Contact Chai

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. Today's Morning Minyan features "Kedusha" by Amy Robinson.

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

Mishkan’s Purim Party is March 2nd — do you have your tickets yet? Featuring outrageous sketches and a full Megillah reading, this is shaping up to be our wildest Pruim yet. And if you’re not sure your can make it in-person, you can join via our state-of-the-art livestream.

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/

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

Transcript

Hello, and welcome to Contact Chai. At our service on February 13th, we heard from Builder Sarah Garza Resnick, the President and CEO of Personal PAC. Sarah shared the latest plans of the extremists behind Project 2025 who are gearing up for a further assault on reproductive rights and the freedoms of women, families, and any individual who does not share their narrow agenda.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, please, consider joining us for Purim on March 2nd. As the Talmudic sages remind us, increasing our joy is a mitzvah this time of year, and we really need it right now. There’s a link to register in the show notes. Thank you.

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/

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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

Today’s episode is the first part of a two-part Shabbat Replay of our service on February 13th — Erev Valentine’s Day. What is the hidden meaning behind 2/13? Or 6-7? Builder Devi Stern shared her expertise in gematria (Jewish numerology) to provide some insight.

There is also a hidden meaning behind the numbers 3/2: it’s the date of our Purim Spiel! On March 2nd, we hope you will join us for our annual Purim Party. Register at the link below.

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/adult-purim-2026/

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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

The Megillah isn't history. But what is it? According to Rabbi Lizzi (and the scholars she draws from), it is a burlesque, satire, and farce! Learn how that can inform our relationship to the text, Purim, and living in the Diaspora.

You can sign up for the rest of the classes at the link below:

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/event/reading-the-book-of-esther-as-literature-02-19-26/

Register for our Purim Party and Family Purim Party at the link below:

https://www.mishkanchicago.org/shabbat-holidays/holidays/mishkan-chicago-purim-5786/

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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

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on Saturday, February 7th, when Rabbi Steven connected the wisdom of Shabbos rest to Tu B’Shehvat. In North America, the birthday of the trees is a time when deciduous trees are resting, and, for millions of years, the majestic pine stores burbling sap.

We pine for your reviews. Leave us a five tree-star rating so we can get the word out about this show!

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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

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on January 23rd when Rabbi Steven returned from leading an educational trip to Israel. He shared reflections what it was like to be in a nation consumed by grief and political turmoil, only to return to a nation consumed with grief and political turmoil.

If you’ve been educated or encouraged by Rabbi Steven and want to share your reflections, please drop us a five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen — it helps us a lot. 

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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

Today's Morning Minyan features a teaching by Rabbi Shefa Gold as well as the songs "Modeh Ani" by Omer Adam and “I'm Not Alone” by Aly Halpert.

https://www.rabbishefagold.com/bo/

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

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

Transcript

Today’s episode is a Shabbat Replay of our service on January 17th over MLK Day Weekend. Rabbi Lizzi was fresh off of giving the prayer at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s MLK breakfast where former Vice President Kamala Harris was in attendance. It was kind of a big deal, and if you’re feeling like you missed out, don’t worry, she gives a great recap, just like you get a great recap of every sermon here on Contact Chai Podcast. Have you dropped a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen?

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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

Today's Morning Minyan features the song “Ana El Na” by Aly Halpert.

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

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

Transcript

Today’s episode is an especially musical Shabbat Replay from our service on January 9th. The word of the day in Rabbi Lizzi’s sermon was ger, or “Foreigner.” If You Want To Know What Love Is, this Urgent message will help you stay Hot Blooded in a world that feels Cold As Ice. I don’t know any other songs by Foreigner, but if you can think of another that might fit, include it in your 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. So, how do we retain the wisdom of the outsider in an empire that feels more and more like Pharaoh’s Egypt by the day? Take it away, Rabbi.

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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