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Office Hours
Tues: 9:00am - 11:00am
Thurs: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Fri: 9:00am - 11:00am
No office hours on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday. We will make every effort to be in the office at the posted times but please call first, 343.8227 to ensure that we will be in the office or make appointment. |
Your Weekly News & Updates
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VOICE OF THE VA'AD
Hi everyone:
We want to update you on the health of the congregation and to continue to involve you in the sustainability and growth of our community.
A wise member of our community recently said, "Nahalat Shalom is the synagogue where you can blow your own shofar." That metaphor and value for leadership and participation has been true since the congregation was founded over 30 years ago and it will be a core value of ours as we approach this year.
Since the Rabbi announced her decision to terminate her contract by mutual agreement and the subsequent emergency community meeting in early April, the Va'ad grew from four to nine. We have a strong understanding of our financials. The Vision committee, a talented minyan of long term and new members, has gathered to craft the questions needed to set a vision for the congregation - more on this part later.
First, let's give you some basic answers many have been waiting for. What's the status with our finances and will we have a Rabbi?
In a nutshell, the congregation has approximately 110 dues paying households. The building is a huge asset, as it is paid for and earns us some revenue in rent from our small house and occasional rental of the facility. Between dues, revenue from rentals and donations, the congregation has a little less than $110,000 to spend on the upkeep of the building and paying for the administrator, Cantorial Soloist Beth Cohen, and the Rabbi. It's not a lot. It was painful for us to acknowledge that the current state of membership and financial health does not provide enough for a full time rabbi or to cover all the areas of service that we would really like.
Given those financial constraints, a contract was signed with Rabbi Brin on June 9, 2016 for her to conduct High Holy Day services, from S'lichot through Simchat Torah. In addition, there are five girls preparing for their B'not Mitzvah and Rabbi Brin will work with each of them in preparation and on their special day during 2016-2017. Rabbi Brin will also hold classes between now and December 31st and will charge a fee for those classes. As the Rabbi's employment is limited and part time, she is free to devote her energies to other employment and business pursuits. That does not preclude Nahalat Shalom and Rabbi Brin from having a discussion in the coming months about what a rabbi position would look like in the newly-clear situation. Even in the limited budget of about $110,000, there is some money to pay for rabbinic functions. We need to determine what rabbinic functions we need and can afford and we will include the entire community to identify the priorities.
Why is this year different from all other years? In all other years (since the days of Rabbi Lynn), the congregation ran out of money and would beg and plead until the bills could be paid. The Va'ad decided it was not only time but it was necessary to end this unhealthy pattern of expecting our clergy to work beyond what we could pay and end the unhealthy financial management of creating expenses beyond what we can afford. After much thought and reviewing our finances and ability of our congregation, the leadership of the congregation has made the decision not to go on another fundraising campaign to pay the Rabbi's salary and cover basic costs but instead to trim our costs down to what is covered by our revenue. And we know that we must create an income-development strategy to replace the annual panic funding tactic.
In the meantime, Nahalat Shalom is moving forward. The Program Committee has created a full schedule of fall classes; more information and a schedule will be available soon. This year's High Holiday services will be led by Rabbi Brin. Cheder is fully staffed with its professional team of educators and it is financially solvent.
Looking ahead:
We want to hear from you. The Vision Committee and leadership of the congregation are arranging 1:1 meetings with each Nahalat Shalom household during July and August. We aim for transparency with the information we have learned and seek your input as we prepare for a vision that includes our congregational needs for a rabbi, a building and a clearer vision for how we build, thrive and serve our Jewish Renewal community.
We will gather the feedback from these sessions in developing a vision and plans for our building, rabbinical needs, and best ways to fulfill the needs of our members. After compiling the feedback, we will present the budget and future plans at our next Community Meeting, Sunday August 28, 10 AM. Please save the date to hear about what the Vision Committee has learned from its meetings with each of our households. That feedback will give us guidance about the next steps we take - together.
B'shalom (In Peace),
Nancy Koenigsberg, President on behalf of the Va'ad |
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.
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Friday, June 17
- 11:45 am -1 pm. Beyond the Torah. Front Entry Room. We are delving into the entire Bible, book by book. Join us as we discern the literal, ethical and spiritual meaning of the great writings of our ancestors. We are a self-led group and rely on assorted commentary as well as our own sensibilities. No ongoing commitment is required. Join us every week or as the spirit moves you.
