday, May 30th at 7:00 pm, we invite you to a dialogue with bereaved Israeli mother, Robi Damelin, and bereaved Palestinian mother, Laila Alsheikh. Join us to hear their stories of loss, of reconciliation, and of hope.
Link in bio
There is no surer sign of summer in Chicago than R'Lizzi tearing through Northcenter on her orange scooter! We hope you also got a chance to catch some sunshine on this beautiful day.
First we dug, then we dug in! Shout out to recent BMitzvah Julius Schatz and everyone who helped us plant trees with Openlands. Be an advocate for nature — get involved today at the link in bio.
Picnics, parks, and pararshot! What do the municipal election results mean for the Chicago Jewish community and anyone looking to make change? Pack a picnic and join Mishkan’s Local Action Team in Welles Park on May 24th at 5:30 pm for a fun, family-friendly discussion of positive, progressive politics.
Link in bio
Looking for a jolt of inspiration to get you through the week? We've got you covered with Shabbat Replay.
Last week, Rabbi Steven and Rabbi Lizzi were honored to attend Mayor-Elect Johnson’s Interfaith Breakfast with hundreds of faith leaders from around Chicago. In his sermon at our May 12th Friday Night Shabbat service, Rabbi Steven reflected on this moment of optimism and cooperation, and challenged us to treat everyone in this city as not only neighbors, but kin, loved ones so dear to us that we cannot help but stand with them in their struggles.
You can watch R'Steven's sermon or stream the whole service right now on Mishkan's YouTube channel, or you can listen to the drash and musical highlights on Contact Chai Podcast.
A crowded table at our delicious donor deli dinner we recently enjoyed at The Bagel. Yes, there was whitefish.
Mazel Tov to our KBM students, many of whom joined us last weekend for a field trip (field dip?) to the Community Mikvah in Wilmette.
It was a joy to see so many new and returning faces at our intimate, incidentally-indoor service last night! If you couldn't make it or you're looking to relive the evening, you can watch the entire service right now on Mishkan's YouTube channel. Subscribe to tune into Shabbat Replays when they drop on Saturdays after Friday Night Shabbats — maybe they'll be your new havdalah tradition?
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Due to inclement weather, we will be holding Friday Night Shabbat indoors in the Mishkan Office (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #101). Join us at 6:30 pm for an especially musical night of prayer and inspiration. And if you're new or newish we would love to see you a little early at Mish-Curious Pre-Shabbat Happy Hour at 5:45 pm.
Yesterday, Rabbi Steven and Rabbi Lizzi attended Mayor-Elect Johnson’s Interfaith Breakfast with hundreds of faith leaders from around the City. There was an atmosphere of excitement and optimism as we all ask, not just ‘what can our new mayor do for us,’ but what can we each do work together, with the Johnson administration, to create a world class city, lifting up all its residents?
Do you follow this timeless advice at services? #ThrowBackThursday
Are you in your 20s or 30s? Planning on seeing the Joey Weisenberg concert next week? Then join Mishkan's 20s & 30s Small Group for our Pre-Concert Dinner! On May 18th at 5:15 pm, we're meeting up at Sephardic Sisters and heading to the show together. Will we see you there?
Link in bio
Ever watch the Mishkan Davening Team having a blast during services and think to yourself, "I wish I was on D-Team!" Well, this is your chance. Come jam with us at D-Team Open Call on Sunday, May 21st at 3:00 pm as we look to fill a few openings on the team.
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If you've been thinking of checking out Mishkan's Shabbat services for a while, this Friday night is all about you! Come to our Mish-Curious Pre-Shabbat Happy Hour — link in bio.
Calling all little monsters! This Saturday at 7:00 pm, your family is invited to Pajama Party: Sh’ma Edition (K – 1st Grades). We'll bring the Sh’ma to life as we craft our very own sh’monsters, bedtime stuffies that help us to bring the sh’ma to our bedtime ritual.
Link in bio
Are you Mish-Curious? If you've been exploring Mishkan or have been meaning to check us, we want to share a drink and a snack with you! Come out to Mish-Curious Pre-Shabbat Happy Hour this Friday at 5:45 pm, right before services.
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Align with the moon and with the Jewish calendar in another awesome Rosh Chodesh Circle. This group is intended as a space for women (trans-inclusive!) who are not already in our first Rosh Chodesh group captained by Abby Kuchnir. Guided by the curriculum from At the Well, and led by Builder Patty Voloschin-Weiner, this rotating host group will meet monthly to learn and bond together. Will you join us for our first session on Wednesday, May 17th at 7:00 pm?
