Jewish News and History
By Sabra Minkus After a 2000-plus year journey from Israel, a group called B'nei Menashe are in the process of returning to a land they believe is their ancestral home – Israel. They are believed to be the descendants of Manasseh, son of Joseph. They were exiled from
immigration issues
By Emily Alvarez Mark M. (name and identifying details withheld for safety) fled his home country in South America in late 2018 after receiving threats that made remaining there impossible. He entered the United States legally on a B-2 visitor visa and, within months, filed an affirmative asylum application,
Jewish European History
by Dianne R. Layden, Ph.D. The short play Etty about the life of Dutch woman Esther “Etty” Hillesum (1914-1943) during the German occupation was performed by Susan Stein in schools and houses of worship in New Mexico in October 2025.* I saw the performance in Albuquerque at Congregation
Op-ed
Michael Baron, Ph.D. with Letter-to-Editor List by State No one can forget the image of Capitol Police Officer Daniel Hodges having his head crushed on January 6, 2021, one of 140 officers injured that day, subsequent to which over 1,500 who stormed the Capitol were convicted
Hanukkah
By Jim Winnerman It is likely you are aware the United States Postal Service periodically issues a commemorative Hanukkah stamp. Perhaps you have noticed them on the envelope of a Hanukkah card you have received or used them on your own cards and letters around the holiday. The tradition of
Chevra Kadisha
By Gail Rubin, CT Between the general tendency to avoid discussing death, and the rule against revealing one’s participation in a specific tahara, many communities don’t know about the Chevra Kadisha and Jewish rituals they perform around end-of-life. It’s been six years since Kavod v’
Op-ed
by Merilee Dannemann “Pre-existing condition.” Remember that term? Fifteen years ago, you heard it all the time on the news. It was the issue that scared the daylights out of millions of Americans who couldn’t get health insurance, or whose insurance was impossibly expensive. A pre-existing condition
Community News
by Denise Suttle This article first appeared in the weekly newsletter of Chavurat Hamidbar, Albuquerque. Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM you’ll find a dedicated group of Chavurah members and community teammates clad in sweats, ball caps, sneakers and aprons—ready to serve fellow New Mexicans. The Roadrunner Food
Larry Lesser
Like many Jews, I’m still reeling from the last two years and the continuing rise of antisemitism. A 2025 ADL/World Union of Jewish Students poll found more than three-quarters of Jewish college students now conceal their religious identity. On the other hand, many of us have found
Distinguished Lecture Series
REGISTER: THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL ~ ELECTIONS 2026REGISTER: THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL ~ ELECTIONS 2026SIGN UP FOR NEW LECTURES CLICK HEREVIEW NOW ON THE JEWISH LEARNING CHANNEL Sign up for Distinguished Lectures at https://www.distinguishedlectures.com/ View on the Jewish Learning Channel https://www.youtube.com/@ToleranceStudies Where scholarship meets inspiration
Nahalat Shalom
TICKETS ¡Reserva las fechas! Save the dates! Festival Sefardí 2026: A Tapestry of New Mexico Identity May 21-24, 2026 Nahalat Shalom 3606 Rio Grande Blvd., Albuquerque, NM Festival Program Programa en Español Tickets Volunteer TICKETS Festival Sefardí is New Mexico’s only annual celebration of the unique history and
Congregation B'nai Israel
PLEASE RSVP by Friday Feb. 13th! ONLINE: https://www.bnaiisrael-nm.org BY PHONE: 505-266-0155 * 5:00 PM Wine & Appetizers * 6:00 PM Dinner * 7:30 PM The Salsa Begins! with Silent Auction, Raffle and Dessert Reception RSVP NOW! SALSA NIGHT Welcome to Congregation B'nai