Jewish News and History
By Sabra Minkus After a 2000-plus year journey from Israel, a group called B'nei Menashe are in the process of returning to a land they believe is their ancestral home – Israel. They are believed to be the descendants of Manasseh, son of Joseph. They were exiled from northern
immigration issues
By Emily Alvarez Mark M. (name and identifying details withheld for safety) fled his home country in South America in late 2018 after receiving threats that made remaining there impossible. He entered the United States legally on a B-2 visitor visa and, within months, filed an affirmative asylum application, a
Chevra Kadisha
By Gail Rubin, CT Between the general tendency to avoid discussing death, and the rule against revealing one’s participation in a specific tahara, many communities don’t know about the Chevra Kadisha and Jewish rituals they perform around end-of-life. It’s been six years since Kavod v’Nichum last
Jewish European History
by Dianne R. Layden, Ph.D. The short play Etty about the life of Dutch woman Esther “Etty” Hillesum (1914-1943) during the German occupation was performed by Susan Stein in schools and houses of worship in New Mexico in October 2025.* I saw the performance in Albuquerque at Congregation Albert
Hanukkah
By Jim Winnerman It is likely you are aware the United States Postal Service periodically issues a commemorative Hanukkah stamp. Perhaps you have noticed them on the envelope of a Hanukkah card you have received or used them on your own cards and letters around the holiday. The tradition of
Community News
by Denise Suttle This article first appeared in the weekly newsletter of Chavurat Hamidbar, Albuquerque. Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM you’ll find a dedicated group of Chavurah members and community teammates clad in sweats, ball caps, sneakers and aprons—ready to serve fellow New Mexicans. The Roadrunner Food
Op-ed
by Merilee Dannemann “Pre-existing condition.” Remember that term? Fifteen years ago, you heard it all the time on the news. It was the issue that scared the daylights out of millions of Americans who couldn’t get health insurance, or whose insurance was impossibly expensive. A pre-existing condition might have
Op-ed
Michael Baron, Ph.D. with Letter-to-Editor List by State No one can forget the image of Capitol Police Officer Daniel Hodges having his head crushed on January 6, 2021, one of 140 officers injured that day, subsequent to which over 1,500 who stormed the Capitol were convicted of serious
Larry Lesser
Like many Jews, I’m still reeling from the last two years and the continuing rise of antisemitism. A 2025 ADL/World Union of Jewish Students poll found more than three-quarters of Jewish college students now conceal their religious identity. On the other hand, many of us have found that
Winter Issue 2025
KEEP SCROLLING TO READ ABOUT OUR NINE NEW EXCITING STORIES! From Sabra Minkus, Emily Alvarez, Gail Rubin, Dianne Layden, Jim Winnerman, Denise Suttle, Merilee Dannemann, Michael Baron, Larry Lesser, and upcoming Community Events. Through the month of December we are having a Triple Match campaign. All details here on our
Winter Issue 2025
KEEP SCROLLING TO READ OUR NINE NEW EXCITING STORIES! From Sabra Minkus, Emily Alvarez, Gail Rubin, Dianne Layden, Jim Winnerman, Denise Suttle, Merilee Dannemann, Michael Baron, Larry Lesser, plus upcoming Community Events. Through the month of December we are having a Triple Match campaign. All details here on our Donate
TRIPLE MATCH
TRIPLE YOUR CONTRIBUTION! Throughout December every $1 will be matched by $2 = $3. A base subscription of $36 (annually or monthly/ $3) becomes $108. A direct $360 contribution becomes $1080. A charitable tax-deductible donation made through the New Mexico Foundation, our fiscal sponsor, of $500 becomes $1500 (see options below)