Following the mass shooting in Highland Park on July 4th, R’Steven delivered a drash entitled “Despair Is Not A Strategy” at our service on July 8th. In seasons of sorrow, we turn to our tradition and to each other. We invite you to our upcoming services: a Virtual Friday Night Shabbat on July 15th and […]
Our hearts are with everyone in and connected to Highland Park after yet another senseless act of gun violence. We mourn for the seven people who lost their lives and send strength to all of their families and loved ones. We also pray for the numerous people who suffered injuries during Monday’s attack. Many Mishkanites […]
On June 24th, 2022, shortly before the final Shabbat of Pride Month, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In a concurring opinion, Justice Thomas plainly stated his desire to “revisit” Obergefell v. Hodges, the decision which legalized gay marriage in America. To those who would roll back years of progress, we say: “We Will […]
Passover is a story about freedom. But what even is freedom? Rabbi Deena breaks it down ahead of Mishkan’s virtual Passover seder. This sermon was originally delivered at the Saturday Morning Shabbat service on April 8th. You can also listen to it in podcast form on the latest Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai or watch […]
In the wake of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s threats against trans children and their families, Rabbi Steven delivers a passionate drash connecting the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community to the soul-crushing slavery our ancestors were born into which obscured the truth of their identity as bearers of the image […]
This spring, Mishkan welcomed a $25,000 COVID-19 Response Grant which allowed us to distribute funds to those in and beyond our community. In an effort to diversify our impact, we offered support to individuals, hospitals, healthcare workers, and vulnerable communities around Chicago — which you can read about here! But, you may remember that we also received […]
Mishkan welcomed a wonderful gift this last month. We received a $25,000 COVID-19 Response Grant and an additional $5,000 Anonymous Grant, which allowed us to distribute funds to those in and beyond our community during this trying time. When we thought about what would make a meaningful distribution, we realized that to have the biggest […]
We’d love to share about our decision to pray at the historic Vic Theatre this year. You may have heard Pearl Jam or Common or the Indigo Girls play there, but PRAY there? For the past four years we held High Holidays at another historic Chicago building, the Preston Bradley Center, which was built in 1926 as […]
The Narrative of Mishkan’s Strategic Plan “Reveal” One of the more chuckle-worthy jokes in the 2018 Purim Spiel, just a few weeks after our Strategic Plan Reveal, was, “Big reveal? Rabbi Lizzi reveals more during services nursing Judah Lev!” Haha, point taken. We did a big drumroll, and got you all excited that we were […]
We’re thrilled to introduce you to our next fellow, Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh. Two years ago we introduced you to the Jewish Emergent Network, a groundbreaking national collaboration between seven independent spiritual communities, including Mishkan Chicago. Our first project together was a national rabbinic fellowship to train the vanguard of the next generation of spiritual entrepreneurs. We’re thrilled to introduce you to our […]