Radically Inclusive Jewish Community
Mishkan is a spiritual Jewish community in Chicago reclaiming Judaism’s inspiration and transformative essence. Not bound by a particular location like a traditional synagogue, we create radically inclusive spaces for Jewish spiritual practice and community. We’re on a mission to engage, educate, and empower people across the spectrum of identity, background, age, and belief.
The Torah describes the Mishkan as a tent that the ancient Israelites carried with them through the desert, creating holy space whenever and wherever they stopped to gather in it. They brought God’s presence into its midst, where ever the people would set it up and bring the best of themselves – their hearts, their talents and their treasures. Likewise, we are brought together by our belief that through music, prayer, study and tikkun (repairing the world), we transform ourselves and the world.
Welcome to Mishkan. We’re glad you’re here.
No matter how scary the world gets, books are the best escape! Join Builder Debbie Kaltman for the inaugural book of our new Small Group: "The Matzah Ball" by Jean Meltzer. Please come having read the whole book, but you don’t have to commit to being a part of the group for months in order to participate!
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Hanukkah is nearly here! Check out all of our exciting plans — from our Family Programs to our 30s & 40s Party to our Queer Hanukkah Hang!
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Happy Giving Tuesday! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered with us this year, and to all donated at our Winter Gear Drive. If you're looking to give back today, help keep our newest neighbors warm by donating through our Amazon Wishlist curated by our Migrant Response Team.
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Our friends at IKAR have invited us to join them tomorrow at 10:30 am CT for "Remembering and Rebuilding: A Conversation with Kibbutz Kfar Azza Survivors". In the wake of the devastating attacks on October 7th, we will have the opportunity to speak with survivors and family members from one of the communities hardest hit. Please join us as we hear from residents of Kibbutz Kfar Azza—about what they experienced that day and in the following weeks, about their efforts to rebuild, and about what we, as a Jewish community, can do to support them.
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We are horrified by the recent shooting of three Palestinian college students over the weekend. We are praying for a refuah shleimah — a complete and speedy recovery — for Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad.
We are reminded of the words of Rabbi Lizzi, "We have an obligation to take care of each other and to not let our fear get in the way of our love at home in Chicago or wherever we may live, and to condemn Islamophobia and antisemitism when we see it. Polarization, toxicity and dehumanization is part of how we arrived here. Let’s not make it worse in the way we treat one another."
On this Thanksgiving day, we are beyond grateful for the planned release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for a 4-day ceasefire in the region. We are praying for the release of the remaining hostages and for a sustainable solution that lays the foundation for a safe and peaceful future for all who call Israel and Palestine home.
For action steps on what you can do to advocate for the release of the remaining hostages, visit @bringhomenow. If you're interested in learning more about Mishkan's approach to the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza, please see our webpage for topical sermons, resources, and more: https://www.mishkanchicago.org/learn/courageous-conversations-on-israel/
Calling all Trans and Non-binary youth ages 11-18! We're heading to the Adler Planetarium for another fun meeting of our drop-in Trans & Non-binary Youth Group.
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Hey, Mishkan Builders! Looking for somewhere to volunteer between Thanksgiving and Hanukkah? Join us for another Builders In Service at JUF Uptown Cafe on November 30th at 5:30 pm. We will be preparing hot Kosher meals for those in need, and we could use a few more hands. Can you pitch in?
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Thank you, Builders!
On Monday, 11/27 at 6:30 pm CT, the Center fort the Study of Religion is holding a "Teach-in for Peace in Gaza & Israel". The evening will be moderated by Professor David Myers, UCLA Distinguished Professor & Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History. We invite you to join us in this night of learning and working toward peace.
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As we move toward Hanukkah, a holiday of rededication, we invite you to ask yourself “what does it mean for you to be a Jew?” This workshop is a deep dive into what it means to be Jewish — to you! Join Rabbi Steven for this three-part virtual series beginning Wednesday, 11/29 at 7:00 pm.
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Hey families with kids in Kindergarten through 1st Grade — we're making our own snow day, Mishkan-style! On December 2nd, at 4:00 pm, we invite you to bundle up and join us for a snow day party filled with winter-themed activities and games, a hot chocolate bar, havdalah, and a pizza dinner.
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Team Mishkan is taking a break! The week of Thanksgiving will be an office closure for Mishkan HQ. Our office will be closed through Sunday 11/26, so please allow for extra time in hearing back from us. Note that this office closure will not impact any of our programming between 11/17 and 11/26. Thank you for your patience!
We have two services this weekend! Tonight, join Rabbi Steven for a special Virtual Friday Night Shabbat at 6:30 pm in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance, featuring a special guest speaker — Avery Komlofske. And on Saturday, we have services at 9:30 am at Mishkan HQ complete with our regularly scheduled Family Programs.
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Check out this fascinating article in the New York Times (link in bio) about the work of Standing Together, past featured speakers at Mishkan and a grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of a shared future of peace.
