this was my first experience with Roadscholar programs, and I can assure you it won't be my last. From the very beginning of the process to the last day of the wonderful program, I was pleased and excited to have this opportunity - this adventure.

this was our first road scholar trip; it surpassed all expectations!!!!!!

Very good.

It's hard to imagine any other way to learn so much that's new and fascinating in just 5 days.

I wish I had brought a good camera with me and taken lots of pictures of all the interesting and beautiful places we saw together on our recent trip. Do any of my fellow participants have any to share? It would be much appreciated. I can reciprocate with some of the writing I am doing about our adventures. Willa

This website is adequate.

The lectures by Norma Libman were outstanding. This was an amazing educational adventure.

Road Scholar is a great new name and describes the courses perfectly. I had a wonderful learning experience and the other "scholars" were all well educated and extremely interested in the topic. All had much to add to any discussion

Whether you are Jewish or Gentile, religious or not, you will find this story of a people robbed of their religion compelling. Their ways of preserving their culture over hundreds of years and their new efforts to return to their roots is inspiring. This course separates fact from myth and gives you much to think about.

SUPERB! Lectures on history of Inquisition, Black Plague, movement of Jews from Europe to No & So America. Spanish & Jewish cultures explained. Great field trips in Santa Fe and Albuquerqe. Totally well worth your time, a memorable program.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our first Rhode Scholar Program and learned a great deal. We are looking forward to signing up for another program in the near future.

This was our first Road Scholar program and it was wonderful. We learned so much and we are telling all our friends that they just have to attend a future session.

This class was amazing. Karen Long, our group leader, is well organized. Our principle lecturer, Norma Libman, is very knowledgeable, and an excellent presenter. Every class was an adventure in learning, and the field trips provided solid background to our experience. I highly recommend this course to anyone, Jewish or not. You won't be disappointed.

This was one of the most exciting and informative weeks I have ever experienced in my 85 years - I expect to continue this study on my own - with the suggested reading material -

I loved every moment of the course - from the coordinator, to the instructor, to the programs and field trips. My only criticism is that the hotel could have been a little nicer (cleaner).

Last year, October 2010, I attended the RS Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM. At that time I heard about the Conversos-Crypto Jews programs. I had never heard these terms and filed the information for future reference. This year I attended the Conversos Crypto program (and followed it with the Jewish Connection in NM; see that program review). There were 30 participants, of which at least 6 were Christian. This was the most fascinating program I have attended! The story of the Conversos Crypto Jews is still evolving. The presenters, Norma Libman and Sonya Loya, herself a Crypto Jew, were excellent. Their knowledge and experiences were shared with enthusiasm and in depth information.

Field trips and excursions were excellent and pertinent to the program material and to the general information of the area.

Karen Long, our group leader, kept us together with a gentle hand, always ahead of us, telling us everything we needed to know. Karen is a gem!

I would recommend this program to anyone, Jewish or not, interested in learning something new, and something that is, in a sense, history in the making.

Consider following this program with The Jewish Connection. These programs do stand well alone but The Jewish Connection may have more meaning when it follows the Conversos Crypto Jews program.

This program was excellent. The Converso odyssey is a fascinating one for Jews and Gentiles, alike. Do 007 and you won't regret it. New Mexico is great.

Didn’t know so much information, learning and visiting can be jammed into only 5 days! The schedule was intense, from 7 am to 9 pm. The main impression of New Mexico: how polite and helpful everybody is! We stayed in MCM Elegante for 5 nights. The hotel was OK, long dark corridor, and the room was far away from the elevator, but the lobby and restaurant looked nice.

Most of our meals during the program were in MCM hotel. We were ready for budget meals, so no disappointment here. Some meals better then others, most above average cafeteria meals – and we felt Road Scholar really tried to feed us well within the limits of the program’s price.

Stopped at Santuario de Chimayo on the way to Santa Fe. We were told, there is dirt with healing powers inside the church, and even given zipper plastic bags to collect some. I guess, one must not to be a skeptic to believe this fairy tale, but it was a nice area for walking, taking photos and relaxation.

With questions e-mail faina22@hotmail.com

We were two of the four non-Jews in this 26 participant group. Enjoyed it. A well conceived and conducted program. From your questions, I could see that your guidlines were being followed. Stick with the plan. Get people willing to tell the truth to the best of their ability. These are good ones.

One of the three best courses that I have ever taken (May 2011). The Program leader, Karen Long, did an excellent job and the lecturers, Norma Libman and Glorya Tschabold were amazingly informative and completely responsive to the students discussions and questions. I unhesitatingly recommend this program.