Exploring the Jewish Experience (EJE) is concluding

Dear Spring 2026 EJE Students,

I hope you had a good summer. I’m writing to inform you of my decision to discontinue the Exploring the Jewish Experience (EJE) course. This was a difficult decision. The main reason is my enrollment in a graduate program in Eastern Classics at St. John’s College in Santa Fe. Although I’m studying part-time, this new commitment to my own learning will require more attention and reduce the time I can devote to rabbinic teaching.

I conferred with Rabbi Jack Shlachter, my teaching partner, who has also decided to conclude his participation in the program. Unfortunately, I have not been able to identify another rabbi in New Mexico who can teach and administer the course.

Since 2020, the EJE course has welcomed more than 150 adult students. Teaching this program—with colleagues and with you, our engaged students—has been a true joy. Locally, EJE has been co-sponsored by HaMakom Santa Fe and the Los Alamos Jewish Community, whose support we deeply appreciate.

We are also deeply grateful to the National Center to Encourage Judaism (NCEJ) for its generous support, which enabled us to share the course widely over several years.

For the past six years, EJE has been affiliated with American Jewish University’s Miller Introduction to Judaism (MITJ) program. Our curriculum drew heavily from this outstanding resource. Now that EJE is concluding, we recommend that current students enroll in AJU’s online MITJ courses. Rabbi John Carrier, MITJ’s Education Director, shared a link to the upcoming October session: The Miller Intro to Judaism Program

He has kindly extended a coupon code for 10% off tuition: MILLER10

MITJ also offers courses in Spanish, which may interest our South American students. I recognize that MITJ tuition is higher than EJE’s; please contact Rabbi Carrier at jcarrier@aju.edu to inquire about scholarship opportunities.

If you have paid full-year tuition for EJE, please contact me to arrange a partial reimbursement.

I will continue to lead Shabbat with Friends NM and participate in our newly formed Minyan Midbar in Santa Fe. My teaching will now focus on Shabbat, with diverse topics offered throughout the year—many available online. Please ensure you’re receiving e-blasts from Shabbat with Friends to stay informed. You may also wish to stay in touch with Rabbi Shlachter, who continues to teach widely (physicsrabbi@gmail.com).

I will continue mentoring conversion students. Those who were part of EJE are encouraged to join the MITJ program to fulfill their year of Jewish learning. Please set up an appointment with me to discuss this transition and continue your preparation.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. As we remain in the season of fall festivals, I extend to you Shanah Tovah U’metukah—a good and sweet new year—and Chag Same’ach, a joyous festival.

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Convener, Shabbat with Friends NM