Shows
You're On MuteEp. 26: Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann Part 2! Yiddish word of the dayRabbi Lizzie of Miskahn Chicago is back! We continue our conversation about Christian and Jewish relationships, the difference and commonalities of our faiths and dive into the Israel/Palestine conflict.
2025-07-172h 01
You're On MuteEp. 25: Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann: Two pastors and a rabbi walk into a bar (Pt 1)Pastors Elise and Mary welcome the wonderful Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann from Mishkan Chicago! It is such a full and compelling conversation about the work of spiritual leadership, building community, interfaith partnerships, and diving into historical and current conflicts in the middle east that affect so many. We barely scratch the surface of what Rabbi Lizzi has to offer and we can't wait to have her on again soon!
2025-04-151h 49
Moral Courage: From the Study of Rabbi Harold M. SchulweisA Conversation with Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, founder of Mishkan ChicagoRabbi Lizzi Heydemann is the founder of Mishkan Chicago, an independent spiritual community in Chicago whose mission is to lead people toward greater purpose, connection and inspiration through dynamic experiences of Jewish prayer, learning and community building. She describes her path to becoming a Rabbi, the early influence of Rabbi Schulweis’ theology on her beliefs, and describes her goal of leading a diverse community that knows that Judaism is alive with Spirit, connection, spiritual and intellectual challenge, and moral awakening. Moderated by Rabbi Ari Averbach, Senior Rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, CA.
2024-09-2750 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Steven — Parashat VayigashEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/****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...
2023-12-2223 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — How Lovely The RuinsIn this morning's virtual minyan, Rabbi Lizzi read from How Lovely the Ruins: Inspirational Poems and Words for Difficult Times, a poetry collection she has been turning to during this painful time. Just try not to cry.Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check o...
2023-10-1935 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Praying & Processing TogetherAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on October 12th, Rabbi Lizzi welcomed dozens of community members to pray for those impacted by the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza, and to hold space for one another to process our own feelings.The song featured in the intro to today's episode was "Tree of Life" by Nefesh Mountain. The creator featured at the end of today's episode was prominent artist Miriam Anzovin whose work can be found at @miriamanzovin on TikTok. Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted...
2023-10-1334 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Sukkot EditionAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on October 5th, Rabbi Lizzi shook things up by welcoming minyan members into her sukkah. That's right — today's virtual minyan was partially in-person!The song featured in the intro to today's episode was "Great Day" by Eddie From Ohio.Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/****
2023-10-0540 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — V'Zot HaBrakhaAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on September 28th, Rabbi Lizzi puzzled over the plight of Moshe at the end of the Torah. Why does the man who delivered us from bondage (and received the Torah itself!) not live to see culmination of that labor? Why does the narrative of the Torah leave off with Moshe dying before making it into the Promised Land? Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks may have some insight into this Mosaic mystery.Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. Y...
2023-09-2938 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — The Yom Kippur SederAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on September 21st, Rabbi Lizzi helped us fill in that sometimes awkwardly normal between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. How can we use this time intentionally as an opportunity to experience the divine?The song featured in today's episode is "Seder Ha'Avoda" by Ishay Ribo, which is a setting of the high priest's ritual at Yom Kippur. Give it a listen while reading along to these profound, ancient words!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECy3CMxShIQEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. O...
2023-09-2128 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Erev Erev RoshAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on September 14th, Rabbi Lizzi rang in the day before the night of the beginning of the first holiday of the Days of Awe!Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/Mishkan Chicago's High Holiday tickets are now on sale to the general public! For scheduling, pricing, venue i...
2023-09-1431 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Selichot EditionAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on September 7th, Rabbi Lizzi prepared us for the High Holidays by teaching us about Selichot.Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/Mishkan Chicago's High Holiday tickets are now on sale to the general public! For scheduling, pricing, venue information, and tickets, follow this link:h...
2023-09-0843 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat NitzavimAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on September 7th, Rabbi Lizzi took us on a journey through Jewish texts in preparation for the High Holidays. The opening song this week was Achat Sha'alti by Chava Mirel.Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/Mishkan Chicago's High Holiday tickets are now on sale to the g...
2023-09-071h 05
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat Ki TavoAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on August 31st, Rabbi Lizzi advocates Veganism. Well, not exactly — you'll have to listen to find out what this week's Torah portion has to say about G_d's original dietary prescription for humans. Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/Mishkan Chicago's High Holiday tickets are now on sa...
2023-09-0134 minContact ChaiElul Week 1: Letting Go of PerfectionismAt our Virtual Morning Minyan on August 24th, Rabbi Lizzi urged us to be gentle with ourselves as we reckon with the past year's shortcomings.The song featured in the opening of this episode is "awaken" by Marni Loffman (@singingjewess) off their new album "the long short path". Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org...
