So, maybe I’m a latent Hadassah lady who likes to raise money for good causes? Here’s one that caught my attention earlier this week, thanks to Aji www.dailykos.com/…
I feel compelled to help with this one, for a variety of reasons. Partly because of my own Jewish heritage, and a peripheral connection to the town of Las Vegas, NM, where my Dutch immigrant great-grandmother from a nearby town was institutionalized at the mental hospital there in the early 1900’s. Also, I currently live in a city where the long-time Jewish community has pulled up stakes, and I see and feel the void their absence created. Their original temple was bulldozed, and the one that replaced it several blocks away is now a church. So many tangible and intangible contributions to where Jews live and have lived. Our city is the poorer for the loss of this community. Other than the cemetery, who would know they were here? The same can be said for Las Vegas, NM.
The Jewish community in Las Vegas, NM, which dates back to the 1880’s is small, but growing once again. They have established not-for-profit status, and are actively working to raise funds to take advantage of a rare opportunity to re-buy their historic synagogue, which had to be sold when the congregation dwindled during the 1950’s and could no longer sustain funding operations. The building has been used as a Newman Center by the Catholic Church for students at the nearby New Mexico Highlands University (a public institution) since the 1960’s. Previous offers to buy the historic synagogue have been rejected. Up till now. Now, a rare opportunity has presented itself. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has the building up for sale in order to raise money to compensate survivors of sexual abuse by their clergy. A large chunk of the money ($200,000.00) for the purchase of the building has to come from crowdfunding, as the tiny Jewish congregation doesn’t have the resources, and there are time constraints. As of today, they have just crossed the $100,000.00 mark. There is concern that if unsuccessful, New Mexico Highlands University may purchase the building and raze it in order to create a parking lot. Erasing Jewish history anywhere is a tragedy. Historically, we see it happen over and over again. It must not be allowed to repeat itself here.
www.gofundme.com/…
The Jewish Telegrahic Agency has picked up the story: www.jta.org/…
as has The Forward: forward.com/…
Help if you can. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and it’s tax deductible. Boosting the signal by sharing the gofundme link, articles, or tweeting if you do that kind of thing is also greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, Sep 27, 2022 · 9:11:05 PM +00:00
·
mamarox
SUCCESS! There have been enough online donations through the GoFundMe page and checks mailed in that sufficient funds were acquired to allow the Jewish Community of Las Vegas, New Mexico to purchase their former synagogue building from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The GoFundMe page is no longer taking donations as of 9/25/22. The rededication of Temple Montefiore will be scheduled during Hanukkah, 2022.
Anyone interested in making a charitible donation out of the goodness of their hearts to help with renovations, etc. can send a tax deductible check payable to the Jewish Community of Las Vegas.
Mailing address is:
LVJC, inc. P O Box 1231
Las Vegas, NM
87701