New Mexico
New Mexico’s Conversos and Crypto-Jews
Program No. 11007RJ
Learn the history and experience the unique culture of conversos and Crypto-Jews — Spain’s Jewish citizens who were forced to leave their country for not converting to Christianity.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 16 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
1,979Apr 27 - May 2, 2025
Starting at
1,979May 4 - May 9, 2025
Starting at
1,979Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Albuquerque, NM
2
Converso and Crypto-Jewish History, Synagogue, Columbus
Albuquerque, NM
3
Crypto-Jews in NM, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Old Town
Albuquerque, NM
4
History lecture, Hispanic Cultural Center, Holocaust Museum
Albuquerque, NM
5
All-Day Field Trip to Santa Fe
Albuquerque, NM
6
Program Concludes
Albuquerque, NM
At a Glance
In 1492, the Alhambra Decree forced Spain’s Jewish citizens to make an unthinkable decision: convert to Christianity or leave the country. Over the next 500 years, the saga of the conversos and Crypto-Jews — who practiced their faith in secrecy — brought them to the New World and finally to New Mexico, where their traditions melded with those of the peoples of the Southwest. In this land of canyons and desert, trace the struggle of New Mexico’s conversos and Crypto-Jews, and consider how their traditions have managed to survive against the odds.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 3 miles over uneven terrain; standing up to one hour, some stairs. Elevation up to 7000 feet. Due to the elevations during this program, physical activity may be more fatiguing than at sea level.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Meet New Mexico conversos for personal insight.
- Visit Santa Fe and Museum Hill.
- Enjoy field trips to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. For a more active version of this program, please see "New Mexico’s Conversos and Crypto-Jews in Santa Fe" (#22854). It includes similar and complementary educational content, but is based in Santa Fe.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Christopher Gibson
Christopher Gibson is an award-winning artist, writer, and arts educator who makes his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work includes the Cuentos del Camino series on lower Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe and mixed-media installations at numerous museums in New Mexico and California. Over the years, he has written several articles on Hispanic arts and culture for the magazines "Tradición Revista" and "Imagen."
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Christopher Gibson
View biography
Christopher Gibson is an award-winning artist, writer, and arts educator who makes his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work includes the Cuentos del Camino series on lower Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe and mixed-media installations at numerous museums in New Mexico and California. Over the years, he has written several articles on Hispanic arts and culture for the magazines "Tradición Revista" and "Imagen."
Maria Apodaca
View biography
Maria Apodaca’s family arrived in what is today's New Mexico in 1598. She is a descendant of the B'nai Anusim, Spanish and Portuguese Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism in the 15th century. Maria is a member of Congregation Albert; a founder and board member of the Sephardic Heritage Institute New Mexico; a board member, Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies; and a board member, Jewish Genealogical Society of New Mexico.
Schelly Talalay Dardashti
View biography
Schelly Talalay Dardashti, a native New Yorker, has lived in Teheran, Tel Aviv, New Mexico. She is the US Genealogy Advisor for MyHeritage, and has traced her Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi families across Iran, Spain, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. An early proponent of DNA for genealogy, she created the award-winning "Tracing the Tribe - Jewish Genealogy on Facebook." She is a Board member of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies; founding member, Sephardic Heritage Institute New Mexico; and President, Jewish Genealogical Society of New Mexico.
Deborah Brin
View biography
Rabbi Deborah Brin is an author, Jewish ambassador, and community builder. She is ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and received her master’s in pastoral counseling from LaSalle University. With a long career in rabbinic, pastoral, and chaplaincy positions, Rabbi Brin led a thriving congregation in Albuquerque for over a decade. She now enjoys interfaith work, teaching about Judaism, and helping Jews find their own gateways back to their heritage while welcoming their non-Jewish partners, friends, and extended family.
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
New Mexico’s Conversos and Crypto-Jews
Program Number: 11007
To the End of the Earth
After encountering New Mexicans who abstained from eating pork and lit candles on Friday night, Hordes realized these practices were passed down from the early crypto-Jewish settlers. He follows the legacy of the crypto-Jews from their origins in medieval Spain and Portugal through their settlement in New Spain and current reemergence of their culture and practices within the Hispano community.
