Mishkan Blog
State Of The Mishkan 5786 — Our Annual Report
Every year over the High Holidays, we distribute a State of the Mishkan, our version of an annual report. Below is the opening letter from Rabbi Lizzi and Rabbi Steven. Read the whole State of the Mishkan now to learn more about the health of our organization, all the...
Against the Backdrop of Selfishness and Greed, Be a Blessing
This sermon was delivered at our service on November 1st, 2025. You can listen to this drash on Contact Chai podcast or watch it on our YouTube channel. **** You already heard about Avram, being chosen from all the people on Planet Earth, to enter into a Covenant with...
The Border of Babel
This sermon was delivered at our Friday Night Shabbat service on October 24th, 2025. You can watch this drash on our YouTube page or listen on Contact Chai podcast. **** Has anyone been to the Art Institute to see Paradise Lost by Raqib Shaw? If you haven’t – go (it’s...
In The Beginning… There Were No Kings
This sermon was delivered at our virtual service on October 17th, the night before the October 18th No Kings March. You can listen to this sermon on Contact Chai Podcast. **** Knowing that this Shabbat service was going to coincide with the No King protests all around...
Expressing Our Gratitude — High Holidays 5786
Thank you! Thank you for choosing to spend your High Holidays with Mishkan Chicago! Whether you watched the livestream or attended in person, nearly 200 people came together to make your experience come to life. High Holidays are only possible with the help and hard...
A Case For Joy — R’ Lizzi Yom Kippur 5786
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Yom Kippur service. You can listen to this drash on Contact Chai Podcast or watch it on our YouTube channel. **** For my rabbinic ordination ceremony, we were asked to share one line of Jewish text to represent our rabbinic...
We Have To Care About What Other People Think — R’ Steven Kol Nidre 5786
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Kol Nidre service. You can listen to this drash on Contact Chai Podcast or watch on YouTube channel. **** After a break up, the conventional wisdom is that you should prioritize self-care. Move your body. Eat well. Get plenty of...
This Is A Moral Test — R’ Lizzi Rosh Hashanah 5786
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Rosh Hashanah service. You can listen on Contact Chai Podcast or watch on our YouTube channel. **** Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But...
Sometimes We Stand Alone — R’ Steven Erev Rosh Sermon
This sermon was delivered at our 5786 Erev Rosh Hashanah service. You can listen on Contact Chai Podcast or watch on our YouTube channel. **** The Hasidic master Rabbi Simcha Bunim taught that every person should carry two pieces of paper, one in each pocket. On one...
Feeling Unwelcome In Our Own Spaces
On September 8th, 2025, Rabbi Steven spoke in City Hall during a public hearing on antisemitism held by the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. These are his remarks. **** Thank you for the honor of speaking today. My name is Rabbi Steven Philp and I have the...
May We Rejoice
At our service on August 22nd, we welcomed BluePrint graduates who have chosen conversion into the Jewish people. Terri Shih drashed about her experiences which brought her to Judaism and shared her wishes of rejoicing for us. You can watch this sermon on our YouTube...
Witness
On August 22nd, 2025, we took our conversion candidates to Lake Michigan to immerse at the completion of a year of study and exploration. This ritual is the final step in joining the Jewish people. Mishkanite Judy Yacker served as one of our witnesses; this is a...