Chavurat HaMidbar Fellowship of the Desert
chavurahabq.org
Chavurat Hamidbar Fellowship of the Desert
The Chavurah is an egalitarian, eclectic-traditional community without a building or paid professional functionary. Our prayer leaders and Torah readers are both men and women. Our prayer books and bibles (Sim Shalom, Revised Plaut, New Machzor) are issued by various movements, and we sit mixed, family-style.
All are welcome.
About
The Chavurah was formed in 1973 by a few families to provide an “extended family” for Jewish life in services, celebrations, education and companionship without the encumbrances of a structured congregation such as a building and paid professional functionaries. Chavurat Hamidbar (“The Fellowship of the Desert”) is the full name of our group. When we refer to ourselves as members of the Chavurah (“Fellowship”) we are using the abbreviated form of the noun.
Over the years, we have found a happy, dynamic, common ground. Our membership has remained fairly constant—about 80 families and singles for the past 12-13 years. Our members come from various walks of life. Ages range from young families with babies/children to grandparents and seniors, several of whose children grew up and were married in the Chavurah.
Services
The Chavurah holds occasional Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat potlucks and services; Saturday morning services (traditional, with Torah reading and discussion), and Saturday evening Havdalah gatherings. Services are roughly 50% in Hebrew and English. They are held in members’ homes, with a dairy/parve potluck meal and socializing. Our prayer book is Sim Shalom and the Chumash is Plaut’s (also Soncino).
High Holidays
We hold traditional Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, and welcome guests and college students. We use Machzor Chadash. The location of our high holiday services varies from year to year, so please contact us via the contact form on this website for the location of service.
Festivals
Sukkot, Shavuot, Purim, Simchat Torah, Chanukah and Israel’s Independence Day are celebrated with joy and color at varied locations.
About Our Worship
We defy a conventional definition such as orthodox, conservative, reform. We think of ourselves as being eclectic-traditional. For example, our prayer books and bibles (Sim Shalom, Revised Plaut, New Machzor) are issued by various movements, and we sit mixed, family-style. Our prayer leaders and Torah readers are both men and women. We call families and individuals to the Torah.
Life Cycle Events
We celebrate brit milah in the newborn’s home. We prepare and celebrate the bar/bat mitzvah of our children as an extended family. We welcome adult bar/bar mitvahs as well. We conduct traditional weddings officially recognized by the state of New Mexico. One of our members performs traditional weddings, but couples may choose their own officiant who recognizes Jewish practices. Our chuppah has the names of all the newlyweds embroidered on its rim. We own several plots in a local cemetery that may be purchased by Chavuarh members. Several individuals in the Chavurah have officiated at funerals for members and their immediate families.
For More Info
For more information on upcoming services, check your newsletter. If you are not currently a member and would like more information, please use the contact form.
Read more at our website: chavurahabq.org
Community Supporters of the NM Jewish Journal include:
Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico
Congregation Albert
Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque
The Institute for Tolerance Studies
Jewish Federation of El Paso and Las Cruces
Temple Beth Shalom
Congregation B'nai Israel
Shabbat with Friends: Recapturing Together the Joy of Shabbat
New Mexico Jewish Historical Society
HaMakom - Passionate Judaism in Santa Fe
Chavurah Hamidbar Fellowship of the Desert
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