INSIDE Volume 50, Number 1 • Spring 2020/Aviv 5780 Food Relief for the B’nei Menashe Community in India Link Staff Report Responding to Racism Last spring, representatives and Violence from the B’nei Menashe visit- ed our state to raise awareness pages 6-7 about this Jewish community’s deep roots in far northeastern India, and its journey to ali- ya in Israel. During the visit, a new Israeli non-profit organi- zation was formed. Degel Me- nashe (the flag of Menashe) is dedicated to helping the B’nei Menashe people fully integrate LIfe and Legacy into Israeli society, with all of the challenges that this entails. pages 8-10 Little did the founders realize that less than a year later, this organization would be crucial in providing urgent food relief for Rice distributed with physical distancing measures at Beit Shalom Synagogue, B. Vengnuom, Chura- the B’nei Menashe community chandpur, Manipur. remaining in India. Upon being alerted to near-starvation condi- tions, Degel Menashe jumped into action, and organized an elaborate system of food relief. On April 14, Sabra Minkus, president of the board of the Jewish Federation of New Helping Our Neighbors Mexico received word that 800 people, or a quarter of the B’nei page 24 Menashe Jewish community in the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram was on the brink of starvation. They left their villag- es several years ago in hopes of immigrating to Israel, but have been unable to do so. In the dis- tricts of Churachandpur, Imphal and Kangpokpi, they survived as minimum-wage day laborers. When India shut down for April and May due to Coro- navirus, the laborers had no source of income. Immediately, Minkus started a fundraising effort. With contributions from the Jewish Federation of New Mexico, Jewish Long Beach, Outside of a synagogue in an area near the Myanmar border. Entry to this region is restricted by the Scattered Among the Nations, Indian Army. In April and May, no COVID cases had been reported there. Congregants are holding prayer books funded by the Jewish Federation of New Mexico. This community had not encountered any other FOOD continued on page 14 Jews in 15 years. Still inpiring students. No matter what. sandiaprep.org 2 The New Mexico Jewish Link Summer 2020/Kaitz 5780 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER Vitality, Viability and Vision Bringing Passover By Rob Lennick, We have also in synagogues and communal to Isolated Seniors Executive Director provided sup- organizations is crucial. We have As the coronavirus virus Program (JCP) for logistical port to Navajo certainly demonstrated our vi- began to spread through the support. “After a few phone Shalom Dear nation for food tality as a community. Now, we U.S in March, most states calls and emails with Erin Friends, and hygiene need to ensure its viability. This issued stay-at-home orders. Tarica, the wonderful director First and fore- supplies and is more important than ever. Jews all over the world, of the Jewish Care Program, most, all of us at the B’nai Menashe You matter. Belonging matters. including those here in New we’d devised a plan,” Rimson Jewish Federation of communities in Membership matters. Especially Mexico, began to grapple with described what happened next. New Mexico hope India that were now. the reality that Passover would “It was clear to me that the that you and your on the verge of And, we are also exploring be celebrated very different- foundation could and should family and friends starvation. Our our vision for our future. We ly this year. Thrown into an help financially. Since we had are well, safe and community out- have recently begun a discussion uncertain situation, many Jews canceled our annual commu- healthy and have reach committee about racism and exclusion as had to get creative to ensure nity-wide LIFE & LEGACY managed to avoid contracting is developing alliances with it pertains to our own commu- that social distancing did not celebrations scheduled for the Covid-19. Across our Jewish community partners that will en- nity as well as in relation to turn into social isolation. For end of March in Albuquerque community we continue to able us to expand our support for communities of color. These some, there would be virtu- and early May in Santa Fe, we encourage social distancing, needs in our greater community. are complex issues. Our goal is al gatherings on FaceTime, could redirect some resources wearing masks in public when The JCC, congregations, orga- to acknowledge those areas in Google Meet, and Zoom; for to help underwrite the Seder around others, and consistent nizations and other Jewish gath- Jewish life where we may be others, smaller Seders with dinners.” washing of hands and antiseptic ering places and offices across excluding or alienating people just their immediate family