Fundraising:  Make a tax-deductible donation to Nahalat Shalom.  Do you have a friend/relative who "has everything"?  Please consider a gift to Nahalat Shalom in his/her honor.  Those wishing to donate by credit card may visit www.nahalatshalom.org and use the Donate button.  Mailed donations should be sent to 3606 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107.  Questions? Call the office at 343-8227 or send an email to office@nahalatshalom.org.

Front of House Committee

The Front of Committee needs volunteers for various events throughout the year. We need people to help:

• Setup and bring out food,
• Cleanup/break down tables and chairs, sweep crumbs, bring trash to bins,
• Greet and escort guests, and
• Help guide cars for parking.

If you are interested please contact:  Ellen Light, 505-243-7333 or ellenlight@aol.com.

Want to Help:  If you would like to help with special projects, please email the office (office@nahalatshalom.org) with your name, phone number, and your area of interest. From time to time, we need help with building/property maintenance (like planting, weeding, shoveling, and painting), parking, greeting, BB kitchen cleaning, and other stuff that is fun to do as a group and helps build and nurture our community.  Thank you!

We are pleased to announce the first showing of work-in-progress for this wonderful new documentary film. Please join us for this special screening that includes interviews and images from each of the five strands of Jewish settlement in New Mexico, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers. Isaac Artenstein, Director; Paula Amar Schwartz, Producer.

The Jewish practice of Devekut inspires us to open to the vastness of the Infinite, while releasing the content of thought, moment to moment. During this week of chant and silence we will connect to the Divine through the Earth, Water, Fire and Air in the glorious setting of the Jemez Mountains. Easily accessible from both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. All participants will enjoy private accommodations. Location: thefitzgeraldcenter.org, Jemez Springs, New Mexico. Price: $972 for a private suite. Questions? For a week of Hebrew chant and deep silence, contact ALEPH for details and to register online: https://aleph.org/programs/ecstatic-meditation

Joseph will tell about his experience in Mexico and North of the border (US detention centers) related to the exhibit in our gallery, called "The Horrific Journey: Central American Refugees in Mexico".  Joseph will have color photos for sale from his work in Mexico. The exhibit will be up until July 1, maybe longer.

Rabbis for Human Rights is the only rabbinic voice in Israel explicitly dedicated to human rights. RHR derives its authority from the Jewish tradition and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. RHR informs the public about human rights violations, and pressures Israeli State institutions to redress these injustices. In contrast to the frequently heard, isolationist understanding of Jewish tradition, Rabbis for Human Rights proclaims the traditional Jewish responsibility for the safety and welfare of the stranger, the different and the weak, the convert, the widow and the orphan.  Admission is free, but please bring your checkbook to support this vital work.

Please download this flyer and this schedule for more information about our Sephardic festival. Contact: Maria Apodaca, 505-235-8252 or  apodacam2003@yahoo.com.

The Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies (SCJS) was founded in 1991 and fosters the research of the historical and contemporary development of Crypto-Jews of Iberian origin. It provides a venue for the descendants of Crypto-Jews, scholars, and other interested parties to network and discuss pertinent issues.  Download Flyer

This summer I'll begin my FINAL Kol Zimra training. It will be my ninth cohort, and nine is a number of completion. When I first began exploring the practice of Chant back in the 1980's, I felt so blessed to have found a doorway to the treasures of my inheritance. As my practice deepened, I was falling in love with God and my chants allowed me to express that love and explore its intricacies.

As I began to teach and share my practices with others, there were some who responded with passionate gratefulness for the revelation that they could walk a Jewish path that was heart-centered and boldly embodied. There were many others who thought I was crazy, misguided or simply ludicrous. I can't tell you how many Purim shpeils used me as the subject for their good-natured ridicule. And I persisted.

As kindred souls took to chanting, many of them started chant groups in their communities, came to my workshops, and appreciated my counsel. It was for them that I started my leadership training program Kol Zimra. I wanted to support their leadership in a systematic way, and help ensure that the practice would not become stagnant or superficial, but instead would always be a vehicle for ever-deepening love and wisdom. Together we became a community of spiritual adventure, innovation, creativity and support. We evolved a curriculum that encompassed shamanic, rabbinic, artistic, contemplative, ecstatic and healing work that has been transformative for many souls who have then spread this magic to their communities.

Though this will be the last time I am offering Kol Zimra, I am certainly not retiring. I want to open to what will come next. My institute, CDEEP, continues to offer workshops and retreats under the auspices of ALEPH. I continue to write, lead pilgrimages and Shabbatonim, develop practices that meet the challenges of the moment and offer spiritual coaching to my students.I wanted to announce that this will be your last chance to experience Kol Zimra, because there are many people who have expressed interest in coming, but then decided to wait for a future training. This is your last chance/chants.I am sad about this ending, but also excited about possibilities for the future. If you're interested in joining the LAST cohort, (which begins July 25th in Santa Fe, New Mexico) please go to my website: www.RabbiShefaGold.com or write to me.

With love and trust in the unfolding miracle,
Shefa Gold

Kallah 2016 Pre-Registration is now officially open. Kallah offers 50 week long classes, new and exciting workshops, outdoor experiences, prayer, song, shabbat celebration, and so much more! For more details, see https://aleph.org/kallah.

