Speaking out for the community
Meeting with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in mid-January at the beginning of the 2024 Legislative Session, to talk about security issues affecting the Jewish community are coalition members of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New Mexico.
The JCRC-NM was formed by Co-Chairs Jane Wishner and Alonet Zarum in October of last year in the wake of the Hamas invasion of Israel and includes more than twenty Jewish community organizations and synagogues represented in New Mexico. Their website includes a sign-up form to receive their newsletter.
They have been active in responding to antisemitism in the wake of protestors closing or attempting to close down events by Jewish performer Matisyahu and by the Israeli consul general from Houston visiting Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and have worked through governmental channels at improving support by local and state officials with regard to security response.
Run For Their Lives is a weekly run held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. in support of the hostages held in Gaza. The location is now at the JCC, meeting at the entrance to the field.
Pictured with Governor Grisham are, left to right: Rabbi Berel Levertov, Santa Fe Jewish Center; John Wertheim, President, Hillel Board; Rabbi Jack Shlachter, HaMakom & Los Alamos Jewish Center; Elisheva Herrera, Beit Tikva; Rabbi Celia Surget, Congregation Albert; Shelly Prant, Director, Jewish Community Center; Halley Faust, Santa Fe Middle East Watch; New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham; Jane Wishner, Co-Dir. Jewish Community Relations Coalition of NM; Dan Schlegel, Chief of Staff of the Governor's Office; Erika Rimson, Director, Jewish Community Foundation; Sara Koplik, Director, Hillel UNM; Sonya Priestly; Zach Benjamin, former Executive Director, Jewish Federation New Mexico.
Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico
Congregation Albert
Temple Beth Shalom
Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque
The Institute for Tolerance Studies
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