Crypto-Jews: The Long Journey
The crypto-Jewish experience has been shrouded in mystery for a past that might have been and the imagined future that could be. In the American Southwest and in parts of Latin America there is a movement to reclaim Jewish identity, and people are describing remnants of Jewish life in their families even though their ancestors renounced Jewishness long ago. People want to learn about the Sepharad of their ancestors, the Spain of the Jews. Many ask, "What is our place in that heritage." Others simply say, "Somos Judios." We are Jews.
The Sephardic Jews of Spain and Portugal: Survival of an Imperiled Culture in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century
This work traces the history of the Sephardic Jews from their golden age to their post-Columbian diaspora. Several significant Sephardic Jews are profiled in detail, and later chapters explore the increasing restrictions on Jews prior to expulsion, the divergent fates of two diaspora communities (in Brazil and the Ottoman Empire), and the enduring legacy of Sephardic history.
Secrecy and Deceit: The Religion of the Secret Jews
The Jews of Spain
A straightforward, readable history of Jewish life in Spain. The book covers life in Spain up to the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, and continues with chapters on the Sephardic diaspora.
New Mexico's Crypto-Jews: Image and Memory
A photographic tribute to the New Mexican descendants of the Crypto-Jews, a subsect of Europeans who were forced to convert to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition. Though publically they were Catholic, the Crypto-Jews continued to privately practice their Jewish faiths. Black-and-white photos are supplemented with essays.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
5 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Albuquerque, NM
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel meeting room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Converso and Crypto-Jewish History, Synagogue, Columbus
Location:
Albuquerque, NM
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time each way. Walking a few blocks over the course of the day; standing up to 30 minutes hours at the synagogue.
Breakfast:
In the hotel meeting room.
Morning:
After breakfast, our instructor will introduce the fascinating history of conversos and crypto-Jews, dating back to the time of the Spanish Inquisition that began its “investigations” in 1480. In 1492, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain signed what is known as the Alhambra Decree ordering Jewish residents in Spanish domains to convert or leave on pain of death. Many fled and some reached the New World. We’ll then ride to a local synagogue, known for its distinctive architecture, and hear from the rabbi about contemporary Jewish life in New Mexico.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After returning to the hotel, we’ll continue learning about crypto-Jewish history with a lecture on the Columbus question. Given the confusion about his life before the voyages, is it possible he was a converso?
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Crypto-Jews in NM, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Old Town
Location:
Albuquerque, NM
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles over the course of the day, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles, standing up to 1 hour at a time.
Breakfast:
In the hotel meeting room.
Morning:
In the hotel meeting room, we will have a presentation on migration, DNA, and genetics. Then, we'll hear from a presenter who will discuss her Converso/Crypto-Jewish heritage and her voyage of discovery into her own personal history. These fascinating presentations will be followed by a Q & A panel with the presenters. We’ll then board our motorcoach and depart for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC). Operated by the nineteen Pueblos of New Mexico, the IPCC is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Pueblo culture, highlighting the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people. During our self-directed exploration, we will get an overview of New Mexico’s many different Pueblos as we view the Pueblo-curated exhibits on the lower level.
Lunch:
At the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Afternoon:
We’ll board the motorcoach for a short drive, then set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader in the plaza and surrounding area of Albuquerque’s aptly named Old Town, the focal point of community life since 1706. About 10 blocks of historical adobe buildings surround the central plaza, including San Felipe de Neri Church that dates back to 1793. The city’s settlers built their homes, shops, and government offices here; many of these historical structures have been converted into the restaurants, art galleries, and shops that we see today.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
We are joined by a multi-instrumentalist and music educator for a celebratory evening performance of Jewish Musical Traditions.
Day
4
History lecture, Hispanic Cultural Center, Holocaust Museum
Location:
Albuquerque, NM
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Walking up to 3 miles, standing approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
In the hotel meeting room.