Link in bio
Tomorrow! We hope you'll join us for Saturday Morning Shabbat. Services will be at JCYS (2112 W Lawrence Ave) beginning at 9:30 am, with Rise & Shine for kids 0-4 at 10:00 am and Mah Tovu for kids 5-8 at 11:00 am. Will we see you there?
More info and a livestream link in bio.
Thanks to a generous grant from Safety Respect Equity Network, Team Mishkan is able to work with Ta'amod to create a series of workshops for our staff and lay leaders on how to create a healthy workplace culture. Over the course of these sessions, we will be gaining the skills to confidently respond to reports of abuse or harassment. Our first staff training session focused on psychological safety — are we building a workplace where team members feel not only included but also free to voice challenging ideas? We believe that rooting our trainings in Jewish values (and data-driven methodologies!) will help us better co-create community spaces where everyone can bring their full selves.
Mishkan Chicago and Hadar Chicago are thrilled to host Joey Weisenberg for a one-night-only concert on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00 pm at Wilson Abbey. Anyone who saw him perform at Wilson Abbey in 2019 (with the Mishkan D-Team as backup!) can attest that a concert with Joey is an unforgettable, exuberant, intimate, and moving experience.
Could that be the famous Chef Lizzi of Chez Heydemann? No, it's Rabbi Lizzi eating a Saturday Shabbat Seudah brunch with your family in her home! Enter the Mensch Academy Raffle today for your chance to win this or other fabulous prizes.
Disclaimer: R'Lizzi may or may not make your meal or wear a chef's hat (thankfully), but your donation *will* support the incredible work of Mensch Academy facilitators as they encourage children to grow into their own unique Jewish identities.
Link in bio!
Mishkan Chicago is thrilled to co-host Joey Weisenberg for a one-night-only concert in Chicago! Join us on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00 pm at Wilson Abbey for an evening of delicate songcraft, captivating storytelling, and intimate communal song.
It's National Teacher's Day! Today, we're giving a huge shout out to the Mensch Academy team. Mensch facilitators bring so much creativity and care to their work, ensuring that every child has the one-on-one attention they need to grow into their own unique Jewish identity. We are also so thankful for all of the teachers in the Mishkan community — both the many Mishkanites who work in education as well as the lay leaders who step up to use their gifts as educators in Small Group and learning series. Yay, teachers!
Ever wondered how to read rabbinic texts like a rabbi? Then we invite you to Spring Into Talmud with us! Sharpen your skills with Rabbi Goldie Guy, Director of Hadar Chicago, in this 4-part virtual workshop beginning Wednesday, May 3rd at 7:00 pm. All are welcome, no prior skills necessary!
Link in bio
Tonight! It's our first Friday Night Shabbat in a month. We hope you'll join us for music and inspiration at Second Unitarian (656 W Barry Ave) from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Due to construction, this service will be held in the loft space, which requires climbing a flight of stairs. This also means that we are currently unsure whether or not we will be able to livestream. If we cannot livestream on Friday night, we will release a recording of the service ASAP. Thank you for bearing with us!
Today is Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. And since Israel turns 75 this year, this marks an especially auspicious occasion to reflect on the history of the land we love so that we may build a safe, just future for all who live there.
On Thursday, May 4th at Facets Theater (1517 W Fullerton Ave) at 6:00 pm, Mishkan Chicago is proud to co-host a screening of Advocate (2019) with our partners at New Israel Fund. This acclaimed documentary follows Jewish-Israeli lawyer, Lea Tsemel, as she defends Palestinians and political prisoners for five decades, upholding the principle of innocence until proven guilty and the right to a fair trial.
Say "chesed!" Penny and her mother Miriam attend Mishkan's Morning Minyan almost every day, so we celebrated Penny's BMitzvah in a very special Morning Minyan session yesterday morning.
Today is Yom HaZikaron, Israel's day of memorial for fallen soldiers. Mishkan Chicago was proud to co-sponsor the 18th Annual Joint Memorial Ceremony, an opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians to grieve together and stand strong in demanding an end to the ongoing violence. This year's event, held yesterday in Tel Aviv, was attended in-person by 15,000 people. You can watch the full service online at the link in bio.
Rabbis on ice! That is our own R'Lizzi in an ice skating competition pulling off some seriously impressive moves.
A rabbi of many talents! Thank you to everyone who turned out to cheer on Rabbi Lizzi at her ice skating competition yesterday.