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17th Annual FESTIVAL SEPHARDÍ ~ May 21st thru 24th at Nahalat Shalom 3606 Rio Grande

New Mexico Jewish Journal

30 Nov 2025 — 2 min read

https://www.nahalatshalom.org/festival-sefard-2026

¡Reserva las fechas! Save the dates!
Festival Sefardí 2026: A Tapestry of New Mexico Identity
May 21-24, 2026
Nahalat Shalom
3606 Rio Grande Blvd., Albuquerque, NM

ALL INFORMATION LINKS HERE:

PROGRAM
Schedule / Programa en Español
Tickets
Join the Team - Volunteer Form

**https://www.nahalatshalom.org/festival-sefard-2026**

TICKETS

Festival Sefardí is New Mexico’s only annual celebration of the unique history and culture of the Sefardic Jews in the Southwest. This May, we celebrate our 17th year and are excited about the program taking form!

The descendants of Jews who arrived in New Mexico in the late 16th century, fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, known today as the "Conversos," "Anusim," "crypto-Jews," or "Hidden Jews"—constitute a significant but often overlooked portion of New Mexico’s Hispanic population.

During the weekend, an extraordinary group of artists and scholars will help illuminate this profound history, alongside its significance on New Mexico’s multicultural expression.

Research and public dialogue will be emphasized, including topics such as the Casta system and its Implication Today, and a discussion on Indigeneity and Diaspora with Camilla Bustamante and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb.

The schedule includes ample time for reflection, conversation, movement, and creativity, encouraging participants to share and process their feelings and insights throughout the weekend. Anthony Fleg will facilitate a writing workshop called Writing to Heal, following an experimental somatic exploration on the themes of paradox and multiplicity with Evie Vigil & Blanca Stacy Villalobos of Song Dog Relations.

Other highlights include an art show Fragments of Ritual and Memory, an interactive ritual performance featuring Spanish translations of Indigenous poets by Sandra Marroquín-Evans and Sarah Hogland-Gurulé, a performance of the Prologue scene of the new version of The Merchant of Santa Fe by Ramón Flores, and a phenomenal closing concert by The Sephardic Borderlands Ensemble, whose sound is a unique integration of Sephardic Jewish hymns with New Mexican and Borderlands style, rhythm and music.

https://www.nahalatshalom.org/festival-sefard-2026

TICKETS

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¡Reserva las fechas! Save the dates! Festival Sefardí 2026: A Tapestry of New Mexico IdentityMay 21-24, 2026 Nahalat Shalom 3606 Rio Grande Blvd., Albuquerque, NM ALL INFORMATION LINKS HERE:

PROGRAM Schedule / Programa en EspañolTicketsJoin the Team - Volunteer Form

Read more