Halloween Briefs from New Mexico Jewish Journal Oct. 31, 2025

First off, Saturday Nov. 1st, 5:15 "CULTURAL ROOTS OF CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM and its Implications for American Jewry" lecture by Ron Duncan Hart, to be followed by Havdalah with Rabbi Neil Amswych. Temple Beth Shalom, Santa Fe. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: RSVP https://sftbs.shulcloud.com/form/havdalah.html/.

By the way: click above "VIEW IN BROWSER" for best viewing of Newsletter email

READ RON'S AWARD-WINNING SERIES ON CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM HERE.

ADL TAKES A STEP BACKWARDS

A Note from the Editor: We were dismayed to learn that, as reported on October 29th by Ron Kampeas at the Jewish Telegraph Agency, JTA.org, that "ADL removes ‘Protect Civil Rights’ from website as it narrows its mission amid right-wing attacks."
We are reminded that throughout history Jews have had to 'go along to get along,' but that this slippery slope, acquiescence in the face of pressure, is no guarantee that things will not get worse. Now more than ever, we need to stand strong against the forces of authoritarianism. – Diane Joy Schmidt, Publisher and editor, New Mexico Jewish Journal. October 31, 2025

Life in the Whelm

From someone we are proud to call our friend, watching her career grow over the years, Cassie McClure, straight out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, now the nationally syndicated columnist of My So-Called Millenial Life and also now Districe 1 City Councilor there, here is a brief excerpt from a recent column, "Life in the Whelm," about speaking with folks, that is in the spirit of the season:

"It's like carving a pumpkin. Every time I sit with someone, I scoop out a little more of myself. The walls grow thinner with each cut. Light shines through, and I can carve in new shapes and designs, but the structure that holds it together is fragile. If I make too many cuts, the pumpkin can cave in.
That's the quiet cost of authenticity. You can't both shine and stay whole without replenishing. Each stage demands more of you, new rules to follow, and fresh stamina to keep up"

Here's the OCT-NOV ISSUE OF eleven stories in case you haven't read them all yet!!, then see UPCOMING Events FROM OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTER ADVERTISERS. Become an advertiser
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Policy Statement Acceptance of advertisements does not constitute an endorsement of the advertisers’ products, services or opinions. Likewise, while an advertiser or community supporter's ad may indicate their support for the publication's mission, that does not constitute their endorsement of the publication's content.

ALL 20 HOSTAGES RELEASED - See NEWS around the World

All 20 hostages have arrived in Israel as of October 13th, 2025. VIEW how this is being reported around the world. View front page and homepage news around the world on the morning of Oct. 13. (Selected screenshots by Diane Joy Schmidt for NMJewishJournal.com - shared under fair use

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Personal essay written on Oct. 13th from Marisa Fox, the Filmmaker of “My Underground Mother”

“Freedom fighter, double agent, femme fatale — Tamar said she was all three. Decades after her death, a page she wrote in a diary from a Nazi-run women’s camp reveals a hidden identity, leading her journalist daughter on a global reckoning with the secrets she took to her grave.” “My

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How The David Specter Shalom House and the Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque Came to Be

By Howard Friedman David (Dave) Specter was a local Albuquerque businessman and co-owner of Zeon signs. His elderly mother was in poor health and he wanted to find a facility that catered to senior Jews who needed a place to live where they could be cared for. Since there was

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LOCAL NON-PROFITS EMPOWER IMMIGRANT FAMILIES TO FIGHT FEAR WITH PREPARATION

By Emily Alvarez Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security have made their mission clear: Detain and deport a record number of immigrants in the United States, regardless of criminal history or ties to the country. The heightened number of detentions and deportations has had catastrophic consequences

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“Extinguished Lives” world- premier short documentary; interview with filmmaker Roberta Grossman

“When a young bride and her husband escape the Nazi onslaught for the safety of her childhood home—a remote Jewish village in Lithuania—they discover that the most chilling threat may come not from the invaders, but from those they once called neighbors.” “Extinguished Lives” is the world premiere

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A Hidden Jewish Voice from the Spanish Inquisition: Torture in Cartagena

By Ron Duncan Hart Warning: This article is for a mature audience and contains the vivid original Inquisition description of the torture of a Portuguese Jew. Tens of thousands of voices of hidden Jews are recorded in the archives of the Spanish Inquisition. In their trial records we can see

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Hear smart people talk about interesting ideas: New voices in NM Jewish Historical Society Speakers Bureau

by Norma Libman I’ve spent the better part of the past year talking to smart people about interesting ideas. What could be more fun? Visit Speakers Bureau at www.nmjhs.org under Programs tab Actually, I was on assignment from the Board of NMJHS to refresh and revamp our

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La Torah ~ Simchat Torah 5786

This image, which is titled in Ladino “La Torah,” emphasizes the lifting of the Torah standing on the letter chet, the gateway to infinity and life, explains Gloria Abella Ballen, artist. Created for the New World Haggadah with Ilan Stavans (Gaon Books), she said, “Above the scrolls it says La

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Do You Know What Your School Board Candidates Think About Anything? Maybe it’s Time to Find Out

by Karen Wentworth, League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico Early voting begins October 18. Absentee voting is already in progress, but there is still so much voters haven’t had a chance to think about. Do you know how you’ll vote on the 11 bond issues the

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Here is a bit of help preparing for the upcoming local elections

by Merilee Dannemann New Mexicans, it’s time to focus attention on your own local community. Statewide local elections are coming in a few weeks: November 4, the first Tuesday in November. Local elections are usually more important than most of us realize, especially now as conflicting national priorities may

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NATURE HEALS: Eco-Therapy for Recovery and Resilience

By Dan Pava Since October 7, 2023, tens of thousands of Israelis have experienced life-altering trauma. Families were forced from their homes, children witnessed unimaginable violence, and entire communities were uprooted. The resulting fear, grief, and emotional turmoil have left over 3 million Israelis suffering from psychological distress due to

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Hear more live music from the October 7th Remembrance Albuquerque and photos on the Life Cycles tab here.

