MINDFUL MESSAGE: The Unseen Beauty Within
This week, while making dinner, my fiance cut open a head of bok choy and discovered something unexpected: a tiny yellow flower nestled deep inside the leaves. It made me wonder how much beauty we miss…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Tangled at Take-Off
For four years now, a bird has built her nest on the eave of my front porch. I’ve come to love this annual rhythm: watching a mother raise her young until they eventually fly away. Recently,…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Why I Love Israel, Why I Feel Disconnected From Israel
Moishe Steigmann, The Mindful Rabbi, our Executive Director and Rabbi, recently shared a personal reflection on his evolving relationship with Israel, Jewish identity, and spiritual belonging. We are sharing it here in the spirit of thoughtful,…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: The Giving Birthday
There is something quietly sacred about giving not out of obligation but rather out of love. A friend recently chose to celebrate her birthday not with gifts or attention, but by offering her professional talents pro…
Living Faith: How We Live Our Faith In Our Day-To-Day Lives
Last week, I had the joy and honor of sharing about Judaism, my journey, and the stories of Own Your Judaism and Ohel Ayalah at Kairos Collective as part of their Living Faith series. Thank you…
Tikkun Leil Shavout
Thursday, May 21, 8pm to 10pm Tikkun Leil Shavuot is the Jewish tradition of studying Torah throughout the first night of Shavuot to prepare for receiving the Torah, which is commemorated the next morning. Join Moishe…
Shabbat Hike, June 2026
This season’s first Shabbat hike will be Saturday, June 13 at 10am. Our hike leader will be Debbie Calliff. The June hike will take place at the Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park (1500 E. Park…
Cream City Beit Midrash In A Beer Garden!
NEW LOCATION FOR THIS EVENT! Due to forecasted rain for Wednesday evening, the event has been relocated to The Bavarian Bierhaus, downstairs in The Bierstube Room! 700 W Lexington Blvd, Glendale, WI 53217 Registration remains open,…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: WHO IS WISE?
“Eizehu chacham?” Pirkei Avot asks. “Who is wise?” “Ha-lomed mikol adam (the one who learns from everyone).” I never imagined I’d see this teaching come to life at a poker table. Recently, when I was playing,…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Who do you love most?
Seven years ago, my daughter asked me one of the most powerful questions I have ever heard. Indeed, loving myself has been one of my biggest challenges throughout my life, and it took me until my…
JCRC Freedom Seder
Freedom Seder: Growing Stronger Together, a meaningful Passover experience inspired by the historic Freedom Seders that brought communities together in the shared pursuit of justice and liberation. This powerful Seder connects the Jewish story of liberation…
Upcoming April 2026 Events With OYJ
OYJ is proud to present and co-present these upcoming events and programs in April 2026: On Thursday, April 2nd, join My Jewish Learning for the online Second Night Seder led by Moishe Steigmann, The Mindful Rabbi…
Cream City Beit Midrash Presented By Valley Beit Midrash: The Audacity Of Rabbis – And How It Saved Judaism
ABOUT THE EVENT: The rabbis once made a bold, audacious choice that changed the course of Jewish history and saved Judaism. In this class, we’ll trace that pivotal moment and discover how their courage and ingenuity…
Living Faith: An Uncommon Conversation With Moishe Steigmann, The Mindful Rabbi
“An uncommon conversation with Moishe Steigmann, The Mindful Rabbi, Director of Own Your Judaism. The format of the conversation about how we live our faith in our day-to-day lives is done in an interview. We will…
My Jewish Learning Second Night Passover Seder
Join us for a fun and interactive online Second Night Seder! You’re invited to the My Jewish Learning Seder on the second night of Passover (Thursday, April 2nd from 4:30pm to 7:30pm CDT)! Join us for…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: From Scarcity to Abundance
This morning, I had the opportunity and honor to share a brief intention before a clergy meeting of a Faith 250 cohort (https://www.faith250.org/. You can listen to my remarks here https://recorder.google.com/4606edfd-3dad-4e40-be14… or read a transcript below).…
Cream City Beit Midrash: The Audacity Of Rabbis – And How It Saved Judaism
The rabbis once made a bold, audacious choice that changed the course of Jewish history and saved Judaism. In this class, we’ll trace that pivotal moment and discover how their courage and ingenuity can still guide…
Cream City Beit Midrash Events Calendar
Trying to keep up with Cream City Beit Midrash programming? Here is our current calendar of events and learning opportunities, both in person and via Zoom. We will continue to update this calendar as additional events…
MINDFUL MONDAY MESSAGE–The Voucher
