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Content Warning: This episode briefly addresses sexual assault from minutes 23:00-25:00.

 We continue a period on the Jewish calendar called the Omer — the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot that our tradition observes through a practice of counting, day by day, week by week. We imbue these days with meaning by assigning a different theme to each week that encourages self-reflection and self-improvement for the betterment of the whole community. In that spirit, we’re doing a series of interviews featuring people who have made their life’s work an extension of their lives’ purpose.

Two weeks ago, we began with chesed, “kindness” with guest Rena Rosen. Last week, we dove into the second theme of the Omer, gevurah, discipline or strength, with two very special guests: Mark Achler and Harry Gottlieb. And this week, for week three, we have Jo-Ann Finkelstein on the show to talk about gender, psychology, her work creating The Feminist Parent, an online resource for equity-oriented parenting, and more. We also discuss the third theme of the Omer, tiferet, or integration or balance.

Links referenced in the show:
The Feminist Parent Website
The Feminist Parent Instagram
Jo-Ann's Twitter
Jo-Ann's Psychology Today Profile
Jo-Ann's Medium Profile
The NYT article: It’s OK to Watch 'Schitt’s Creek’ With Your Kids

Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and leave a review. As always, we want to hear from you.

And to stay connected, follow Mishkan Chicago on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about us here!

About Our Guest: Jo-Ann Finkelstein
Jo-Ann is a practicing counselor with a Masters in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern. She’s also a parent who is dedicated to raising inclusive, confident, empathetic and kind people in the face of our culture’s sexist messaging and patriarchal systems. She is a mental health and social justice advocate, and like the other spiritual entrepreneurs featured on this series, has used her professional life and her personal values to launch something completely unique: The Feminist Parent, a website and resource for parents trying to raise kids who know they deserve to reach their full potential (regardless of gender).

About Mishkan Chicago
Mishkan is a spiritual community in Chicago reclaiming Judaism’s inspiration and transformative essence. Not bound by a particular location, we create radically inclusive spaces for Jewish spiritual practice and community, engaging, educating, and empowering people across the spectrum of identity, background, age, and belief.

This week, we hear the live recording of Marni Loffman's drash. As a Challah Back Girls co-founder, TikTok sensation (@singing_jewess), Wesleyan graduate, and all-around great human, Marni offers insight on patience, counting the Omer, our desire for artistic inspiration and magical moments over the mundane logistics of every day life.   

Tune into our full service from Friday, April 9th, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here.

Learn more about Mishkan Chicago. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast for updates on new episodes! And please leave a review. We want to hear from you.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, written by Kalman Strauss.

We continue a period on the Jewish calendar called the Omer — the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot that our tradition observes through a practice of counting, day by day, week by week. We imbue these days with meaning by assigning a different theme to each week that encourages self-reflection and self-improvement for the betterment of the whole community. In that spirit, we’re doing a series of interviews featuring people who have made their life’s work an extension of their lives’ purpose.

Last week, we began with chesed, “kindness” with guest Rena Rosen (if you missed it, go back and take a listen). This week, we dive into the second theme of the Omer, gevurah, discipline or strength, with two very special guests: Mark Achler and Harry Gottlieb. 

Both of these entrepreneurs have spent decades earning their reputations for creativity, problem solving, innovation but importantly, menchie-ness, in business, and specifically in the tech universe. These guys are both the real deal; they practice what they preach, and they’re not above giving and receiving kind and loving feedback.

Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and leave a review. As always, we want to hear from you.

And to stay connected, follow Mishkan Chicago on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about us here!

About Our Guests
Mark Achler is Managing Director of MATH Venture Partners. Prior to MATH, Mark was the Senior Vice President of New Business, Strategy and Innovation for Redbox. He is a serial entrepreneur who has co-founded four companies as well being a partner in an earlier venture fund called Kettle Partners. Mark has an undergraduate degree in Social Studies Education from Purdue University and is a frequent speaker, resource and ardent champion for the entrepreneurial community. He also teaches Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. Finally, full disclosure: Mark is Mishkan’s outgoing Board Chair and is a quiet, behind the scenes, pillar of our community.

Harry Gottlieb is the founder of Jellyvision and Jackbox Games. Specializing in user-experience technology, Harry created a product called ALEX®, which is now used by companies to help millions of employees select medical insurance and other employee benefits in a way that is simple and engaging. In his most recent venture, Unify America, Harry’s goal is nothing short of saving democracy.

