Welcome to Nahalat Shalom
Our Mission
Nahalat Shalom is a welcoming, inclusive congregation that inspires understanding of the joys, practices, and ethics of Judaism and nurtures spiritual growth.
Congregation Nahalat Shalom is a spiritual and cultural center for Jewish Renewal in the Southwest. We affirm and support the discovery and exploration of our diverse identities and heritages.
We are a vibrant community, open and welcoming to individuals, couples, and families of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Nahalat Shalom values, nurtures, and needs the creative, spiritual, and intellectual contributions of each member. We cultivate and live our Judaism through worship, learning, dialogue, joyful celebrations, community involvement, arts, music, and dance.
We are committed to living, sharing and passing on a vital and heartfelt Judaism to those who come after us. Children are always welcome in our sanctuary and at our celebrations and events, and they actually enjoy themselves in our once a week Cheder (Hebrew school).
Nahalat Shalom is at 3606 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 (Between Candelaria and Griegos). Read the story of our "jewel of a shul" in this article.
What is Jewish Renewal?
Nahalat Shalom is a proud member of Aleph: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Jewish renewal is a worldwide, transdenominational movement grounded in Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions. This article by Aleph Rabbi Marcia Prager describes its approach and vision in more detail. In short:
Jewish Renewal carries forward Judaism’s perpetual process of renewal.
Jewish Renewal seeks to bring creativity, relevance, joy, and an all embracing awareness to spiritual practice, as a path to healing our hearts and finding balance and wholeness—tikkun halev.
Jewish Renewal acts to fully include all Jews and to respect all peoples.
Jewish Renewal helps to heal the world by promoting justice, freedom, responsibility, caring for all life and the earth that sustains all life—tikkun olam.
Want to know more about Jewish Renewal? The article link below is by Shaul Magid, and was originally published in Tikkun. It traces the origins of Jewish Renewal and considers its theological roots in ancient and modern thinking. (Reposted with permission):
Things People Love About Nahalat Shalom
Members created this list to describe those facets of Judaism’s joys, practices, ethics, and spirituality they see Nahalat Shalom providing every day to create a special experience for everyone who enters our doors.
Perfecting the heart (Tikkun Halev) - Bringing creativity, relevance, joy, and awareness to Jewish spiritual practice. Being a place where members can meet their spiritual needs.
Healing the world (Tikkun Olam) - Members promote justice, freedom, responsibility, caring for all life and the earth that sustains all life.
Micah’s summary of Judaism, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your G-d.”
Hillel’s summary of Judaism, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary--go and study!”
Inclusion of Jews, and their partners, of all kinds.
Striving to provide a sense of community. Being welcoming, small, and empowering.
Activism. One member can make a difference in the community.
Having a unique way of being in, and looking at, the world.
Being a place to find Jewish life in the 21st century.
Being a place where children can learn and understand their Jewish heritage.
Respecting all peoples.