I had a $10 voucher to spend at Kohl’s. After shopping, I stood in the checkout line holding three simple items in my hands. In front of me was a woman with a large cart overflowing…
Cream City Beit Midrash: An Unfinished Freedom: Passover As The Birth Of An Ideal
A hybrid event presentation (in-person & virtual) by Rabbi Dr. Armin Langer and Rabbi Moishe Steigmann EVENT CO-HOSTED BY: Congregation Shir Hadash ABOUT THE EVENT: This year, we explore what freedom meant for the Israelites, who was included—and…
Valley Beit Midrash, Co-presented by Cream City Beit Midrash: Torah, Tarot, and Trickery: Judaism’s Take on Magic and Divination
ABOUT THE EVENT: What does Judaism REALLY believe about magic and divination? Join Steven Gotlib, an experienced magician/mentalist and former Tarot-reader, to delve into this fascinating and under-appreciated topic. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Steven Gotlib is the…
Upcoming OYJ Events & Programs
OYJ is proud to present and co-present these upcoming events and programs in March 2026. We have our 1stAnnual Mishloach Manot Making Workshop on Sunday, March 1st, Cream City Beit Midrash Zoom Event (Torah, Tarot, and Trickery: Judaism’s Take…
Mishloach Manot Making Workshop
Mishloach Manot brings together everything we hope Jewish experiences can be: easeful, joyful, and social. From assembling to distributing festive gift bags—and enjoying a few snacks along the way and taking home some swag—this tradition is…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Tu Bishvat Reflection Questions
Today is Tu Bishvat, the Jewish holiday that centers a spiritual connection with the land and reminds us of our obligation and oportunity to care for it. As part of the Seder I led this morning…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Small Acts, Still Sacred
I play Clash Royale, a game on my phone, and I’m part of a clan where people can request card donations to make their deck stronger. Recently, someone asked for Vines and added the message: “Donate…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Faith & Wealth
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, I had the joy and honor of sharing Judaism’s perspectives on Faith & Wealth during a Zoom Webinar hosted by the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. Here is what I shared…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Reflected Light on MLK Day
Late last night, I took a picture of my snow-covered backyard. Though it was the middle of the night, it looked almost like daytime—the moon reflecting light off the snow. On this MLK Day, I’m struck…
MINDFUL MESSAGE: Two Decades Later
Twenty years ago, during my final year of rabbinical school, I delivered this sermon to the community. Each graduating rabbi was invited to offer reflections, and I remember how nervous I felt standing at the pulpit,…
CCBM: Love Is a Verb: Jewish Wisdom for Building Meaningful Relationships
In celebration of Lag Ba’Omer, a day of celebration, music, and weddings, an engaging learning session co-facilitated by Moishe Steigmann – The Mindful Rabbi, and Rabbi Noah Chertkoff, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Shalom. This event is…
TU BISHVAT SEDER
Join Tikkun Ha-Ir and Own Your Judaism at Tricklebee Cafe for a Tu Bishvat seder, where we’ll eat, celebrate, reflect, and organize for food justice in Milwaukee. A Tu Bishvat Seder is a celebration of our relationship…
Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee: Faith & Wealth Webinar
Moishe Steigman – The Mindful Rabbi will be part of a panel discussion and Q&A for this Zoom webinar as representatives of different faiths discuss acquisition or possession of wealth by individuals or societiesfrom their respective…
Music As The Language Of Hope
*This past Sunday, I had the honor of sharing some closing thoughts at a Violins of Hope gathering. Below is the transcript of my words.* We’re each unique, and that’s neither good nor bad. It’s simply…
Leading Others to Do Harm
Adin Ross directed Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua to make an antisemitic gesture on his livestream—a gesture whose offensive meaning Nacua did not appear to understand. In moments like these, we are called to…
Lighting the Menorah at the Milwaukee Admirals Game
Last night, I had the joy and honor of lighting the menorah and welcoming in Hanukkah one night early at the Milwaukee Admirals game on behalf of the Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Jewish…
“It’s Only $10… And It’s Not Mine.”
Over the weekend, my cousin, her middle-school daughter, my girlfriend, and I wandered through a holiday art fair—one of those cozy, colorful spaces where creativity fills the air. As we browsed a booth, I suddenly bent…
HASTEN TO DO GOOD— A Vayera Reflection
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to share a D'var Torah at Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid. Though I don't have the full sermon available, here is an outline in sentence form.