- 7:30-9 pm. CANCELLED: Mystical Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Potluck.
Saturday, June 18, 10 am. This is WHoly Ground, HalleluYah! Sanctuary. Please join Sofie Shefia Stephanie Cohen this Saturday (and every other month) in celebrating Shabbat morning with joy and gratefulness! as we experience 'bringing heaven to earth', through the Divine Presence within each of us! (Kadosh, kadosh kadosh....the earth is full of Your Glory!). We will be chanting, doing healing body movements and using energizing G!d language. Sunday, June 19, 2:30-4:30 pm. Planetary Judaism: Bringing Down the Torah of the Future, led by Rabbi Miles Krassen. Bayt B'racha. This ongoing series of talks, updating the teachings of Hasidism and Kabbalah, explores ways in which Torah can support an emerging vision of planetary consciousness. The Torah of the Future is the Torah of the Whole Earth that reveals the inherent holiness and essential interconnectedness of all people and of the Earth itself and all that she contains. "The Whole Earth is full of Your Glory." (Isaiah 6:3). Classes are taught by Rabbi Miles Krassen, former Professor of Contemplative Judaism at Naropa University and author of significant works on Kabbalah and Hasidism. Your generous donations will pay for these classes. Checks may be made out directly to Rabbi Miles Krassen.
Thursday, June 23, 7:00 pm. Everything You Need To Know About the Spanish Citizenship Program for Sephardic Crypto-Jews, by Luis Portero de la Torre, Special Counsel for the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain. Sanctuary. Sr. Portero is one of three people most responsible for getting the recent law granting Spanish citizenship to descendants of Sephardim who were expelled in 1492 passed in the Spanish Parliament. The law has been in effect for nine months and there are some updates that will be of interest to potential applicants. He will also be available the following morning for free of charge consultations. Sr. Portero will also be present and available during Festival Djudeo-Espanyol on Saturday, June 25 at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe. The full schedule of exciting events at Festival Djudeo-Espanyol is available at www.nahalatshalom.org. Friday, June 24- 11:45 am -1 pm. Beyond the Torah. Front Entry Room. We are delving into the entire Bible, book by book. Join us as we discern the literal, ethical and spiritual meaning of the great writings of our ancestors. We are a self-led group and rely on assorted commentary as well as our own sensibilities. No ongoing commitment is required. Join us every week or as the spirit moves you.
- 7:30 pm. A Chanting Kabbalat Shabbat Service. Bayt B'racha. A contemplative way to greet Shabbat through sacred Hebrew chanting and meditation. Celebrate the end of your week, nourish your soul and welcome Shabbat. Join us as we move into holy space/time in a meditative mode: chanting sacred phrases and melodies and then melting into silence. No prior knowledge or special talent is necessary, only the willingness and intention to go inside yourself, to listen deeply and to be in community with others who are engaged in this practice. Co-led by Miryam Levy, Judy Brown and SofieShefia Stephanie Cohen.
Saturday, June 25. No service this week.Monday, June 27, 5:30-7:30 pm. Va'ad Meeting. Bayt B'racha.
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Library Committee
Library Committee is forming and needs members who will sort through many books that have been donated. The books we keep need to be catalogued and shelved. Returned books also need to be shelved. Anyone interested in helping in our library please contact Ellen Light at 243-7333.
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Mispocha Have you heard about the Mishpocha Committee? Mishpocha means extended family and serves to bring together Nahalat Shalom members to offer help in times of need, such as illness or joy (new baby). Mishpocha comes into play for the temporary needs of members when their own family/friends are unavailable or exhausted. We have provided such activities as rides, meals, visits, running errands, and dog walking. Mishpocha is in need of new volunteer members. Co-coordinators Joan and Michelle receive requests and help identify needs. There are no meetings! Volunteers are notified by e-mail of a request. No one is ever required to perform a service. Consequently needs may not always be met. To volunteer or to request assistance for yourself or another member, please call Joan Robins at (505) 341-2306 or e-mail Joan at 1robins@swcp.com or Michelle Vogler at michellevogler1@gmail.com.
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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!
