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Orthodox Jewish communities in southeast New Mexico?
I'm going to be going to Artesia, New Mexico sometime soon for job training. The problem is that I'm an orthodox Jew, and Artesia is in the middle of nowhere (when the nearest "major city" is Roswell, you know you're talking about a remote location). The nearest religious communities I've been able to find (by which I mean, Chabad outposts) are in like, Albuquerque, and El Paso, Texas. Both of these are like, four-hour drives from Artesia.
Are there any orthodox shuls (or Jewish communities at all), that are less than four hours from Artesia? Shabbos is going to be pretty rough, not having any other Jews within a 250 mile radius.
Any helpful suggestions out there? ("Stop keeping Shabbos" does not qualify as a helpful suggestion.) Thanks.
(PS: I realize there are probably better categories in which to place this question - but the browser on this computer is all screwy and won't let me choose differently - I'll probably re-ask later in a Judaism-related section.)
Steve: It's CBP now, but yeah, you nailed it. I think I've read about this congregation before. Not exactly what I'm looking for (not that I hate on non-orthodox Jews, just that Jewish law prohibits me from praying in a congregation with mixed seating, for example - plus Reform temples use a different liturgy). Still might look there for some form of support though. Thanks. (Funny you got it from the U of A website - that's my alma mater.)
Mark: Not a bad idea. I fear what the news will be, but I've gotta ask, right?
Gershon: Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself. I kept the mitzvos for a year in Turkey, but even Istanbul has a solid Jewish community, if a primarily non-observant one (and there IS a Chabad). In any event, I don't think we're supposed to make these tests for ourselves. G-d gives us all the difficulties we'll need, and the response from a lot of rabbonim to my situation (and past situatiosn I've found myself in) is "why would you go THERE?" - of course, it's for a career this time, but then the question becomes "what kind of nice Jewish boy goes into law enforcement? I mean law, sure, but law ENFORCEMENT? Feh!"
4 Answers
- Steve in NCLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Would this qualify? http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/bloom/carlsbad.htm
I know nothing about the Jewish religion (or very little) but I do know that Carlsbad is a very short drive from Artesia. It's only about 30 minutes on Hwy 285. I used to live in Carlsbad and have been through Artesia many times. There is nothing in Artesia except the Navajo Refinery and the US Immigration Training Center, so you must be going to work for INS.
Good luck!
Source(s): Travel connoisseur - Gershon bLv 51 decade ago
Superjew,
I live in an area where Judaism isn't real strong. There is much more merit in keeping the mitzvot when you don't have the support of a strong community. Yes, it might be hard lighting the candles on by yourself on Shabbat, but there will be more merit in doing so.
It will also be more difficult to keep kosher. You will likely have to become vegetarian for the time.
Joseph and Daniel had the same problems in difficult situations. Joseph kept his purity for 22 years in Mitzraim. Surely New Mexico can't be that bad. (But we could argue that.)
Maybe take some extra reading with you. You have an opportunity to be a Jew where nobody else cares. Maybe consider it a test from Hashem of the type given to Joseph and Daniel. It is a test you are strong enough to pass or it wouldn't be given.
- Mark S, JPAALv 71 decade ago
Well, I looked too and it looks like Albuquerque and Santa Fe are about it. Having said that, these lists are never exhaustive--I suggest calling Chabad in Albuqueque to see if they know of other places closer to you.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I think you are out of luck according to this site:
