NMJJ Wins Two New Mexico Press Association Awards in First Year Entering
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.
Whether each entry earned first or second place will be revealed at the NMPA Awards Gala on Saturday, October 17, at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque.
"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.
Read the winning stories:
"My Relationship Wasn't Great, But His Father Changed My Life"
https://www.nmjewishjournal.com/my-relationship-wasnt-great-but-his-father-changed-my-life/
"A Dazzling Fashion Show for the Most Famous Jewish Mother in the World"
https://www.nmjewishjournal.com/a-dazzling-fashion-show-for-the-most-famous-jewish-mother-in-the-world/
Read more by Judith Fein.
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
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