About Mishkan Chicago
Mishkan is a spiritual community in Chicago reclaiming Judaism’s inspiration and transformative essence. Not bound by a particular location, we create radically inclusive spaces for Jewish spiritual practice and community, engaging, educating, and empowering people across the spectrum of identity, background, age, and belief.

This week, we hear the live recording of Rabbi Megan GoldMarche's drash from Friday, April 2nd. Tune in for her reflection on Torah in relation to exodus, the departure from Egypt and slavery, and counting the Omer (the count up from Passover to Shavuote). 

Tune into our full service from Friday, April 2nd, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here.

Learn more about Mishkan Chicago. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast for updates on new episodes! And please leave a review. We want to hear from you.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, written by Kalman Strauss.

This week, we hear the live recording of Rabbi Lizzi's drash from Friday, March 26th. Tune in for her reflection on Torah in relation to allyship, liberation, Passover, and the modern-day plagues of white supremacy, racism, ableism and sexism.

Tune into our full service from Friday, March 26th, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here.

Learn more about Mishkan Chicago. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast for updates on new episodes! And please leave a review. We want to hear from you.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, written by Kalman Strauss.

This week we begin a period on the Jewish calendar called the Omer — the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot that our tradition observes through a practice of counting, day by day, week by week. We imbue these days with meaning by assigning a different theme to each week that encourages self-reflection and self-improvement for the betterment of the whole community. In that spirit, we’re doing a series of interviews featuring people who have made their life’s work an extension of their lives’ purpose.

The first week's theme is chesed (loving-kindness) and we are kicking off the series with the incredibly inspirational ambassador for kindness herself, Rena Rosen.

Links referenced in the show:

Knit for a Unique Fit
The Courage to Be Kind
Art of Compassion

Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and leave a review. As always, we want to hear from you.

And to stay connected, follow Mishkan Chicago on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about us here!

About Our Guest:
Rena Rosen is the Inclusion Coordinator for JCC Chicago. She also works as an Early Childhood teacher at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook where she spends her days donning clothes with “Be Kind” emblazoned across the front, teaching kids her life’s mission, which is building kind, inclusive, accepting community. Rena is the founder of Art of Compassion, a platform building a kind, inclusive and accepting community for people of all differences and abilities. As a self-identified kid of the 90s born with craniofacial differences, Rena works from a center of compassion, kindness and courage to bring inclusion into the 21st century. She is the co-author of a children’s book The Courage to Be Kind. And most recently the creator of a Facebook Group Knit for a Unique Fit.

About Mishkan Chicago
Mishkan is a spiritual community in Chicago reclaiming Judaism’s inspiration and transformative essence. Not bound by a particular location, we create radically inclusive spaces for Jewish spiritual practice and community, engaging, educating, and empowering people across the spectrum of identity, background, age, and belief.

This week, we hear the live recording of Rabbi Deena's drash from Friday, March 19th. Tune in for her reflection on Torah in relation to Passover and the need for a new way of being.

Tune into our full service from Friday, March 19th, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here.

Learn more about Mishkan Chicago. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast for updates on new episodes! And please leave a review. We want to hear from you.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, written by Kalman Strauss.

Get prepped for Passover with this BONUS episode for you dear listeners!

Tune in to hear Rabbi Lizzi in conversation with Rabbi Deena  for a  dive into the ancient art of deep-cleaning your kitchen and the power of doing a spiritual check-in six months after the High Holidays.

Looking for more Torah? Check out Rabbi Deena Cowans' podcast The Morning Scroll offering 3-minute, bite-sized parsha study every week.

Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and leave a review. As always, we want to hear from you. And to stay connected, follow Mishkan Chicago on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about us here!

This week, we hear the live recording of Rabbi Steven Philp's drash from Friday, March 12th. Tune in for his reflection on Torah in relation idols, the mishkan, Passover and a year of pandemic,

Tune into our full service from Friday, March 12th, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here.

Learn more about Mishkan Chicago. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast for updates on new episodes! And please leave a review. We want to hear from you.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, written by Kalman Strauss.

This week, we hear the live recording of Rabbi Lizzi's drash from Friday, March 5th. Tune in for her reflection on Torah in relation to a year of pandemic. 

Tune into our full service from Friday, March 5th, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here.

Learn more about Mishkan Chicago. Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast for updates on new episodes! And please leave a review. We want to hear from you.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago. Music composed, written by Kalman Strauss.