NM Jewish Journal Newsletter Sept. 20 2026 ~ Yom Kippur 9 Tishrei 5787

We have five new stories for you:

• What the Story of Jonah Reveals, by Judith Fein
• "Let your learning be sweet," a teaching from Rabbi Min Kantrowitz
• What the Ancient Romans can teach us about Elections, by Merilee Dannemann
• How the Talmud shaped copyright law, by Aidan McGloin — a young man we met in San Diego, whose story came to us synchronistically
• Temple Beth Shalom's 70th birthday in the City Different, as covered by Carina Julig, courtesy of the Santa Fe New Mexican

A Quick Guide for Yom Kippur:
What are appropriate greetings for Yom Kippur?
G’mar chatima tova (gih-MAR chah-tee-MAH toe-VAH), meaning 'May you be sealed for good in the Book of Life.' גמר חתימה טובה
Tzom Kal, meaning ‘May you have an easy fast.’  צום קל

When do you fast? Fasting begins usually 18 minutes before official sunset on the eve of the holiday, on Erev Yom Kippur, September 20th thru sunset following Neilah on September 21st.

What to wear? Generally it is appropriate to wear white to services. Leather shoes are also traditionally avoided, as a form of self-denial on the fast.
When is tashlicht done? Tashlicht is traditionally done the first day of Rosh Hashanah, but if it is missed, it can be done before the first Yom Kippur service, or, any time up to the end of Sukkot.

Yom Kippur is the only commemoration in the Jewish calendar with five distinct prayer services. 

The Five Services:

• Maariv (with Kol Nidrei): The evening service that starts the holiday, famous for the solemn Kol Nidrei declaration annulling vows.
• Shacharit: The morning service, which includes special Torah readings and the Yizkor memorial prayer.
• Musaf: The additional morning service that features a detailed recounting of the historic Temple service.
• Minchah: The afternoon service, which includes reading the Book of Jonah.
• Neilah: The final "closing of the gates" service at sunset, ending with a single long blast of the shofar. 

View the New Mexico Jewish Journal website online at any time. You can also simply type New Mexico Jewish Journal in the search bar to find the website. We are only online, not print. Forward this to a friend so you can kibbitz with them together, and who can then sign up to receive the newsletter twice monthly. 

Our Stories:

Jonah, The “Whale,” and What Causes, Prolongs, and May Ease Depression

By Judith Fein “Oh Jonah he lived in a whale. He made his home in that fish’s abdomen,” sings Spo’tin’ Life in the song “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from George Gershwin’s opera “Porgy & Bess.” In familiar adaptations of the Pinocchio story, the wooden puppet and Geppetto

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Jewish Values: Talmud Torah

By Rabbi Min Kantrowitz - Jewish Values #9: Talmud Torah Each edition of NMJJ highlights one of the many Jewish values that guide our lives. Each of these values underlies our Jewish community, regardless of any individuals’ religious observances or practices. These values form the ethical structure of the community. They

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What Congress Could Learn From Ancient Rome

By Merilee Dannemann General election season is now in full swing, and without doubt the hottest contest in New Mexico this year is the race for Congressional District 2 between Democratic incumbent Gabe Vasquez and businessman Greg Cunningham. While only voters in that district can vote for that member of

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How Talmudic Law Shaped One of History’s First Copyright Rulings

A 1550 ruling by Rabbi Moses Isserles, cited as one of the first acknowledged copyright rulings, drew on a 3rd-century Talmudic precedent.

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Temple Beth Shalom sees bright future as congregation marks 70th anniversary

Temple Beth Shalom, Santa Fe’s first Jewish temple, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

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Recent stories:

The Jewish Side of Flamenco and How to See It

Story & Photos by Paul Ross In Mel Brooks’ remake of legendary director Ernst Lubitsch’s classic WWII dark comedy “To Be Or Not To Be,” a struggling Polish theatrical company learns that their Nazi occupier’s latest ban prohibits “Jews, Gypsies, and Homosexuals” from the theater. Upon hearing this, the

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Remembering Together: Scenes from the Annual Gathering at Santa Fe’s Jewish Cemetery

Photos by Gay Block and Diane Joy Schmidt This year’s 2026 community gathering to remember was held on Sunday, August 30th, at 1:30 PM in the Jewish section of Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 417 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe. “In the Jewish tradition, securing a place for burial is the

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Harvey Buchalter’s Two Callings: Scholar of Yiddish, Sculptor in Wood and Stone

Story and Photos by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter 💡Buchalter will be showing his sculptures at “Jewish Life in NM through the Arts” in Santa Fe at the NM Jewish Historical Society Fall Conference, Oct. 25th. Many people with stellar professional careers also have a creative side that provides deep satisfaction.