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Community Events/Announcements
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June 16, Thursday, 7 pm. Unconventional Traditionalists: "The Correspondence Between Reb Zalman and Thomas Merton", Professor Victoria Erhart, Presenter.
HaMakom at the UUC, 107 West Barcelona Road (at Galisteo), Santa Fe, 505-992-1905. What do a yeshiva educated Hasid turned renegade rabbi and an unbeliever turned cloistered Trappist monk have in common? As it turns out, quite a bit. Come learn, as Professor Victoria Erhart lectures on the exchange of letters between the two men, spanning 1961-1968 and ending only with the untimely death of Thomas Merton in a hotel room in Bangkok. The two men used each other as sounding boards to explore emerging ideas in prayer, meditation, and engagement in the pressing world problems of their day. Both men shared a deep interest in mysticism, and both shared insights they had gathered from their studies in other religious traditions. While this productive ecumenical relationship seems the norm today, in the early 1960s it was nothing short of extraordinary and bears investigation to see what their letters can teach us today. Suggested minimum donation: $10. If you are willing to carpool, please contact Varda Brahms, vardab36@gmail.com or 505-553-6693. HaMakom services and events are fragrance free in support of chemically sensitive members. Please refrain from using any scented body products.
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June 18, Saturday. Forging Weapons of Destruction into Tools of Construction
Saturday, June 18 (10a-12p tool making, 12p-3p food, etc., 3pm ceremonial presentation of garden tools.) Forging Weapons of Destruction into Tools of Construction. La Plazita Farm Program. 831 Isleta Blvd, SW, Albuquerque. All are welcome. Flyer
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June 22, Wednesday, 5 pm. Annual Meeting
At Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd NE, ABQ. RSVPs required to Kristne Gurule, kristen@jewishnewmexico.org or call 505.821.3214 by June 17th. Israeli/Middle Eastern dinner will be served. Flyer
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June 24-25. Festival Djudeo-Espanyol. Drury Plaza Hotel, Santa Fe
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June 26-28. Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies 2016 Conference. Drury Plaza Hotel, Santa Fe
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 |
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Last Chance/Last Chants
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 |
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July 11-17, 2016, The Biennial ALEPH Kallah in Ft. Collins, CO
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. |
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July 31 - August 7, 2016, Camp Oranim
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. |
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August 4-7, 2016, Join us for our 33rd annual NM August Global Dance Camp at NM Tech in Socorro, NM
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. |
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September 5-11, 2016. Lessons from the River
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 |
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Nov. 12 & 13, 2016, The NM Jewish Historical Society Fall Conference on "Jewish Identities: Lost, Rediscovered, and Reclaimed"
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.
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From Ron Goldsmith:
Here's information about upcoming topics in this series at CNM's main campus:
Sat., July 9, Healthy Weeknight Meals and Nutrition & Fitness (11 am to 3 pm)
Sat., Aug. 13, Lower Sodium Heart Healthy Soups and Nutrition & Fitness (11 am to 3 pm)
It involves 2 hours of hands-on cooking in the culinary arts kitchen (options are given for making gluten-free meals or adjusting for various food allergies). This is followed by a 2 hour discussion of Nutrition & Fitness topics by a CNM nutrition professor. Attendance at both sessions is required. To register, send an e-mail to: Vanessa Lagrange, vlagrange1@cnm.edu
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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.
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Emergency Assistance Available
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.
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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.
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Alliance for Jewish Renewal
As a Renewal Congregation we are a member of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Click to read blog. |
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Please Renew!!
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.) |
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E-News
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.
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Web Calendar
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. |
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Sermons
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. |
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How Shopping Can Helps Us
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.
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Chemical-Free Space
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".
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Congregation Nahalat Shalom is a spiritual and cultural center for Jewish Renewal in the Southwest. We affirm and support the discovery and exploration of our diverse identities and heritages.
We are a vibrant community, open and welcoming to individuals, couples, and families of all sizes, shapes and colors. Nahalat Shalom values, nurtures, and needs the creative, spiritual, and intellectual contributions of each member. We cultivate and live our Judaism through worship, learning, dialogue, joyful celebrations, community involvement, arts, music, and dance.
Children are always welcome in our sanctuary and at our celebrations and events, and they genuinely enjoy themselves in our once a week Cheder (Hebrew school). We are committed to living, sharing and passing on a vital and heartfelt Judaism to those who come after us.
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