Cara Raich, a conflict adviser, shares, "As with most conflicts one feels deeply and personally, a binary choice often offers the simple comfort of pro and con, or right and wrong,” she said. “The magnetic power of false binaries sucks everything that it touches into that paradigm.”
Read on for more — link in bio.
Keeping our newest neighbors warm! Thank you to everyone who donated last Friday at our Winter Gear Drive. You can still help by donating through this Amazon Wishlist curated by our Migrant Response Team — link in bio.
Are you in recovery from alcohol or other addictive substances? This new facilitator-led group — by sober folks for sober folks — will help you explore how Judaism and Jewish values can sustain us on our recovery journeys. Join us for our first session on Monday, November 20th at 6:45 pm in Maggie's Place at Mishkan HQ.
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This Saturday at 2:00 pm, we're taking a trip to the Dice Dojo for an entertaining afternoon of tabletop games! This educator-led group is a safe space for neurodiverse adults (18+) to make connections with their peers in a fun, supportive setting.
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"Our tradition recognizes that our pain can be a source of incredible power, because it is the foundation of an empathy that facilitates connection at the very moment when we are tempted to pull away from each other."
You can read the rest of R'Steven's sermon on the Mishkan Blog, watch it on the Mishkan YouTube channel, or listen on our podcast, Contact Chai.
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Executive Director Rachel Cort attended the rally in DC yesterday with colleagues from the Jewish Emergent Network, where she stood with the Peace Bloc, organized by the Americans for Peace Now in partnership with JStreet and T'ruah. The Peace Bloc stood "in solidarity with the people of Israel, in solidarity with the hostages held in Gaza and with their families, and in solidarity against the alarming rise in global antisemitism."
Tonight! Join us for Friday Night Shabbat at Second Unitarian at 6:30 pm. In addition to your regularly scheduled davening and inspiration, our Migrant Response Team has organized a Winter Gear Drive — check out the link in bio for more information on needed items.
Tonight, we need your help with a Winter Gear Drive organized by our Migrant Response Team. As it gets colder by the day, it's vital that we welcome our new neighbors with the supplies they need for a Chicago winter. Check out the link in bio for more information on needed items, and then simply bring your gear with you to services tonight at Second Unitarian at 6:30 pm.
Thank you to our friends @rising.song.institute for leading us in this beautiful niggun!
Ever wonder how D Team does it? Come jam with us on Saturday, November 18th at 6:00 pm! Learn the musical methods of Mishkan's Davening Team directly from our Music Director, Matthew Ellenwood. Sing in community and make new friends — all music and singing levels welcome!
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We invite you to join us tomorrow morning at 8:00 am CT as Rabbi Steven leads us in observing Sheloshim for all those lost in the October 7th terrorist attack.
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Rabbi Lizzi is on sabbatical! After over a decade of dedicating herself to the ongoing creation of our spiritual community, Mishkan Chicago's Founding Rabbi is taking a three month leave. You can read more about R'Lizzi's plans and intentions on the Mishkan Blog.
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Tomorrow! We're on for Saturday Morning Unplugged at Mishkan HQ. Join us at 9:30 am to stretch out your body and soul as we daven and learn together. Please note that there will be no Family Programs at services tomorrow.
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Do *you* celebrate Halloween? Let us know!
Tonight is Rabbi Lizzi's final service before taking a well-deserved sabbatical! Join us at Second Unitarian (656 W Barry Ave) at 6:30 pm for music, inspiration, and happy tears. Will we see you there?
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On Saturday, 11/4 at 3:00 pm, Mishkan and Maggie's Place invite you to join other Trans and Non-binary youth ages 11-18 at Dice Dojo! This group is a safe space for Trans and Non-binary youth to make connections with their peers in a fun, supportive setting and have some Queer fun in Chicago.
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We all need some wholesome content right about now, so please enjoy Davening Team member Benjie playing Steven Chaitman's Hashkiveinu to Nugget the bunny.
Sing with Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz! On November 7th at 8:00 pm, Mishkan and Hadar Chicago invite you to join in heart-opening, participatory niggunim singing. All voices welcome into this uplifting communal space.
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It's almost Shabbos! Tonight's Virtual Friday Night Shabbat begins at at 6:30 pm — join the livestream on the Mishkan YouTube channel.
Then, on Saturday morning, we will meet in the Mishkan Office for an extra special Saturday Morning Unplugged. On the 25th anniversary of her BMitzvah, Rebecca Silverman will deliver a drash. We will also be joined by Joel Braunold Mensch parent and Managing Director of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. Services begin at 9:30 am with Rise & Shine for kids 0-4 at 10:00 am and Mah Tovu for kids 5-8 at 11:00 am.
