Support at Maggie’s Place
Mishkan is here for you. We are not only a place for prayer, music, and learning, but we are also a community to turn to in times of need. From offering support groups with other Mishkanites to one-on-one meetings with our Rabbis, we are committed to walking with you through life’s challenges.
Established in Maggie Miretzky’s memory by her family, Maggie’s Place creates new ways to find connection and receive support for all people regardless of background, affiliation, or ability to pay. Our programs include:
- Pastoral meetings online or in person. If you would like to schedule a pastoral meeting with one of our rabbis, please contact our rabbinic assistant.
- Referrals for social services, counseling, and more. Contact Rabbi Steven for more information.
- In-house and partner-run social and support groups. See the dropdowns below for more information on our support group programming.
Grief Groups
In partnership with JCFS, Mishkan offers a variety of support groups centering different types of grieving. Contact Rabbi Steven for more information on these groups.
- Young adults (20s and 30s) who have experienced a close loss within the last two years.
- Navigating the world after the loss of a loved one to suicide
- Those 55 and younger who are grieving the death of their spouse or partner within the past two years.
- Older adults who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner within the last two years.
- Mourning the death of an adult child
LGBTQ+ Support Groups
- Support group for LGBTQ+ youth: Join other LGBTQ+ youth ages 11-18 on our next adventure in Chicagoland! This group is a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to make connections with their peers in a fun, supportive setting and have some fun in Chicago. It’s also drop-in, so any LGBTQ+ youth are welcome to attend without obligation to join us for every event. Want to find out more? Contact Rabbi Ari.
Pregnancy & New Parents
- Build Your Village: Build your community with other new parents of babies (12 months and under)! Build Your Village will be co-led by Music Specialist Rachel Mylan and Leah Whiteman, a Couple and Family Therapist intern who is also a fully trained Couple and Family Therapist and trained Labor and Postpartum Doula and Lactation Educator. Contact: Rachel Mylan
- Baby and Beyond: Are you a soon to be first-time parent expecting a new little one? Join us for this four-part interactive workshop designed to help you prepare for this next chapter: the transition into parenthood. This class is led by Leah Whiteman, a Couple and Family Therapist intern who is also a fully trained Couple and Family Therapist and trained Labor and Postpartum Doula and Lactation Educator. Contact: Rachel Mylan
- Fertility Journey: Join others seeking a space to process their fertility journeys. This program is sponsored by Maggie’s Place in partnership with JCFS. Contact: Rachel Mylan
Sobriety Journey & Addiction Recovery Group
This chaplain-led group is for and by people sustaining recovery from alcohol and other addictive substances together — Jewishly. We grow in understanding our sober Jewish selves and souls through exploring the Torah of our tradition, our experience, and our shared journey together. This is an ongoing, drop-in group. No prior Jewish experience required. Contact: Rabbi Steven
Women's Groups
Rosh Chodesh Circles: Mishkan’s Rosh Chodesh Circle Small Groups are restorative and regenerative spaces for all women — both cisgender and transgender — to reflect, connect, and learn. Drawing upon the beautiful curriculum from At The Well, lay leaders of each circle convene monthly meetings with support from Mishkan staff. Contact: Michael Palmer
Get Connected
Find support groups, experts, resources, and connections with other people who share your story.
Making a Difference
“Community in a time of isolation. A reason to get out of bed.”
“[This program] is a surprising silver lining of pandemic life. It can be easy to fall in a rut, especially these days, and through this I have found support in a kind, loving, and forgiving home base.”
“With the pandemic necessitating so much unstructured time alone, the consistency of caring community continues to carry me through the day. I literally don’t know how I would be surviving this pandemic without my cup flowing over with the love and support of this program.”
From Sharon, Alan & Molly
We can hardly believe how much Maggie’s Place has accomplished since its launch in 2017. With your support, we’re excited to continue building on this success! We’re so grateful for our partners at Mishkan Chicago for helping get Maggie’s Place off the ground and helping us to build something that honors Maggie’s legacy of helping others. Thank you for helping make Maggie’s Place possible and for continuing to support this important work.
About Maggie
Maggie Miretzky was a beautiful and kind daughter, sister, cousin and friend.
She would bend over backwards to help out her family and friends, and to make brighter the lives of those who knew her. She was at the top of her class at Walter Payton High School, attended Northwestern University, and was a practicing doula–a quintessential service profession that perfectly captured Maggie’s generous spirit. She also loved tennis and softball, took pride in all things Jewish, could recite the dialogue from “Friends” from memory, and was known amongst family and friends for her quick wit and classic ‘Maggie-isms.’ Maggie’s Place is our way of paying tribute to Maggie’s memory, establishing her legacy and continuing her life’s work of helping others.
Support Maggie's Place
Your support will secure Maggie’s legacy and directly impact young adults in the Mishkan community and beyond.