In this episode, world-renowned Middle East expert and ex-CIA operative Bob Baer sits down with Federation past president Sabra Minkus to discuss a variety of topics, including the rise of anti-Semitism in the U.S., the climate for Jews abroad, and his recently-concluded History Channel program, Hunting Hitler. Dr. Baer will be the Jewish Federation of New Mexico’s 2019 featured speaker Monday, January 21 at the James A. Little Theater in Santa Fe, where he will deliver a lecture and sign...

Alma Gottlieb: the Jewish Heritage in Cabo Verde Dr. Alma Gottlieb, a cultural anthropologist and former President of the Society for Humanistic Anthropology, talks about her research among people in west Africa and especially the Jewish heritage of the people of Cabo Verde. Portuguese Jews and conversos were among the original settlers of Cabo Verde, but later the Inquisition drove them into hiding. Among their descendants today many are re-discovering those Jewish roots and addressing the...

Passing the Torch: A Conversation with New Federation Board President Dr. Ron Duncan Hart In this episode of Chai Desert Radio, the Jewish Federation of New Mexico’s Immediate Past President, Dr. Marvin Gottlieb, sits down for a conversation with newly-installed Board President, Dr. Ron Duncan Hart. Their discussion addresses a wide variety of topics, including Ron’s vision for Federation, his thoughts on leadership, and his unique background in international academia, publishing, and the...

U.S. Decertification of the Iran Nuclear Deal: Examining the Geopolitical Ramifications for Israel and Beyond   In this episode, we catch up once again with Behnam Ben Taleblu, Research Fellow and Iran expert with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to discuss the United States’ recent decision to pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Federation Executive Director Zach Benjamin chats with Behnam about the process that led to the...

Melissa-Lou Ellis is currently reigning as Miss New Mexico and will be representing our state in this year’s Miss America Pageant. She is the first Jewish woman to hold the title of Miss New Mexico and will be tomorrow’s guest on Chai Desert Radio. Federation President Zachary Benjamin sits down with Melissa to discuss her role as the first Jewish Miss New Mexico and her experience with the process. Melissa also shares some of her career aspirations, experiences and challenges. ...

Recently, the government of Spain instituted a program through which Sephardic Jews and other individuals of Sephardic descent worldwide are eligible to become citizens of Spain, and thus of the European Union. The Jewish Federation of New Mexico is the world’s only organization approved by Spain to certify both Sephardic Jews and non-Jews of Sephardic descent for eligibility. Indeed, over 500 individuals from around the world have applied for Spanish citizenship through our federation. In...

Two years into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—better known as the Iran nuclear deal—American Jews are still divided over its effectiveness and whether it has eased or exacerbated the threat Iran poses to the Sunni gulf states, Israel, and the United States. This episode of Chai Desert Radio features a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Iran Analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, on the status of the deal and its impact on the broader Middle East. We discuss...

This edition features an insightful discussion between Dr. Marvin Gottlieb, John Sandager and Randy Neal about the evolving relationship between Christians and Jews, how both communities envision that relationship continuing to develop into the future, and what role Israel has played in enhancing this interfaith partnership.We also touch on the important and powerful work of Christians United for Isreal (CUFI) to enhance Christian understanding of the Jewish people, and to bolster support of...

On this edition we are joined by filmmakers Paula Amar Schwartz and by Isaac Artenstein - they are the co-creators of the new independent feature documentary film entitled, "Challah Rising in the Desert: The Jews of New Mexico". The film celebrates the history and people of New Mexico's unique Jewish community with a focus on the five waves of settlement of Jews here.   Visit: www.challahrising.com