KEEP READING ALL PAST ISSUES - See the new Past Issues tab! Click here. Here was our last issue - did you read: How Nixon helped the Taos Pueblo. What NM Clergy are doing in Retirement. Rabbi Dr. Jack Shlachter: 30 Years a Rabbi. Keep reading!

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NEW MEXICO ~ ACT NOW for 2025: Unique Charitable Giving Opportunities ~ JCF Grants to Immigrant and Refugee Organizations ~ NM on track to create $6.8 million in endowed gifts ~ Meet: Sarah Winger, new Executive Director

READ JCF increases grants to Immigrant and Refugee Organizations in the FALL Issue here: Jewish Community Foundation Increases Grants to Immigrant and Refugee Organizations after an Influx of DonationsBy Vivian Skadron, JCF Grants Committee, Co-Founder of the JCF Immigrant and Refugee Assistance Fund This month, the Jewish Community Foundation of

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NM JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ~ FALL CONFERENCE Nov. 2, 40th Anniversary ~ New SPEAKERS BUREAU! ~ Rabbi Jack Shlachter “18 Jewish Artists” Jan. 20

READ ”“Hear smart people talk about interesting ideas: New voices in NM Jewish Historical Society Speakers Bureau” by Norma Libman October, 2025 View online now: Naomi Sandweiss Willie, “Jewish Military History 1846 to 1946″Watch the recording now on YouTube https://youtu.be/EU-AhltrFUE?si=8qy6oNkSknwslLRN NEW MEXICO JEWISH HISTORICAL

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STORYTELLING FESTIVAL OPENING EVENT NOV. 13!

STORYTELLING FESTIVAL NOV 14-16!!

NEW MEXICO JEWISH STORYTELLING FESTIVAL NOV. 14-16, 2025 Albuquerque

Registration, schedule & complete information at https://www.nahalatshalom.org/storytelling CLICK: Jewish Storytelling Festival For questions, email Magiddah Batya Podos at: nmjewishstorytelling@gmail.com. A Program of Nahalat Shalom 3606 Rio Grande Blvd NW Albuquerque, NM 87107 SIGN UP AND SUBSCRIBETIP JARRETURN TO HOME HERE FOR MORE STORIES Community Supporters

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BOOKFEST!! NOV 16th IN PERSON from BOSTON

BOOKFEST TICKETS & BOOK PURCHASES: 

https://www.jccabq.org/bookfest or call 505-418-4469

BOOKFEST NOV. 18th at 11 a.m RABBI ANGELA BUCHDAHL

BOOKFEST TICKETS & BOOK PURCHASES: 

https://www.jccabq.org/bookfest or call 505-418-4469

CONGREGATION ALBERT ~ ABQ MAYOR DEBATE OCT. 12 Brunch and Debate ~ SCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIES Register Now! ~ Jewish life in Albuquerque

Welcome to Congregation Albert, your center for Jewish life in Albuquerque! To see more articles return to HOME 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

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SHABBAT WITH FRIENDS ~ Dimensions of Jewish Culture Exploring the Jewish Experience w Rabbis Dov Gartenberg & Jack Shlachter, sign up now for FALL ~ Don’t Miss: Fall Shabbat RETREAT in Truchas, NM Oct. 24-26

DON’T MISS OUR FALL RETREAT! DETAILS: https://www.shabbatwithfriends.org/event-details/swf-fall-shabbat-retreat-in-truchas-nm-oct-24-26-2025 Shabbat with Friends: Recapturing Together the Joy of Shabbat. Learn about our Shabbat Gatherings in Santa Fe and Albuquerque at https://shabbatwithfriends.org. The mission of Shabbat with Friends is to recapture together the joy of Shabbat (Oneg

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WHERE THE NORTH ENDS, A Novel by Hugo Moreno ~ Accused of being a heretic in 17th century New Mexico ~ forthcoming from UNM Press

Return to HOME 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

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Jewish Federation of El Paso & Las Cruces

The Jewish Federation of El Paso & Las Cruces serves the Jewish community by engaging, connecting, supporting and celbrating Jewish life, values, and culture in El Paso and Las Cruces, Israel, and beyond.

Jewish Federation of El Paso & Las CrucesCommunity Security Recommendations Following the Military Action in Iran

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
Where the North Ends, A Novel by Hugo Moreno 

Policy Statement Acceptance of advertisements does not constitute an endorsement of the advertisers’ products, services or opinions. Likewise, while an advertiser or community supporter's ad may indicate their support for the publication's mission, that does not constitute their endorsement of the publication's content.

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