Newsletter June 1999, Page 6

The First Bar Mitzvah in New Mexico
From the Daily New Mexican,
January 3, 1876

mongst the most prominent of yesterdayís festivities and by far the most important for the Jewish community was the confirmation of Alfred Grunsfeld, the eldest son of Mr. Albert Grunsfeld of this town. The occasion brought together the greater part of the Jewish population of Santa Fe to witness for the first time in New Mexico a Jewish boy take upon himself the obligations imposed by the law of Moses. It was on this occasion when the minds of all were bent on the solemnity of the event and naturally referred to the period in their lives when they assumed the same obligations.
ìIt was at this time and under such circumstances that the idea was started to build a Jewish school and synagogue in Santa Fe; the matter was taken up with enthusiasm and a subscription list was at once opened and liberally contributed to by all present. Lehman Spiegelberg was appointed treasurer pro tem, and will receive subscriptions at the office of the Second National Bank.
ìThus a boy has the honor of having started a movement which cannot but have a beneficial influence on all the territory and which in particular will have awakened many to their responsibilities as parents and as Jews.î

Nameless in
New Mexico

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Please send your suggestions to our societyís secretary, Lee Leven at New Mexico Jewish Historical Society P.O. Box 23056, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502

Mission Statement

The New Mexico Jewish Historical Society seeks to promote greater understanding and knowledge of the Jewish experience, and the ongoing role it plays in the general community. The Societyís public programs examine the stateís Jewish heritage in all its diversity, and strive to present this heritage within a broad cultural context. In order to fulfill this mission, the Society sponsors lectures, films, field trips, conferences, preservation of historic cemeteries and genealogy workshops. In addition, it maintains a permanent archive documenting the stateís Jewish History. The Society is a secular organization, and solicits the membership and participation of all interested people, regardless of religious affiliation.

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