2023-08-2432 minContact ChaiMorning Minyan Meditation with Rabbi Shefa GoldRabbi Lizzi and the Thursday Morning Minyan crew are joined by Rabbi Shefa Gold who leads us in meditative, musical chanting. Plus, we blow the first Shofar blast of Elul!Every weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.https://www.mishkanchicago.org/series/morning-minyan-summer-fall-2023/****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility...
2023-08-1738 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat Re'ehEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our August 10th session, Rabbi Lizzi led us through Parashat Re'eh meditating on the theme of choice. The opening song in this episode was "Wonder / Asher Yatzar" by Rabbi Josh Warshawsky. ****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information a...
2023-08-1034 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat EikevEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our August 3rd session, Rabbi Lizzi schooled (shul'ed?) us on Parashat Eikev. ****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...
2023-08-0937 min
Contact ChaiTisha B'Av and Israel's Judicial CoupEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.Our July 27th session fell on Tisha B'Av, so Rabbi Lizzi took some time to make space for people to grieve the latest tragedy to befall Israel — the ongoing judicial coup and democratic crisis.****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for information ab...
2023-07-2752 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat DevarimEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our July 20th session, Rabbi Lizzi taught us about Parashat Devarim, wherein Moses breaks the bad news that his followers' 11 day tour of the Levant is going to take a little longer than advertised.****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion page for...
2023-07-2131 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat KorachEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our June 22nd, 2023 session, Rabbi Lizzi taught us about Parashat Korach, and Adira had a lot of questions. ****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.
2023-06-2221 minContact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat Shelach LechaEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our June 15th, 2023 session, Rabbi Lizzi taught us about Parashat Shelach Lecha which contains the stories of the twelves spies who are overcome by self-doubt. Well, ten of them are overcome by fear of giants! How does our own self perception limit what we can achieve?****For upcoming Shabbat services and...
2023-06-1530 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat BehaalotechaEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our June 8th, 2023 session, Rabbi Lizzi taught us about Parashat Behaalotecha, the Torah portion which contains the very human story of Aaron's apparent envy of Moshe's unique relationship with God. What's it like to get constantly one-upped by your baby brother your whole life? ****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check o...
2023-06-0939 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat NasoEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our June 1st, 2023 session, Rabbi Lizzi taught us about Parashat Naso, the Torah portion which contains commandments on nazirite vows (like not drinking wine or cutting your hair!), as well as sotah, the ritual drink given to women suspected of adultery.****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar...
2023-06-0129 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — ShavuotEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai.In our May 25th, 2023 session, we prepared for the revelation of the Torah — Shavuot begins tonight! The song featured at the beginning of this episode is עבדו את ה' בשמחה by Yonatan Razel.https://open.spotify.com/track/1XYAxcBNh1A4NZlu3a6nUj?****For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and...
2023-05-2528 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Parashat BamidbarEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai!Our May 18th, 2023 session covered Parashat Bamidbar. This portion is from Numbers, and numbers are sequential, logical, and clear, right? Wrong! It's a wild one — strap in.Tomorrow, May 19th, we will hold a special Morning Minyan send-off for Rabbi Deena who is leaving Mishkan at the end of the month. We invite you to...
2023-05-1835 min
Contact ChaiMinyan Replay with Rabbi Lizzi — Behar-BechukotaiEvery weekday at 8:00 am, Mishkan Chicago holds a virtual Morning Minyan. Our Thursday sessions are hosted by Mishkan's Founding Rabbi, Lizzi Heydemann. You can join in yourself, or listen to all the prayer, music, and inspiration right here on Contact Chai! Our May 11th, 2023 session covered Parashat Behar-Bechukotai. This portion includes instructions on shmitah, the sabbatical year where the land gets a Shabbat of its own. How can we apply this fascinating, liberating concept in modern society? Next Friday, May 19th, we will hold a special Morning Minyan send-off for Rabbi Deena who is leaving...
2023-05-1132 min
Church On The Block31. The exploitation and politicization of Kyrie Irving and Yeezy’s struggle for freedom and truth.On this episode of Church on the Block, guests David Goldenberg, Midwest Director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, founder of Mishkan Chicago a Jewish spiritual community drop in to discuss the impact of Kyrie Irving and Ye the artist FKA Kanye Wests controversial comments on the white Jewish community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-04-0550 min
Contact ChaiSlow Down, Look Up — R'Lizzi Kol Nidre SermonAt Mishkan’s 5783 Kol Nidre service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon inviting us to call out “Hineni!” with Moshe and be fully present in every moment. If you have been moved by any of Mishkan’s High Holy Days services, we encourage you to donate to our High Holidays Campaign.We have a number of exciting Sukkot activities planned this weekend! Join us for Friday Night Shabbat tonight, 10/14, as well as Shake It Off: Sukkah Family Fun on Saturday and LGBTQ+ Interfaith Sukkah Hang on Sunday. Then, on Monday, we're throwing a Simchat Torah dance par...
