Contact Chai
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Contact Chai episodes

  • Torah and Disaster Relief w/ Alice Miller of NATAN

    Rabbi Lizzi interviews Alice Miller about her work as CEO of NATAN, an Israel-based all-volunteer international disaster relief organization.

    On November 17th, join Rabbi Lizzi live in Chicago for a further conversation with Alice Miller to learn about how NATAN opened the first Israeli humanitarian aid clinic in Gaza. Together, we will learn about the challenges and the opportunities their work provides, how we can support their work, and more about why Israeli doctors, nurses, social workers and others are providing humanitarian aid to those some people would label “the enemy.”

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/conversation-with-alice-miller-ceo-natan-11-17-26/


    42 min
  • The Music of Rabbis Joseph and Nathan Segal — Morning Minyan

    This episode features music of the late Joseph and Nathan Segal, brothers and rabbis who were early pioneers of 1960s Jewish spiritual music.

    Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

    https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

    Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign.

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago.

    Transcript

    30 min
  • Grief, Love, and Camels

    When Isaac met Rebekah, and she fell off a camel, a meetcute right out of a rom-drom — a romantic dromedary. On November 7th, Rabbi Julie delivered a sermon on their touching relationship. When Isaac loses his mother, Rebecca's very presence eases his pain. How can we be present in the suffering of others, even those we have been taught to hate?

    If you’re sick of listening to us asking for reviews and ratings, imagine how sick we are of asking. If we get five reviews by the end of this week…We will still keep asking, but that would be great, so please, pitch in.

    ***

    For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. 

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    Transcript

    13 min
  • Earth-Based, Vibrant Judaism with Jakir Manela, CEO of Adamah

    Rabbi Lizzi interviewed Jakir Manela about his work as CEO of Adamah, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America.

    To get on the Adamah email list go to their website and let them know you're in Chicago, and you can help shape the Chicago Hub as it (hopefully!) comes together adamah.org

    Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign.

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago.

    Transcript

    44 min
  • The Scary Stories We Tell in The Dark

    On Erev Halloween, Rabbi Steven delivered a spooky drash on the Talmudic rabbis’ teachings on ghosts and demons. How do we keep the dreaded bathroom demon away? And what keeps us up at night today?

    ***

    For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. 

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    Transcript

    16 min
  • Morning Blessings and Cheshvan Rest

    Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.

    https://mishkan.shulcloud.com/form/reg-morning-minyan-evergreen

    Support inspired, down-to-earth Judaism by donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign.

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago.

    Transcript

    34 min
  • To Be a Good Partner (for God)

    Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service from October 24th when Rabbi Lizzi delivered a sermon on the original iconoclast, Avram the idol smasher. When we follow the example of Abraham of bucking convention to do what is right, life won't be easy, but that authenticity allows us to partner with God in creating a new world.

    If you haven't already, please smash that subscribe button and leave us a five star review wherever you listen. And consider donating to our 5787 Tzedakah campaign to partner in the work of creating down-to-earth, inspired Judaism.

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    ***

    For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. 

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    Transcript

    29 min
  • Gilgamesh and the Witness Bearers

    Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service from October 16th when Rabbi Julie delivered a drash on the story of Noah. Scholars allege that the biblical flood may have taken inspiration from the Epic of Gilgamesh, but its intended message appears to be quite distinct from other ancient deluge tales. What does the unfolding saga of Genesis teach us about humanity's relationship with our Creator?

    We have appreciated your flood of ratings and reviews — keep 'em coming! Although preferably not by twos...We'll take five stars, please. Those reviews really help people find these doses of Jewish inspiration and learning, so please do take a moment to rate us wherever you listen.

    Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    ***

    For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired Judaism, we invite you to join as a Builder or donate today.

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    Transcript

    15 min
  • Why Wear the Palestinian Flag on A Kippah? A Conversation with Israeli Educator Alex Sinclair

    Rabbi Lizzi is joined by Alex Sinclair, noted Israeli academic and celebrated author who was detained for wearing a kippah with both Israeli and Palestinian flags.

    Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    ***

    For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired Judaism, we invite you to join as a Builder or donate today.

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    Transcript

    55 min
  • Division and the Divine Image — On Zohran Mamdani's 10/7 Vigil

    Today's episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on October 10th, when Rabbi Steven delivered a drash reflecting on the polarized reception to an October 7th vigil attended by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  Did the mayor's statements downplay the suffering of Israelis or did they dismiss the oppression Palestinians? Both? Neither? The answer may lie in the very first chapter of Genesis.

    Do you appreciate this dose of Jewish inspiration? Support Mishkan's 5787 Tzedakah Campaign!

    https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mishkan-chicago/mishkan-high-holidays-2026-5787-tzedakah-campaign

    ***

    For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information about our venues. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. To support Mishkan's important work of creating radically inclusive, down-to-earth, inspired Judaism, we invite you to join as a Builder or donate today.

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/be-a-builder/

    https://www.mishkanchicago.org/support/makeyourgift/

    Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.

    Transcript

    25 min

About Contact Chai

From the publisher's feed

Contact Chai is Mishkan Chicago’s podcast feed, where you can hear our Shabbat sermons, Morning Minyans, interviews with Jewish thought leaders, and more.

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