Our featured teachers will be: Loui Tucker teaching line and couple dances from Israel, Hardeep Sahota teaching Bhangra from the Punjab, and Nicolle Jensen (of the Santa Fe Balkan band, Rumelia) teaching Balkan and Middle Eastern drumming. Dorm housing, four hours of dance classes plus one hour of percussion per day, extra-curricular specialty dance sessions, theme parties and our own home-grown costume bazaar. Plus a full program for kids ages 4-12. All are welcome - novice and experienced alike. See our web site at swifdi.org for detailed information and registration, or contact co-directors Becky Gordon 967-8208 / beckygordon1@gmail.com, or Terry Jordan-Culler 440-6767 / tjculller@mssn.com.

Camp Oranim is for children entering grades 2 through 10 with leadership opportunities available for 11th & 12th graders. This summer, camp is moving to a new location at Kamp Kiwanis, a beautiful campsite just south of Gallup.  Please download this summer's brochure for more information.  Tour coach transportation to Kamp Kiwanis will be provided to and from Congregation Albert or parents can drop off their children at the campsite. More info: 505-883-0306, Congregation Albert.

Lessons from the River: A Rafting Trip down the San Juan River in wondrous SE Utah with Rabbi Shefa Gold and Rabbi Eli Herb. $1295, for more info and to register: elisha.herb@gmail.com

Will be held in conjunction with the exhibit "Fractured Faiths: Spanish Judaism, the Inquisition, and New World Identities" at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe on Nov. 12 & 13, 2016.

Member Announcements Guidelines: Nahalat Shalom aims to provide a 'big tent' for members, who hold a wide range of political views and are involved in many activities.   As a courtesy to all members, we offer an opportunity to post brief announcements.  Inclusion in the newsletter is not an endorsement by Nahalat Shalom.  Any member is welcome to submit items to office@nahalatshalom.org.  In the interest of available space, items will run once, and they may be edited.

The Jewish Care Program at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque provides limited financial aid to Jewish individuals and families in crisis. If in need, please call (505) 348-4451. The Jewish Care Program receives a large number of calls and is not always able to respond to all requests for emergency assistance. Here's what they offer:

• General Financial Assistance: The Miriam's Well Fund provides one-time, short-term emergency financial assistance to Jewish Women in crisis.
• Utility Assistance: The Jewish Women's Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico (JCFNM) provides one-time utility assistance to Jewish women and children in crisis.
• Rental Assistance: The Ziegler Fund of the JCFNM provides one-time emergency rental assistance to Jewish men and women in crisis.
• Indigent Burial Assistance: the Carole Beckhoff Indigent Burial Fund of the JCFNM provides assistance with burial costs of Jewish individuals.

About Tikkun Olam Club:  Please email any project ideas or questions about current projects to nstikkunolam@gmail.com. We are looking for projects where we can work together.  It has been suggested that we adopt a trail or median near Nahalat Shalom. This would require meeting monthly to pick up trash.  Interested?  If you wish to be on the Tikkun Olam mailing list, please send an email request to nstikkunolam@gmail.com.

As a Renewal Congregation we are a member of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Click to read blog.

Your membership dues, financial contributions, and volunteering keep Nahalat Shalom's doors open and our community thriving. If you have already renewed your membership to Nahalat Shalom and/or signed up to volunteer on a committee, thank you! If you have not, please complete a membership form today (see our website) and make your pledge for the year, 5776. And, let us know if you would like to be part of one of our committees (AKA, fun working groups.)

Here's how to make payments:

• You may setup automatic or one-time payments by using the Donate button (PayPal) on our website or
• by using the bill payer service from your financial institution (creating a bank check to be mailed to NS). Of course, we also accept personal checks! Please indicate in the memo field if your payment is for dues or a donation; if a donation, you can specify "For General Operations" or another category/fund. If donating to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, please write the check to (or indicate in the online/PayPal memo field) "Rabbi's Discretionary Fund".

Please let us know if you have changes to your contact information or any yahrzeit additions. (Yahrzeits and contact info can be emailed to office@nahalatshalom.org.)

The NS E-News is usually a weekly publication.  Changes will be announced.  Look for it in your email box on Thursdays. If you want to include any items, please email office@nahalatshalom.org by 8 am each Tuesday. Special announcement emails (other than the regular e-news) require prior approval of the Va'ad President or Rabbi Brin. If you are not currently receiving the e-news, but would like to do so, you can sign-up on our website.

This is the most accurate calendar, so please use it! Be sure to click on "All Categories" in the colorful section at the bottom.  Did you know that you can print our web calendar? Just go to our website, www.NahalatShalom.org, scroll to the month you want, and then click on the print icon at the top right corner of the page. You may want to adjust your printer setting to print it in landscape mode.

Rabbi Brin's High Holy Days Sermons can be found on our website's Home page (http://www.nahalatshalom.org), lower left corner, under the section called, Rabbi's Reflections.

Did you know that shopping at Albertson's and using a swipe card (available at NS in the copier room) earns dividends for Nahalat Shalom? Also true for Smith's, and we will soon have a Smith's swipe card, too. It's an easy way to help NS, especially if you already shop there.

You can increase our donation potential by spreading the word about AmazonSmile, an alternative for shopping at Amazon.com.

Sign in to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/85-0352779 and your AmazonSmile shopping can support Nahalat Shalom.

Share this link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/85-0352779 and ask your friends to bookmark this link so all their eligible shopping will benefit Nahalat Shalom. Thank you!

Please keep our buildings free of perfumes/fragrances in consideration of our members who are chemically sensitive. This is a serious medical issue for some, and completely preventable. Leaders, please announce at all meetings that "this is a fragrance-free zone".