Mishkan Blog
Decarbonization Tips From The Mishkan Sustainability Justice Team
Give the trees what they really want for their birthday — decarbonization. Recently, Rabbi Steven spoke with environmental activist Hans Detweiler for Tu B'Shevat (listen on Contact Chai!). Hans is a member of the Mishkan Sustainability Justice Team, and a longtime...
What If We Are The Egyptians In The Exodus Story?
At our Friday Night service on January 27th, following a painful week of mass shootings, Rabbi Deena delivered a drash on this week’s parsha from Exodus comparing its plagues of death to our own. You can listen to this sermon on the latest episode of Contact Chai...
The Next Chapter at Maggie’s Place: JUF Mental Health Initiative Award
Six years ago when we created Maggie’s Place, we knew that offering a mental and emotional wellness center housed inside of our spiritual community was a revolutionary and necessary step toward caring for the health of our community. In the last few years, the Jewish...
Puss In Boots, Patriarchs, and Purpose
At our Saturday Morning Shabbat service on January 7th, Rabbi Lizzi addressed the themes of suffering and redemption in Parsahat Vayechi, as well as in the greatest masterpiece in modern cinema — Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. You can also listen to this sermon on the...
Not By Might!
At our December 16th service, Rabbi Lizzi delivered a drash on the endless debate over the true meaning of Hanukkah, the Jewish story’s cycle of violence and victimhood, and the coming AI apocalypse. You can hear this sermon on the latest Contact Chai Podcast. If you...
This Hanukkah, Shine Your True Light
At our December 17th Saturday Morning Shabbat, Rabbi Steven delivered an inspiring sermon on the inclusive universality of the hanukkiah. You can hear this sermon on the latest Contact Chai Podcast. If you have been inspired this year by the songs, sermons, and...
We Are A Constellation: Creating Light Together In A Dark World
After weeks of antisemitic tirades in the news, the world seems especially dark and cold right now. At our virtual service on November 18th, Rabbi Steven looked to the stars for inspiration on how to create a little warmth and light in a world. You can listen to this...
Combatting Antisemitism With A Flood of Pride, Joy, And Love
In response to antisemitism in the news, R'Steven Philp delivered the following sermon encouraging us to push back by being proudly, joyously Jewish, at our October 28th, 2022 Friday Night Shabbat service. You can listen to the service, which includes songs by...
Confessions On Gratitude
At our October 14th Friday Night Shabbat service, we were joined by guest speaker Jonathan Mendoza to celebrate Sukkot and Hispanic Heritage Month. Mendoza is an award-winning Jewish and Mexican-American community organizer, spoken word poet, social justice educator,...
Where It Began…
At Mishkan’s 5783 Yom Kippur service, Rabbi Deena Cowans delivered a sermon inviting us to bravely begin new things, even (especially!) if we aren't very good at them at first. You can also listen to this sermon on the Contact Chai podcast. If you have been moved by...
Slow Down, Look Up
At Mishkan’s 5783 Kol Nidre service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon inviting us to call out "Hineni!" with Moshe and be fully present in every moment. If you have been moved by any of Mishkan’s High Holy Days services, we encourage you to donate to our High...
Tools For Living In A World That Breaks Your Heart
At Mishkan's 5783 Erev Rosh Hashanah service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon on learning to live with the heartbreaking circumstances of this world by relying on the tradition passed down to us by sages like Rabbi Eleazar who were no strangers to heartbreak...