2022-10-1433 min
Contact ChaiTools For Living In A World That Breaks Your HeartAt Mishkan's Erev Rosh Hashanah service, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann delivered a sermon on learning to live with the heartbreaking circumstances of this world by relying on the tradition passed down to us by sages like Rabbi Eleazar who were no strangers to heartbreak themselves. This episode concludes with the Mishkan Davening Team's performance of "Crowded Table." If you have been moved by any of Mishkan’s High Holy Days services, we encourage you to donate to our High Holidays Campaign.For upcoming Shabbat services and programs, check our event calendar, and see our Accessibility & Inclusion pa...
2022-10-0423 min
Pod DrashSeeing With Our Eyes ClosedWhen we first lay our eyes upon someone, we behold what they offer, willingly or unwillingly. The contour of the figure, the texture of the fabric, the pigment of the skin. This American Life’s Tell Me I’m Fat will help us ask: Can we unsee? Should we try to blind ourselves? And what about me in here, who knows that I’m not seen because of how it (my body) is viewed? Joining host Leon Wiener Dow for The Context segment is Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, Rabbi and Founder of Miskhan Chicago and for The
2021-12-0954 min
Pod DrashSeason 2 Trailer - This Lying World, Alma de-ShikraThis world lies to us, all the time. How can we live in it without giving into its lies? Join host Leon Wiener Dow with a fantastic line-up of guests: Rabbis Angela Warnick Buchdahl, Jay Moses, Sara Hurwitz, Lizzi Heydemann, Amichai Lau-Lavie, Yoshi Zweiback, Bradley Shavit Artson; Slate editor Dahlia Lithwick ; and a whole host of others.Season 2 of Pod Drash drops December 2.Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
2021-11-2301 minContact ChaiShabbat Replay: Jewish Views On Self-Defense (Re: Rittenhouse Verdict)In response to the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse for killing two activists in supposed self-defense, Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann shares timely wisdom from the Talmud on rodef — self-defense against a pursuer. While the rabbis enshrined the right of self-defense, Jewish tradition also warns against wearing weaponry and looking for a fight. Rabbi Lizzi asks whether the tense reunion of Jacob and Esau in this week's parsha might have ended in tragedy if Jacob had gone into the standoff brandishing weapons.To watch our full service from Friday, November 19th, click here. Check out upcoming Shabbat services and programs here...
2021-11-2221 min
Find Your Fierce & LovingConstructing Identity with Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann“There’s an instinct right now on planet Earth for identity groups to be turning inwards, as if that inward turn will protect us from oppression. And that’s the move that we as Jewish people, but also all groups as human people on this planet, need to be turning towards each other.” - Rabbi LizziWhen Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann was growing up, she identified her family as German and Polish, since her grandparents had immigrated from those areas of Europe. However, when she visited Germany, she saw the contrast between a German identity and a Jewish identity...
2021-06-2240 minContact ChaiHumility and Our Shared Liberation with Alexandra Corwin & Tani PrellWe 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.This week, we dive into the fifth theme of the Omer, hod, or humility, with Ale...
2021-04-3038 minContact ChaiThe Enduring Gift of Being Heard with Ilana Gleicher-BloomWe 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.This week, we dive into the fourth theme of the Omer, netzach, or endurance, with Ila...
2021-04-2334 min
Feeding PeopleRabbi Lizzi Heydemann: Radical Presence at the TableRabbi Lizzi Heydemann shares her journey from growing up on the south side of Chicago to her decision to found Mishkan Chicago, a spiritual community "reclaiming Judaism’s inspiration and transformative essence,” and which seeks to “resonate with the next generation, as well as people who have felt on the fringes of the Jewish community.” Rabbi Lizzi also discusses the role that food—and sitting around the table with others who might be different from each other—plays in the life of the Mishkan community, as well as all of our lives. Mentioned on the Show:
2019-12-0449 min
Judaism UnboundEpisode 163: Collective Effervescence - Lizzi HeydemannLizzi Heydemann, the rabbi and founder of Mishkan Chicago, joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg in conversation about creating a 21st Century Jewish spiritual community. In their discussion, she calls for embodied experiences of Judaism that are “primal,” “spiritual,” “bold,” “visceral,” and “powerful.”
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To access full shownotes for this episode, click here.
2019-03-2948 min
Preachers on PreachingEpisode 8: Lizzi HeydemannMatt talks to the founder of Mishkan Chicago about Protestant vs. Jewish preaching, how to avoid a cult of personality, and what churches can learn from a Jewish faith community’s success.
2015-10-3000 min