The JEWISH FEDERATION of EL PASO and LAS CRUCES is a Community Supporter!
VISIT US! Jewish Federation of El Paso and Las Cruces
Read The Jewish Voice The Jewish Voice, published six times a year, is dedicated to informing, educating, and uniting the Jewish community by providing news items of local, national, Israeli, and international concern.
OUR MISSION
Serving the Jewish Community by engaging, connecting, supporting and celebrating Jewish life, values and culture in the greater El Paso and Las Cruces area, Israel and beyond.
JEWISH HISTORY IN
EL PASO & LAS CRUCES:
Our Beginnings
The history of Jews in El Paso is a colorful one, rich in traditions, culture, and contributions. Jews came here from all parts of the world and other parts of the United States in search of business opportunities and religious tolerance, or they simply chose not to continue on their journeys farther west or north in their quest for a new life.
To understand the history of Jews in Texas, one also has to know the history of Jews in Mexico. The Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834) caused the influx of thousands of Jews into Mexico from Spain with many of these Jews traveling to Mexico with the conquistadores. In 1545, Jews in Mexico City numbered approximately 1,400. The Holy Office of the Inquisition began targeting Jews in the 1580s. Punishment for practicing the Jewish faith included imprisonment, forced penance and even burning at the stake. In the 1700s, many of these conversos (Jews who professed to be Catholic converts but practiced Judaism in secret), crossed the border into Texas looking for a life of religious freedom and settled in many of the border regions, including El Paso. Entry for Jews from other parts of America and other parts of the world started in Galveston, Texas. The land agents representing the Republic of Texas advertised in the United States and overseas about the promise of fabulous opportunities in Texas. In 1848, steamship companies based in Germany were selling passage to the port of Galveston, Texas. Continue reading Our History here.
Contact
915.842.9554
info@jfedeplc.org
Office:
4150 Rio Bravo
STE 222
El Paso, TX 79902
Website:
https://www.jfedeplc.org
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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
Where the North Ends, A Novel by Hugo Moreno
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