Our Sermons
We Cannot Let Our Grief Tear Us Apart — R’Lizzi Rosh Hashanah Sermon
This sermon was delivered at Mishkan Chicago's 5785 Rosh Hashanah service. You can listen on Contact Chai podcast or watch on Mishkan's YouTube channel. **** About a week after October 7th, I found myself sitting at the kitchen table of our Board Chair, Lisa, and I...
“What Did You See That Made You Want To Be A Jew?” — R’Steven Erev Rosh Sermon
This episode was delivered at our 5785 Erev Rosh Hashanah service. **** A few months ago, Mishkan welcomed 30 (!) brand new Jews into our people. They finished the conversion process in August, either at the Community Mikvah in Wilmette or in the waters of Lake...
We Are Commanded To Love
The saddest day of the Jewish calendar is followed by one of the most joyous. In this moving sermon delivered at our August 17th Saturday Morning Shabbat service, Rabbi Steven examined why this is and how the abundant love of Tu B’Av can overcome the excessive hatred...
City of Refuge: Balancing Justice and Compassion
At our August 3rd Saturday morning service, Rabbi Steven delivered a drash about the biblical concept of the city of refuge, places where those accused of manslaughter could seek asylum. In a modern context, how do we balance justice and compassion? How can we employ...
Pride Shabbat: “Call of the Shofar”
This sermon was delivered at our June 21st, 2024 Pride Shabbat service. You can watch this drash on Mishkan's YouTube channel or listen on Contact Chai podcast. ... Shabbat shalom. My name is Aidan Gilbert. My pronouns are He/They, and my adjectives are funny and...
We Are Witnesses for Each Other
This sermon was delivered at our June 15th Saturday morning service. You can watch it now on Mishkan's YouTube channel or listen on Contact Chai podcast. ... The summer of 2011, I studied at a progressive yeshiva in New York. For those unfamiliar with what that looks...