Morning:
We’ll begin the day with another expert-led lecture expanding our knowledge of the lives of conversos and crypto-Jews. We’ll then ride to the National Hispanic Cultural Center, where we’ll learn more about the area’s Hispanic history and culture. Dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts and humanities, the National Hispanic Cultural Center celebrates Hispanic traditions through a variety of exhibits including a performance center, art museum, and a library. The permanent collection features Frederico Vigil’s “buon fresco” Mundos de Mestizaje depicting thousands of years of Hispanic and pre-Hispanic history, and ¡Aqui Estamos!, a rotating exhibition of art from the Center’s permanent collection.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will visit the Holocaust and Intolerance Museum of New Mexico where we will have an expert-led exploration of this important site. Founded in 2001 by Holocaust survivor Werner Gellert, the Holocaust and Intolerance Museum’s mission is “to combat hate and intolerance through education.” Although many of the museum’s exhibits focus on the European Holocaust and World War II genocides, there are also exhibits documenting the Armenian, Greek, and Native American genocides. Then we’ll ride along the historic Route 66, now replete with community art and murals dedicated to local justice workers, to Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza, the local gathering place for communal education and civic protests for decades. Here we’ll see the Holocaust Memorial, designed by renowned artist Jake Lovato, which serves as a permanent reminder of the grim realities of the Holocaust and a commemoration of its victims. This plaza has other large works of art to appreciate which celebrate community, as well.
Dinner:
In the hotel meeting room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
All-Day Field Trip to Santa Fe
Location:
Albuquerque, NM
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 135 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time over the course of the day; walking and standing at the museums; extent and duration of independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel meeting room.
Morning:
We’ll board our motorcoach and travel to Santa Fe where we'll stop first at Museum Hill where we’ll explore the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture features pottery, jewelry, sculpture, baskets, and other objects made by Native Americans from the earliest times to modern day, scrupulously documented and beautifully displayed. The Museum of International Folk Art focuses on indigenous populations from around the world through their art – ranging from ceremonial dress and masks to furniture. The museum hosts the largest collection of international folk art in the world, including wings featuring some of the 106,000 pieces donated by collectors Alexander and Susan Girard and Lloyd Cotsen's Neutrogena collection.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We'll then board the motorcoach for a short ride to Santa Fe's Plaza area, the historic heart of the city. We'll visit the impressive Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Palace of the Governors, and other sites as time permits. Then, we'll have some free time for independent exploration. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
Our group will enjoy a final dinner together in our hotel meeting room. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a wrap-up session to review the program and what we’ve experienced together. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Albuquerque, NM
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
In the hotel meeting room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025
- Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 21, 2025
- Apr 27, 2025 - May 02, 2025
- May 04, 2025 - May 09, 2025
- May 18, 2025 - May 23, 2025
- Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
- Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
- Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025
- Mar 22, 2026 - Mar 27, 2026
- Apr 26, 2026 - May 01, 2026
- May 03, 2026 - May 08, 2026
- May 17, 2026 - May 22, 2026
- Sep 06, 2026 - Sep 11, 2026
- Oct 18, 2026 - Oct 23, 2026
- Nov 08, 2026 - Nov 13, 2026
Participant Reviews
Based on 30 Reviews
Sort By:
Great program for all to experience! You learn so much about history and its effect on religion.
— Review left November 10, 2024
I liked the program because it was very collegial and academically oriented. My husband and I learned a lot.
(Please know that this evaluation was completed jointly with my husband.)
— Review left June 5, 2024
I highly recommend Roads Scholar. Pay close attention to the activity level guidelines and you will had an amazing experience.
— Review left June 3, 2024
Excellent program that enhanced my knowledge of the subject.
— Review left May 30, 2024
This is a great program because it presents important material that was not well presented in grades 9-12
— Review left May 16, 2024
The New Mexico's Conversos and Crypto-Jews program was a wonderful learning experience, complete with an exceptional, knowledgeable, energetic guide, Terri Ross. In addition to the main topic of the program and wonderful speakers, we were able to visit terrific exhibits at Santa Fe and Albuquerque museums and cultural centers. The group enjoyed being together, as we shared activities. Great program!
— Review left April 23, 2024
Fascinating and little known topic. Well organized, good speakers. Lots to see in the museums in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Excellent group leader!
— Review left April 21, 2024
A terrific trip - Sheryl made everything come together well. I'd been to NM a number of times, but I saw several new sides to this wonderful state on this adventure. I'll be back!
— Review left March 26, 2024
If you have ever thought about trying a Road Scholar trip, please do sign up for one! My recent trip (my first) was everything I had hoped for -- a safe adventure with good learning opportunities, good conversations, good food, and good memories!
— Review left November 20, 2023
An insightful and stimulating program. Generally well-presented.