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Grave Visits, Stones, and Stories: Ways to Honor Our Loved Ones This High Holy Day Season

By Rabbi Deborah J. Brin Many of us visit the graves of family members, friends or teachers during the High Holy Day season. We do this to remember and honor those who came before us, to contemplate our own mortality and prepare for the season of change and t’shuvah/

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Do You Want To Know Where You Really Come From?

By Judith Fein with Alex Denisenko When I grew up, I was mesmerized by my “foreign” grandmother. She had gray hair, sometimes wore nylon stockings that she rolled up at the top, had an accent, read a newspaper in Yiddish, and, like many other immigrants, never wanted to talk about

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An Easy Year for New Mexico Voters: While Half the Ballot Is Uncontested, the Choices that Will Still Matter

By Merilee Dannemann New Mexico voters in many districts will find that voting this November is a little simpler than they expected. Legislators are making one decision easy for about half of New Mexico voters. In our House of Representatives, there are currently 42 Democrats and 26 Republicans. Slightly more

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KEEP SCROLLING to Community Events and High Holy Day flyers from around New Mexico. Click on the flyers and links for more information. Find your people - your stories, voices and perspectives. Sign up to receive the newsletter twice monthly. Nationally Awarded.

HaMakom - Passionate Judaism in Santa Fe All HaMakom services are at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 197 W. Barcelona

LAS VEGAS JEWISH COMMUNITY Yom Kippur Services at Temple Montefiore, Las Vegas, New Mexico - All are Welcome, No Charge.

TEMPLE BETH-EL in LAS CRUCES High Holy Days Services

Temple Aaron High Holiday Services, Trinidad, Colorado. No charge.

Congregation B'nai Israel High Holy Days Services

Temple Beth Shalom High Holy Days Services

Congregation Albert High Holy Days Services

Where To Pray in New Mexico, a comprehensive list from Marc Yellin:

Temple Beth Shalom Sukkot Shabbat Service September 25

Congregation B'nai Israel: 2nd Day Sukkot Luncheon

Temple Beth Shalom October 4 Simchat Torah Sunday 10 am -12 pm All Ages!

Author Jeanne Siminoff, a memoir on navigating dementia across her family

REGISTER: Academy of Jewish Learning, Congregation B'nai Israel

Our Religious School, the Academy of Jewish Learning at Congregation B'nai Israel, is now open and accepting registration and enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. Please reach out to our Religious School director Judith Segall for more information or with any questions. CALL 505-266-0155 or email School Director at cbi.abq.school@gmail.com Visit: https://bnaiisrael-nm.org/learn/religious-school

AND, The Academy of Jewish Learning (AJL) at CBl is seeking part-time teachers for the 2026-27 school year for our students in grades pre-K through 6th grade. For more information on the school, the curriculum, and teacher responsibilities, please contact Judith Segall, School Director, at cbi.abq.school@gmail.com 505-266-0155

New FALL Adult Education Classes, Congregation Albert Lehrhaus:

NEW EVENTS in ARTS, EDUCATION and CULTURE AT THE JCC:

We’re excited to welcome Alyssa Atias into her new role as the JCC’s Arts, Culture & Education Director!   Alyssa is no stranger to The J. She has been part of our team for five years, previously serving as Youth & Family Director. Along the way, she has helped organize our art classes, supported events across The J, and built strong connections with our members and community.   Now, Alyssa is bringing that experience to ACE and looking forward to building on the programs you know and love while creating new opportunities to learn, connect, and experience something together.

The Cookbook is Here!:

WATCH NOW ON THE JEWISH LEARNING CHANNEL: https://youtu.be/ZhhoUre1hfI?si=I3pXCQJaGpvh9l1_ along with all the previous Lectures!

SHABBAT WITH FRIENDS brings **SHABBAT DELIGHT**

Check out Minyan Midbar's website: https://rabbidov-site.vercel.app/programs/minyan-midbar/ and see the next gathering

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

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