Following the lead of the cleansing of surfaces. Thankful- our region will reopen in stages. and then address these issues. in shared quarantine. But for Jewish Community Founda- ly, our community continues to Please contact those groups And our further hope is that by some elderly members, finding tion, the Jewish Federation of be ahead of the curve in terms directly for information about first looking at how we as a Jew- community during this special New Mexico and the Jewish of mitigation of the impact of their respective plans and pro- ish community need to be more time proved particularly Care Program also decided to Covid-19. cess. We will continue to share inclusive, as a result, we will challenging. Those living in contribute funds. This allowed We should feel extremely guidance and direction from the be more empathetic and better facilities would not be allowed the community to expand the proud and inspired by the in- governor, public health officials listeners when we reach out to a visit by family members “Seders in a Box” beyond credible determination, creativ- and Jewish Federations of North communities of color that are or be able to eat with fellow the initial idea, to ensure that ity and productivity that have America regarding continuing experiencing their own, unique Jews. Similarly, those aging there were enough meals for been channeled into the multi- mitigation and safe reopening and horrific, grave and existen- in their homes would not have the older adults in need in tude of ways our community has protocols. In the meantime, we tial challenges – as captured in the ability to join others at both Santa Fe and Albuquer- pivoted to virtual gatherings and still encourage our commu- the public and senseless murder Seders and the idea of online que. After all, the plan aligned programs. The range of worship, nity to stay home as much as of George Floyd and others. participation was not feasible. beautifully with the Jewish educational, social, entertain- possible, especially if you have We are living in a very chal- Determined to lessen this Care Program’s dedication to ment, support group and so complicating risk factors. lenging time, which can feel isolation in a time of spiri- the well-being of the most vul- many other types of activities We convene a weekly meet- overwhelming. But, if we pause tual slavery, members of our nerable community members, being offered across the entirety ing with Jewish clergy and lay and reflect, it is possible to see Jewish community put their moving them from isolation to of our diverse community in dig- leaders representing our entire endless miraculous beams of heads together and collabo- connection. ital form is no less than extraor- community. This has become an creativity, activism, opportunity rated to ensure that everyone Within hours, JCP had iden- dinary. We have truly demon- essential part of our communi- and dignity all around us. Juda- had a meaningful Seder. On tified over 40 recipients, strated the compelling vitality of ty’s response to Covid-19 as we ism counsels hopeful realism. March 24, Erika Rimson, the including Holocaust survivors. our Jewish community. share information, challenges Let us be realistic and rational as executive director of the Jew- Jen Dennis, senior services We have also come together and opportunities, and work we deal with Covid-19, utilizing ish Community Foundation of manager, who took the lead to ensure that those impacted by together to collectively respond science and common sense. But, New Mexico, was contacted on recruiting volunteers and Covid-19 within our community to a range of issues created by let us also be hopeful, that the by Deborah Avren, the pres- coordinating the deliveries are being helped. Through the Covid-19 and plan for reopening proven and repeated resilience ident of HaMakom in Santa for the project, said “It was ongoing work of the Jewish Care and revitalizing in the coming of our community through- Fe. The congregation faced a blessing to be able to bring Program we are continuing to months. out history will again see us the dilemma of canceling a meaning, connection, and joy take care of the most vulnerable One of the issues we are through. community Seder, and, Avren to our clients for the holiday among us, the frail elderly, the discussing is belonging in the May we continue to work was especially concerned of Passover. This was truly homebound, the isolated and age of Covid-19 and afterwards. together to ensure the vitality about the many older adults special for all involved.” our Holocaust survivors. If you While we currently gather virtu- and viability of our communi- who counted on the communi- The positive response was know someone in need, let us ally, across all spatial boundar- ty as we also create together a ty Seder for their celebration.