A Peek at SWF in 2025

As part of the SWF end of year campaign, I wanted to share the programming we are planning for 2025. We hope that you will find this of interest and will join us and support us now and in the coming year.

• SWF Musical Shabbat Gatherings

Each month we will hold two musical Shabbat gatherings, one in the ABQ area and one in the Santa Fe area. Our musical Shabbat gatherings include our signature Shabbat potlucks, Jewish participatory singing. and ample opportunities to connect with friends and new faces. Interested in hosting? Contact Rabbi Dov to learn more!

• The Exploring the Jewish Experience Course EJE. 

Taught by Rabbi Jack Shlachter, Rabbi Dov Gartenberg, and other great teachers, this year-round course is ideal for people reconnecting to Judaism or who are curious about the Jewish experience, culture, and ideas. Online. Meets Weekly, Wednesday evenings 6:45-8:15pm, January 29th through June 4th 2025. (An in-person option will be available.)

• New Course: The Greatest Jewish Texts That Every Thoughtful Person Should Know.

Rabbi Dov looks forward to expanding his teaching to include this more advanced online shi'ur-seminar that explores the most compelling texts of Jewish literature from the Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Kabbalah, and Jewish philosophy. This course is great for EJE graduates and for individuals seeking a rich and thought-provoking experience of Jewish learning. Online, Meets Weekly, Tuesday evenings, 6:45-8:00pm, January 28th through April 8th 2025.

• NEW: Jewish Spirituality Lab: How to Foster Inspired Jewish Prayer. A Collaboration with Ikar, Los Angeles and Shabbat with Friends NM.

 This pilot program combines participation in 45 online minutes of Ikar's dynamic musical Shabbat morning service combined with an in-person exploration of Jewish Sabbath prayer traditions taught by Rabbi Dov and special guests. The Jewish Spirituality Lab will start with a first session on Saturday, January 18th from 9:45am to 11:30am. More details to follow.

• SWF Shabbaton-Shabbat Retreat at Truchas Peaks Retreat Center. April 25th-27th.

Rabbi Dov and beloved Shabbat host, Jason Kintzer, team up to share a beautiful wholistic Shabbat experience that includes cooking, baking, singing, learning, strolling, resting, playing, and ways to make Shabbat joyful, spiritual, elevating, and transformative. The setting is gorgeous and great for families, couples, and singles of all ages.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Shabbat with Friends NM

Hag Urim Same’ach and Shabbat Shalom 

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg 

29 Kislev 5785/December 30, 2024