JFNM to Start New Leadership Development Program
by Sarah Koplik

On March 19, the board of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico approved a proposal to start an innovative leadership development program called Kupat Kasum (a Hebrew term which means Enchantment Fund).

The goal of this program is to enliven Jewish life in New Mexico by creating a cadre of young activists who will provide meaningful outreach to rural Jewish communities. Participants will be asked to make a two-year commitment, and be willing to travel and fundraise on behalf of small communities.

By activating young leaders, the federation seeks to improve Jewish life in our state. Indeed, the preservation of Jewish communal life is the core mission of federations across the United States and throughout the globe.

New Mexico has a series of smaller communities who have been overlooked historically. As an organization, which was called the Jewish Federation of Greater Albuquerque until two years ago, it is understandable that few resources were spent on the rest of the state. Along with its name change, the federation hopes to amend this pattern.

It is estimated that the Jewish population of New Mexico is 11,250. This is approximately as many Jews as currently live in Iran, Romania, or Spain. While New Mexico is as geographically large as Poland, that nation only has 3,500 Jews. In fact, there are only 23 countries on earth, which have a larger Jewish population than New Mexico does.

Just as the Joint Distribution Committee assists small communities abroad, the federation will create a program, which serves rural Jews in New Mexico.

Beginning in June 2009, 18 New Mexican Jewish individuals between the ages of 25 and 45 will be asked to serve. The group will be charged with annually raising a minimum of $18,000 as a group to distribute as micro-grants to rural communities. The federation will commit further funds and staff time.

Participants will be required to attend trainings that combine learning about the needs of smaller communities with Judaic education, and they will be asked to provide service to rural communities.

Currently, six communities with significant Jewish populations and no regular rabbinic support have been identified: Carlsbad, Farmington, Las Vegas, Roswell, Ruidoso and Silver City. Where there are young leaders in these communities, these individuals will be encouraged to join the program, and act as guides for their peers.

The federation seeks to strengthen Jewish identity and participation in New Mexico and develop a new generation of Jewish leadership. We are looking for new leaders to emerge across the state, thereby creating greater resiliency for both rural and urban communities.

All participants will learn more about Jewish culture and religion, and the principles of social action will underpin this project. If you would like to learn more about this project, call Sara Koplik at 505-348-4465