— Review left October 30, 2023
Alread answered questionnaire. Road Scholar is WONDERFUL, only one Gazillionderfl
— Review left September 18, 2023
A great and important program. I am extremely glad that I didn't miss it.
— Review left September 17, 2023
Outstanding
— Review left June 15, 2023
A fascinating look at both history and present-day experiences of Jews who had to hide or convert in order to survive. Hearing from a Converso about her experiences was especially meaningful. The whole program has a lot of significance for our world today, not only for Jews but others as well.
— Review left May 31, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to New Mexico to learn about the Converso & Crypto Jews. Never having been to the State, I did not know about the mountains & how beautiful it was there. After reading the material Road Scholar sent and books from the listed reading materials, I felt prepared & somewhat knowledgeable about the topic. I also felt prepared for the altitude & keeping Hydrated. The Hotel accommodations were lovely. The staff couldn't have been nicer or more helpful!!! The food they provided was also plentiful & good. The presenters, & the museums were very informative as was our tour guide Terrance & our bus driver Will. They were very helpful & attentive to our needs.I also enjoyed the movie, which really gave an excellent overview of New Mexico! I also enjoyed learning about & seeing the Native American people & pueblos. I felt the group size was perfect & it gave me an opportunity to talk to people from all over the country. The restaurants were very good choices. I would definitely recommend Road Scholar Tours. I felt well prepared & taken care of by our guide. Pam
— Review left May 29, 2023
Gaining insight into the Way Jews were exposed through prejudice to circle the earth and keep many of the customs which were remembered and exposed to generations that followed
— Review left May 13, 2023
Amazing program with great information.
— Review left April 22, 2023
Great program
— Review left April 22, 2023
I arrived home early this morning, feeling simultaneously exhilarated and exhausted after the Road Scholar Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I can't wait to go on another Road Scholar program to broaden my horizons and enrich my spirit. I just hope that other group leaders will be as good as Scott was or if that's not possible, then at least comparable to him.
— Review left April 22, 2023
Excellent program! Top notch presenters who were experts and knew their stuff. The activities contributed to the learning. Group leader Sherry Moon was fantastic!
— Review left March 24, 2023
Do not be deterred if you are not Jewish, or don’t think you are.
— Review left November 18, 2022
The program was unusual and fascinating; Albuquerque is a great location, and the food was fantastic. Highly recommended.
— Review left October 21, 2022
This was a highly informative, well organized trip. Albuquerque has gems not mentioned in the usual guidebooks; the tiny but extraordinary Holocaust and Intolerance Museum is a case in point. But the high points of every day were the lectures, which were engaging, well organized, and thought provoking. It wasn't just learning "facts"-- it was confronting the ideas of "otherness", and "estrangement", and "assimilation" in a whole new way.
Strongly recommend.
— Review left May 12, 2022
The Albuquerque weather in early April was quite breezy but not terribly cold; expect Santa Fe to be about 10 degrees colder. I had worried that the numerous lectures would be boring for this non-sedentary person, but the variety of speakers and topics were all very interesting, though the lengthy talk and visit to B'nai Israel could be dropped. Including Indian and Hispanic cultural field trips brilliantly linked those topics with Judaism. The topics touched on history, art, culture, anthropology and science. And a bit of shopping! I would recommend this short trip to anyone, Jewish or not.
— Review left April 9, 2022
This was an outstanding program. I was raised Jewish and had no idea that these individuals even existed. For anyone interested in this topic, I highly recommend it.
— Review left June 9, 2019
If you are interested in this topic, you will be amazed on how much new information you will gain.
— Review left May 23, 2019
Go for it....and discover another "another" world out there.
— Review left May 19, 2019
Whether Jewish or not, this program opens a previously unknown aspect of the culture of New Mexico. The
communities of Hispanics, Indians, and Anglos have a dimension of richness within that was discovered only recently. That culture is a result of the Spanish Inquisition and the Jews who came, finally, to the northern reaches of New Mexico to escape persecution. That period of history as well as the up to date development of the escapees is sensitively developed in this program with several excellent speakers and field trips. My synagogue group thoroughly enjoyed the knowledge and sense of community we shared.
— Review left May 3, 2019
Fascinating, exotic and Jewish
— Review left April 14, 2019
This program will open one's eyes to social issues that most of us unfamiliar with, and unaware of their significance for our contemporary age.
— Review left March 16, 2019
