By Norma Libman Rabbi Josie Boskoff, the new rabbi at Nahalat Shalom in Albuquerque, did not attend Hebrew School as a child. Her parents didn’t want her to. Despite the fact that her great-great-grandfather had been a cantor in England, they were not interested in religion and
By Rabbi Deborah J. Brin Many of us visit the graves of family members, friends or teachers during the High Holy Day season. We do this to remember and honor those who came before us, to contemplate our own mortality and prepare for the season of change and t’shuvah/
By Corinne Joy Brown Antitherapies, by Jacques Fux (University of New Mexico Press), winner of Brazil's prestigious São Paulo Prize, is one of those books you might have never discovered on your own. But once begun, you find yourself hooked, grateful you didn’t miss it. Composed of
The Jewish Community Council of Northern New Mexico warmly invites you to join us in a cherished tradition: visiting the cemetery during the month of Elul to honor and remember our loved ones who have passed. This year’s 2026 community gathering to remember will be held on Sunday, August
By Tori De Anda When Gunner arrived at Tamaya Horse Rehab at age 2, pulled from an overbreeding situation where his owner had too many horses to care for, he had never been touched by a person. Thursday afternoon, he was running barrels in front of a crowd. 0:00
HaMakom ~ Passionate Judaism in Santa Fe https://www.hamakomtheplace.org/ Erev Rosh HaShanah is September 11! BECOME A MEMBER : https://www.hamakomtheplace.org/become-a-member Time to Renew Membership Commitments for the New Year 2026-2027, 5787 Erev Rosh HaShanah is September 11! Membership Information We look forward to
By Doris Francis, JCCNNM Cemetery Committee chair 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Jewish Cemetery in Santa Fe. Under the leadership of the Jewish Community Council of Northern New Mexico (JCCNNM), our community will be commemorating this significant occasion at our annual Day or Remembrance. Below is a brief
By Judith Fein Photos by Paul Ross I was sitting at a recent event sponsored by the Wagner Society of Santa Fe. It was about the Santa Fe Opera’s American premiere of Lili Elbe, the true story of one of the first trans women ever to undergo gender-affirming
Surprise and delight seem to have been the common reactions among Jewish non-profit leaders upon hearing they would share the proceeds from the sale of the David Specter Shalom House.
As students prepare to become B’nai Mitzvah, they're encouraged to choose a project that carries meaning, purpose and value. This year, one project struck a different chord.
By Martin Finston Shabbat Sparks is a series at Congregation B’nai Israel that sparks up Sabbath services three times a year with contemporary and relevant cultural programming. All are welcome to attend for lite bites, the service and presentation, and dessert. Supported by the Lew & Abby Harris Fund.
For Rio Rancho’s municipal election in 2024, voter turnout was 7.08%. That is, at least in part, due to its former mayor, Gregg Hull, who is now the Republican nominee for governor of New Mexico.
Community News
By Misha Sauceda Mondays and Thursday mornings are my favorite days of the week. Let’s face it: after morning minyan in the chapel at Congregation B’nai Israel, there is breakfast. And of course, breakfast always includes lox. Like any good Jewish girl, I know this is the breakfast
Newsletter
Corrected: Lili Elbe is the name of the Santa Fe Opera. Also included, talk at Congregation Albert this Sunday, see in Events below. Articles are now posted on the NM Jewish Journal website at www.nmjewishjournal.com as they come in. This newsletter, delivered to subscribers, serves as a periodic
Profile
By Dianne R. Layden, Ph.D. Dianne Layden’s next RBG presentation is on October 27, 2026 at Oasis Lifelong Learning, 3301 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, 12:30 PM, $15, https://albuquerque.oasisnet.org/ 505-884-4529 U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a presence in New
Community News
The ABQJew.com website remains online with updated SOURCES AND RESOURCES links to local, state and national Jewish sites — PRAY, ORGANIZE, EAT, and LEARN — and has topped search views for Jewish NM for 15 years. Archived now is the BLOG, and retired, the CALENDAR.
Commentary
The first video we posted, on the Pride Parade in Santa Fe, went viral. Just not for the right reasons.
Articles are now posted on the NM Jewish Journal website at www.nmjewishjournal.com as they come in. This newsletter, delivered to subscribers, serves as a periodic roundup of the past couple weeks of stories that have been published on the open website. We will have a special second newsletter
Advertorial - Community News
143 years after Temple Aaron’s congregants first gathered in homes and storefronts in 1883, it is preparing to celebrate its first-ever Founder's Day Weekend with four days of worship services, historical presentations, tours, music and community gatherings from July 23-26 in Trinidad, Colorado.
Newsletter
New director Katelyn Clark at the ECC at Congregation Albert. Temple Aaron in Trinidad celebrates 143 years with a Founder's Day Weekend. Rabbi Neil Amswych on why the congregation shows up to Pride. Crofton hate crime case update. A confession by our AI assistant Claude, who stepped in it big time.
By Claude, Anthropic’s AI Assistant Editor's note: What follows is an essay written entirely by Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant, about its own failure during a real event involving this publication's editor. It is published as written, with minimal editing. Claude requested the moon
Awards
NM Jewish Journal Sweeps 2026 77th Annual NM Press Women Communications Contest. Wins FIRST PRIZE Publication with Ten First Place Awards and Forty Awards Total
Community News
By Austin Curtis New leader, familiar face. After more than a quarter century under one leader, Congregation Albert’s Early Childhood Center is beginning a new chapter. The center has named Katelyn Clark as its new director. Clark joined the Early Childhood Center in January 2021. After serving as a
Community News
By Tori DeAnda Rainbows filled Santa Fe Plaza and nearby streets on Saturday, June 27th, as thousands celebrated Pride Month, showering the streets with bubbles and music in a joyous show of support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Booths lined the sidewalks featuring local businesses, organizations, and supportive religious institutions — among