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Following its sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in January, “We Are Here” comes to Chicago for a one-night musical experience directed by Mishkan's own Eli Newell. "We Are Here" was created in recognition of the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 assault on thousands of Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes. This unique revue features songs that were written in the ghettos and concentration camps of Nazi-occupied Europe, interspersed with true stories about the writers’ lives. A “NY1 Theater Pick” that Broadway World called “incredible” and “powerful”, “We Are Here” pays tribute to the artists murdered during the Shoah who, in the worst of times, continued to create.
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Navigating the tragedy unfolding in Israel and Gaza can be complicated, especially for Jews-by-Choice who carry multiple identities and exist across communities. On Monday, 10/23 at 6:30 pm, join R’Steven in a safe, confidential space for converts by converts to talk about how we are responding to this crisis, including caring for ourselves and others.
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Last Friday, we were joined in-person by 250 community members for Kabbalat Shabbat. This was our highest attended service since the start of the pandemic, not including the additional 250+ Mishkanites joining us virtually. Thank you for bringing your whole selves to this beautiful outpouring of grief, hope, and solidarity with the afflicted.
We hope you'll join us this weekend for Virtual Friday Night Shabbat at 6:30 pm and Saturday Morning Unplugged in the Mishkan Office at 9:30 am.
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This was going to be a promotion for Mishkan's Family Camp at OSRUI coming up November 3-5, but our talent had other plans. Learn more about this restful, fun retreat at the link in bio.
Following the horrifying, racially motivated murder of a six year old Palestinian-American child in the Chicago area, Mishkan Chicago joins over 100 Jewish organizations in condemning Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate.
Since Hamas’ terror attacks in Israel on October 7th, we’ve seen bigots and extremists exploit the crisis to spread hate, disinformation, and extremism.
This is a moment of deep Jewish pain, mourning the lives taken and praying for the safe release of the hostages in Gaza – and this pain and fear is compounded by a horrific rise in antisemitism here in the United States and around the globe.
We also know that we are not the only ones being targeted in this moment. Our Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American neighbors are facing bigotry, threats, and violence – including the despicable murder of a six-year-old child this weekend outside Chicago, by a man who reportedly espoused anti-Muslim hate.
Let us be unequivocally clear: The Jewish community rejects Islamophobia, anti-Arab hate, antisemitism, and all forms of bigotry. Particularly as extremists continue to exploit this moment, we are reminded that all of our communities’ safety and futures are inextricably linked — and recommit ourselves to fighting hate in all its forms.
We stand in solidarity with all our neighbors under threat, and urge our elected and civic leaders, law enforcement, schools and universities, and employers to make clear there will be zero tolerance for any act of hate.
Tonight, we will gather for Friday Night Shabbat at Second Unitarian at 6:30 pm. Join us for musical davening, words of comfort, and much needed togetherness at the end of this difficult week.
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We are here for you in these frightening times, and for all who are caught in this violence through no fault of their own. Let us pray for peace.
Mishkan's Family Camp at OSRUI is an opportunity to power down, learn, and restfully celebrate Shabbat with other Builder families. Learn more about our upcoming trip November 3-5 at the link in bio.
UPDATE: In-person registration has closed, but this event will be livestreamed — link in bio.
Tonight at 7:30 pm, Mishkan joins other Jewish communities at Anshe Emet Synagogue for We Stand Together. We will pray for the safety of the Israeli people and for all civilians impacted by the recent horrific violence. This event will be livestreamed.
Tomorrow morning, October 9th, we will gather virtually in community for Morning Minyan from 8 am - 9 am CT. We will include prayers for safety and peace in Israel followed by space to hear from Rachel Goldberg about life on the ground there and processing in community.
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We stand in solidarity with all victims of this violence. As more details emerge, we will share them with our community, but we wanted to alert you of a briefing today at 1:00 pm CT hosted by AJC and JFNA — follow the link in bio.
November 3-5, we're taking Mishkan Builder families on an all-inclusive weekend trip to OSRUI. Join us for quality time and community building the weekend of November 3-5 as we celebrate Shabbat, power down, and learn together. Room and board, all meals, activities, and even babysitting are provided — all you have to do is show up!
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Simchat Torah is the ultimate dance party. Literally! We are commemorating the end of a year of Torah readings by dancing with the Torah. Join us tonight at 6:45 pm at Anshe Emet to dance, study, and nosh.
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Tomorrow! Come dance with us on Saturday as we celebrate Simchat Torah with our friends at Anshe Emet and Base LNCLN. There is kids' programming at 4:30 pm, and our dancing + study session begins at 6:45 pm.
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Mishkan's Family Camp at OSRUI is a special opportunity to power down and celebrate Shabbat with fellow Mishkan Builder families. Join us for quality time and community building the weekend of November 3-5. Room and board, all meals, activities, and even babysitting are provided — all you have to do is show up!
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Celebrate Shemini Atzeret with us (whatever it is!). Rabbi Lizzi will lead services this Saturday at 10:00 am along with indie Evanston minyan Shirat Ha'Agam.
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Our sukkah felt even cozier thanks to all of you! It was nice seeing so many Mishkanites at our Shabbat Sukkah Hang.