Newsletter ~ Nov. 8, 2026 ~ Cheshvan-Kislev 5787
In this issue: The Legacy of Elisa Simon; The Jews of Old Santa Fe; The Last of the Ellis Island Jews; Little Shop, Big Purpose; Crofton case update, Nov. 5.
Latest
The Legacy of Elisa Simon
Elisa Simon helped build nearly every Jewish institution in Albuquerque. Her friends remember how.
The Jews of Old Santa Fe: New Mexico History Museum’s Jewish Roots Walking Tour
In 1662, Santa Fe's governor and his wife were arrested for Judaizing. One charge: drinking hot chocolate on Good Friday. Scott Nadler's walking tour uncovers the city's Jewish roots. Last tour Dec. 1, lecture Dec. 2.
The Last of the Ellis Island Jews
"Jewish food was both Mom's birthright and her existential claim on the world." Rabbi Min Kantrowitz reviews Joel Dinerstein's warts-and-all Brooklyn memoir, and wonders what his mother would make of a green chile bagel.
Little Shop, Big Purpose: Congregation Albert prepares for its annual Chanukah marketplace
"It's harder and harder to find Chanukah merchandise in this city." Congregation Albert's volunteer-run Chanukah marketplace is open through Dec. 11, with heirloom Judaica, menorahs, toys and a new pop-up of Israeli artists' work.
Crofton case updates
Rex Crofton's defense says the federal hate crime charge can't apply because Jews were never enslaved in the US. Prosecutors cite a 1987 Supreme Court ruling. Judge Matthew L. Garcia hears arguments in January. Crofton remains in federal custody. Updated Nov. 5.
A Full-Time Salary With No Full-Time Rules
New Mexico voters chose to start paying legislators for a full-time job without any expectation that a full-time job is what they will do.
The ADL in New Mexico: Valued Locally, Debated Nationally
ADL continues to work at maintaining close ties to New Mexico. Nationwide, ADL has come under fire during the past few years — caught in a broader struggle over defining when anti-Israel views bleed into antisemitism.
Challengers Ask Supreme Court to Strike Texas Ten Commandments Law
Challengers to a Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case, after a bitterly divided federal appeals court upheld the law 9-8. Martin Finston explains what’s at stake.
Newsletter ~ Oct. 25, 2026 ~ 5787
Freedom is on the ballot. Vote by Nov. 3. New stories and community events: The ADL in New Mexico: Valued Locally, Debated Nationally; How to "Interrupt" Antisemitism: ADL Parent Training Comes to New Mexico (Albuquerque parents, register by Oct. 28); What’s on Your Ballot? The League of
How to “Interrupt” Antisemitism: ADL Parent Training Comes to New Mexico
The Anti-Defamation League developed its new parent advocacy training program last year and is bringing it to New Mexico in early November.
Storytellers of New Mexico and The NM Jewish Storytelling Festival bring Mark Binder to Fusion Nov 7th
AWARD WINNING STORYTELLER & AUTHOR MARK BINDER is coming to Albuquerque with his show, “You Can’t Sing” he said…and I believed him! Storytellers of New Mexico and The NM Jewish Storytelling Festival are bringing Mark Binder to FUSION’s Cell Theater for his lying, storytelling, and books tour.
Elections
What’s on Your Ballot? The League of Women Voters Guide Is Here
For 70 years, the League of Women Voters has had the reputation of being older women in tennis shoes. They wear it proudly and yes, they are almost always in tennis shoes.
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HAMAKOM ~ Passionate Judaism in Santa Fe
HaMakom ~ Passionate Judaism in Santa Fe https://www.hamakomtheplace.org/ BECOME A MEMBER : https://www.hamakomtheplace.org/become-a-member FRAGRANCE FREE, PLEASE! Respecting the health and well-being of our members, please refrain from wearing scented body oils and fragrances when attending services. Todah rabah. TIP JARRETURN TO HOME
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Sisterhood at Congregation Albert ! Chanukah Market Begins November 8th. Join the fun by Shopping, Volunteering, Shopping while Volunteering
READ NOW! "Little Shop, Big Purpose: Congregation Albert prepares for its annual Chanukah marketplace" By Austin Curtis Nov. 7, 2026: Little Shop, Big Purpose: Congregation Albert prepares for its annual Chanukah marketplaceBy Austin Curtis For Diana Paul, the Congregation Albert Sisterhood Judaica shop has always been about more
Op-ed
New Mexico Should Pull the Plug on Musk, as He Did on Ukraine
By Sherry Robinson | All She Wrote Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, recently told the State Investment Council that he was strongly opposed to investing New Mexico public funds in “entities associated with Russia and companies controlled by Elon Musk” because of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and
Awards
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.
Op-ed
Remember who is administering the election
By Merilee Dannemann Four years ago, county commissioners in Otero County caused a minor national embarrassment for New Mexico by refusing to certify the primary election. One commissioner claimed he had proof. With no reason given, he didn’t trust the voting machines. Eventually, threatened with legal action including possible
Op-ed
Reform Legislative Ethics Laws to Restore Trust in Government
By Fred Nathan A 2025 poll found that only 19% of New Mexico residents trust state government officials. The good news is that there are commonsense ethics reforms that can help restore New Mexicans’ trust in their government.
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Sisterhood at Congregation Albert ! Nov. 8th 9:30 Grand Opening! Chanukah Market Begins ~ NOV. 14 Tzitzit · Be Knotty! ~ NOV. 18th Joint Sisterhood Luncheon Congregation Albert and B'nai Israel ~
VISIT the Congregation Albert Sisterhood Website and the Congregation Albert Judaica Shop on FaceBook. TICKETS for JOINT LUNCHEON 0:00 /0:05 1× Home | SisterhoodSisterhood TIP JARRETURN TO HOME HERE FOR MORE STORIES Community Supporters of the NM Jewish Journal include: Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico Congregation Albert Jewish
Newsletter
Newsletter ~ Oct. 4, 2026 ~ Simchat Torah ~ 23 Tishrei 5787
New stories and Community Event flyers, including Oct. 4 Simchat Torah celebrations this morning. Three years ago, the attack of October 7 fell on Simchat Torah. This year we celebrate the holiday with both bitter and sweet, dancing with the Torah on Sunday and gathering in remembrance on Wednesday, Oct.
Community News Feature
The Séance Now Near You
Story and Photos by Paul Ross One of THE big questions — right up there after “What is the Meaning of Life?”— is “Is There Life After Death?” Most religions have answers but seances try to put you in touch with the only ones who really know: the dead. And now
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Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival
VISIT the Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival https://www.santafejff.org/ to buy tickets, sign up for the email, and learn about the season's films SUNDAY NOV. 15 3:30 PM at the CCA Santa Fe BUY TICKETS Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival The Long Journey Home "
Culture
Flamenco’s Outsider Roots, and How to Watch It Like an Insider
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,