Congregation B'nai Israel - An Affiliate of the USCJâ
Congregation B’nai Israel is proud to have been featured in the March 2018 issue of Kehilla, the magazine of the Pacific Southwest Community of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). Here’s the article!

Strong Jewish Communities Arenât a âNewâ Thing in New Mexico
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Innovation StationÂ
Beyond the beautiful scenery and photo-worthy mountains, the state of New Mexico has a hidden secret. Nicknamed the âLand of Enchantment,â New Mexico is home to a flourishing Jewish cultureâsomething that may have been unknown to outsiders before it was recently brought to light by the documentary, âChallah Rising in the Desert: The Jews of New Mexico,â which celebrates the long history of Judaism in the desert.
While the documentary may still be newâitâs been shown at film festivals around the country throughout the past yearâJewish communities have long been a stronghold in New Mexico, dating back to the middle of the 19th century. One of the temples featured in the film was Congregation Bânai Israel, which opened 98 years ago. The film brought a sense of gratification for many in this Jewish community, including President Elect Elynn Finston. âThere was a lot of pride seeing our synagogue featured in the film,â Elynn says. âFor us, it illustrated that Jewish life here in the southwest is flourishing and vibrant. Jews from all walks of life can find a home here.â

For one reason or another, those living outside of New Mexico have been surprised to hear about the stateâs rich Jewish culture. âWhen we tell people that we are from New Mexico, they still donât often realize that we are a state and not another country, so itâs understandable that many donât realize thereâs a strong Jewish presence here,â Elynn says. âNew Mexico has the largest converso populationâJews who were forced to convert to Catholicism in order to avoid persecution from the Inquisition, so many families are returning to their Jewish roots, and the Albuquerque Jewish community is welcoming them back to their Jewish heritage. This is a phenomenon that you wonât find anywhere else in the country, and the film emphasizes that.â
Produced and directed by Isaac Artenstein (Director/Producer), Paula Amar Schwartz (Producer) and Mel Schwartz (Executive Director), the film uses the five-strand braid of challah bread to symbolize the five different waves of Jewish community settlement that took place throughout New Mexicoâs historyâthe conversos fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in the late 1500s, German Jewish pioneers of the Santa Fe Trail in the 1800s, scientists and doctors of the 1940s at Los Alamos, the counterculture of the 1960s and those who currently live here today.
To Rabbi Jack Shlachter of HaMakom in Santa Fe, the film showcased the fact that Jews are truly all around us. âThere are Jews in the strangest places and the film sends a message that we Jews are truly everywhere,â says Rabbi Schlachter, who was featured in the film. âIâm glad to have filmmakers take an interest in the âLand of Enchantmentâ and Iâd love to have people come visit and experience Southwestern Judaism with us.â
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Home Cookinâ in the Desert
Besides your traditional challah, New Mexicoâs kehillot (Jewish communities) enjoy a wide range of unique, chile-fused recipes. Green chile knishes, shakshuka mixed with chile and falafels with green or red chile sauce are regularly on the menu at Congregation Bânai Israelâs kosher kitchen.
âWe prepare traditional delicacies with local flavor and weâve all embraced the local cuisine and made it our own,â Elynn says. âThe Jewish community has worked hard to integrate itself into the existing cultures, so our Judaism is flavored with a taste of Spain, Mexico, New Mexico and Native American pueblo cultures.â
Interested in trying these dishes yourself?
For more information on HaMakom, visit here.
For more information on Congregation Bânai Israel, visit here.
To learn more about âChallah Rising in the Desert: The Jews in New Mexico,â visit here.
