We are thrilled to report that our readers came through! On New Year's Eve, we officially reached and surpassed our $6,000 goal, unlocking $12,000 in matching funds. Thanks to the generosity of 76 community members, we raised a grand total of $18,384. These critical funds
By Rabbi Min Kantrowitz - Jewish Values #8: Tikkun Olam 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.
Compiled by Diane Joy Schmidt, Publisher and Editor MOST READ ARTICLES IN 2025 *asterisk indicates published in 2024. To read an article, click on the title if active or copy the title to Search magnifying glass icon, upper left on top of page. Search also by author name for all
We still have $2,200 to go, to raise $6,000 by December 31st and unlock our $12,000 match for a total $18,000. NOW IS THE TIME to SUBSCRIBE, CONTRIBUTE , and DONATE. A $36 ($3/month) subscription becomes $108! Are you already a subscriber but unpaid or want
Story and photos by Jim Winnerman Is there a Jewish presence in the remote country of Iceland? For most people, the answer will invariably be that they have no idea, and then are surprised to learn that the island nation is in fact home to a small but thriving Jewish
By Diane Joy Schmidt In December, she flew again from Albuquerque to Chicago. It was the first night of Chanukah. Joy and her sisters lit the candles every night at the hospital bedside and sang the songs, tuneless and off-key, something they hadn’t done together since they were children.
NMJJ's editor is happy to once again share our family's potato latkes and blintzes recipes at Chanukah. We encourage more food writers to submit!! Contact Diane at editor@nmjewishjournal.com. To reiterate, here is my family's latke recipe, which was first published on the
CHANUKAH CHILDREN'S ART 2025 Next holiday we hope to include even more! Thank you to Jessica Corley for volunteering to engage our synagogues in sharing all this wonderful artwork: from Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, and in Albuquerque from Nahalat Shalom, Congregation B'nai Israel and
by Norma Libman Congregation Albert is preparing for the Installation of Rabbi Micah Citrin at a special Shabbat service on December 19th at 6:00 p.m. The Zamir choir will participate, and there will be a celebratory Oneg. This is a happy homecoming for Rabbi Micah as he lived
By Max Berger The BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization) traces its roots back to the 1920's and provides Jewish activities for young people in grades eight through high school. Eighth grader Max Berger has recorded his first impressions of his introduction to this organization,
Judith writes to us: At the Academy of Jewish Learning (AJL) at Congregation B'nai Israel, we retold the story of Chanukah to our Sunday School Gan Class (ages 4-6) and to our Torah (grades 3rd-7th) and asked them to create images of the Chanukah story. For our older
View in Browser on Email for best viewing experience. Chanukah is coming up on December 14th already! We are very happy to share some lovely artwork by 4 year olds made this week in preparation for Chanukah, thanks to Dale Sides Cooperman, Director of Early Childhood Education at Congregation Albert
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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 northern
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, a
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 Albert
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 of serious
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’Nichum last
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 might have
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 that
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