NMJJ Wins Two New Mexico Press Association Awards in Its First Year in the Contest
In NM Jewish Journal’s first year in the New Mexico Press Association contest, we won two awards: Judith Fein’s column and arts review each placed second in Division 1, behind only the Santa Fe New Mexican.
By Diane Joy Schmidt
The New Mexico Jewish Journal has won two awards in the 2026 NMPA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest, the statewide competition of the New Mexico Press Association, which has served New Mexico newspapers since 1900. This was the first year NMJJ joined NMPA and entered the contest. As a digital-only associate member, NMJJ competed in the Daily Class I division, alongside the state's largest daily newspapers.
Both awards went to Judith Fein, NMJJ's Senior Travel Writer, who writes news, arts and culture features, commentary, and arts reviews for the Journal.
In the Columns category, Judith won for My Relationship Wasn't Great, But His Father Changed My Life, a personal essay about an interfaith relationship with current and universal relevance.
In the Arts & Entertainment Review category, she won for A Dazzling Fashion Show for the Most Famous Jewish Mother in the World, her review of a rare Santa Fe exhibition of gowns made for the Cathedral's historic statue of Mary, where she found the Hebrew name of God, יהוה, embroidered in gold on one of Mary's robes. Photos by Paul Ross illuminate both stories.
"What is most meaningful to me is that both of these stories reach across boundaries," said Diane Joy Schmidt, NMJJ's founding publisher and editor. "Judith's writing awakens the fundamental connections that make us human, with humor and love."
NMJJ entered 15 pieces published between July 2025 and June 2026. We are grateful to our writers, our readers, and everyone who has supported this independent publication since its launch in March 2024.
Our thanks to Senators Carrie Hamblen, District 38, and Peter Wirth, District 25, who received the Free Press Champion Award for their sponsorship of the Local Journalist Tax Credit, "supporting the news organizations that employ journalists and serve New Mexico communities. The credit was enacted through the 2026 tax package, passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor," as the program noted.
Judith Fein was born with a pen in her mouth, a computer in her hands, and curiosity in her brain. She is an award-winning travel journalist who, with her photojournalist husband Paul Ross, has contributed to 130 publications. She has written four books, done a TEDx talk on Deep Travel, and given many keynote talks. She recently finished the libretto for the opera Mariette in Ecstasy, and writes frequently about all forms of performance. She is the Senior Travel Editor of NMJJ. Find more stories by Judith Fein here.
READ about the more than 70 national, regional and state awards NMJJ has won in its first two years, from the American Jewish Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and New Mexico Press Women/National Federation Press Women:
"NM Jewish Journal Wins Two Rockower Awards for 2026, including a First Place"
"New Mexico Jewish Journal Wins 9 Awards — Four 1st Place — at the Society of Professional Journalists Top of the Rockies Contest in Denver — and the 2026 Season Is Just Getting Started"
Diane Joy Schmidt is the founding publisher and editor of the New Mexico Jewish Journal.
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
Chavurat Hamidbar Fellowship of the Desert
Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival
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