Mishkan Chicago

Mishkan Chicago
Religion
Affiliation	Judaism
Rite	(Progressive Judaism)
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Congregation
Governing body	Jewish Emergent Network (past member)
Status	Active
Location
Location	4001 North Ravenswood, Chicago, Illinois 60613 (Administrative offices)
Country	United States
Location of administrative office in Chicago, Illinois
Geographic coordinates	41°57′16″N87°40′24″W / 41.95444°N 87.67333°W / 41.95444; -87.67333
Architecture
Founder	Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann
Date established	2011 (as a congregation)
Website
mishkanchicago.org

Mishkan Chicago is a Progressive Jewish congregation, located in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. ^[1] The congregation was founded in 2011 by Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann ^[2] and was loosely modeled after IKAR in Los Angeles, where Heydemann served as a rabbinic intern. ^[3] The congregation was a member of the Jewish Emergent Network.

Overview

The congregation describes its mission as "lead(ing) people toward more purposeful, more connected, and more inspired lives." The organization creates "Jewish spaces to bring your whole self, and be part of something larger than yourself." ^[4] It also engages in social justice efforts in the city of Chicago, including refugee resettlement and partnership with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. ^{[5] [6]}

Unlike a traditional synagogue, Mishkan Chicago does not have a fixed worship space, and uses multiple locations throughout the Chicago area. ^[7]

The community serves over 5,000 people each year, ^[2] including over 1,400 for annual High Holiday services. ^[3]

Mishkan also provides holistic mental health services, including support groups, through Maggie’s Place. ^[8] Launched in 2017, Mishkan received a grant through the Jewish United Fund to support their work in this field. ^[9]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mishkan transitioned its services to a wholly-online format using Zoom ^[10] and held High Holiday services using a mix of asynchronously recorded video, live video, and socially distanced events. ^{[11] [12]}

References

1. "Progressive Jewish Community". Mishkan Chicago. n.d. Retrieved July 30, 2023.^{[ self-published source? ]}
2. Flanders, Josh (September 10, 2020). "Mishkan Chicago puts an interactive spin on High Holiday rituals". Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
3. Harris, Ben. "Thriving US indie communities roll up their sleeves to 'do' Judaism". Times of Israel . Retrieved January 2, 2022.
4. "Mishkan Chicago: Our Mission". Mishkan Chicago. n.d. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
5. "In Chicago, Iraqi Refugee Family Finds New Home, Support". WTTW News. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
6. "Justice Teams". Mishkan Chicago. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
7. "Women rabbis are forging a path outside denominational Judaism". Religion News Service. April 8, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
8. "JUF News : Spiritual Jewish community launches Holistic Wellness Center". JUF News. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
9. Philp, Rabbi Steven (January 27, 2023). "The Next Chapter at Maggie's Place: JUF Mental Health Initiative Award". Mishkan Chicago. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
10. "Rise to the challenge of blessing the moment". WBEZ Chicago. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
11. Flanders, Josh (September 10, 2020). "Mishkan Chicago puts an interactive spin on High Holiday rituals". Chicago Reader. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
12. Hanau, Shira; Cramer, Philissa. "US Jews prepare for pandemic-era High Holiday season of rupture and resilience". Times of Israel . Retrieved March 19, 2022.

External links

• Official website