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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 copies of his many award-winning books. Stay tuned to www.jewishnewmexico.org for ticket information.

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 issues of memory and identity implied in that heritage. She is in New Mexico talking on this subject at the Jewish University lecture series in Santa Fe.

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 arts. www.jewishnewmexico.org

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 U.S. decision and the potential impact it will have on American and Israeli geopolitical relationships. Is it all good news for Jerusalem? How will the decision affect domestic politics in a deeply divided Washington? Are any of the deal’s components salvageable without the U.S. as a signatory? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Chai Desert Radio.

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. www.jewishnewmexico.org

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 this episode of Chai Desert Radio, Dr. Sara Koplik, the federation’s director of community outreach, sits down with attorney Luis Portero de la Torre of Spain to discuss the program and the Jewish Federation of New Mexico’s global impact. To learn more or to apply for Spanish citizenship, please visit our Sephardic Heritage Program website at www.sephardiccertificate.org.

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 how Iran’s behavior under the deal has influenced the activities of other regional actors, its impact on Iran’s ability to fund Hamas and other terrorist organizations, and whether a possible renegotiation of the deal would mitigate Iran’s rise as a threat to its adversaries. www.jewishnewmexico.org/

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 The State of Israel and its causes.

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