New Mexico’s Conversos and Crypto-Jews in Santa Fe

Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please look for your Group Leader when you check in. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. 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. Our Group Leader will be the Study Leader for most lectures and field trips during this program. All activities during this program take place at an elevation between 5,000 and 7,500 feet; routine physical activity will be more challenging than at sea level. 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.

At 6:00 p.m. in the hotel meeting room.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.

At the hotel.

In the hotel meeting room, a local expert 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. Following a short break, we will head out on foot for our lunch destination.

At a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will return to the hotel for 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.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We will gather in the hotel meeting room for an expert-led presentation that unpacks the unique and complex tapestry of New Mexico's cultural heritage as it evolved on the outer fringes of New Spain. We'll explore a Spanish colonial caste system that institutionalized the mixing of Indigenous, African, and European peoples; Genizaro communities that are descended from Indian captives who were forcibly integrated into Spanish colonial society; furtive Penitente and crypto-Jewish religious movements; and centuries-old communally-managed irrigation societies. Then we’ll head out on foot with our Group Leader to explore the Santa Fe Plaza. This is the historic heart of the city. We'll visit the Plaza area, Palace of the Governor's, the impressive Romanesque-style Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and other sites as time permits as we learn more about the history of Santa Fe.

At a local restaurant.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

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. Santa Fe is known for the breadth and depth of its culinary offerings. Not to be confused with "Tex-Mex," New Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Native American and Spanish ingredients and techniques. There are a number of fine restaurants within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

We will ride to a special staged reading of Robert Benjamin’s contemporary play "Parted Waters," presented especially for our group by Teatro Paraguas. An international group of actors and artists created Teatro Paraguas in 2004. Although this group’s main mission is to produce bilingual Hispanic/Latino Theater and poetry performances, they will also produce works outside of that mission if they are deemed to be of social and political importance.

Hotel buffet.

We will gather in the hotel meeting room for a discussion on New Mexico Crypto-Jewish historical perspective with a local expert who will lead a group discussion. During this interactive session we will discuss and share family traditions, history and food. Then we will board the motorcoach and head to our lunch destination.

At local restaurant

Next, we'll ride to Museum Hill for a self-directed field trip to the Museum of Indian Arts and 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. Most of the work is from the Southwest. The Museum of International Folk Art hosts the largest collection of international folk art in the world. Some of the items we may see include ceremonial dress and masks, furniture, and Lloyd Cotsen’s Neutrogena collection. We will return to the hotel for some free time before dinner.

At the hotel.

In the meeting room at the hotel, we will enjoy a performance by a local Spanish classical guitarist.

Hotel buffet.

We’ll board the motorcoach and ride up the "High Road" to Taos where we will first visit the Taos Pueblo (if the Pueblo is open; it sometimes closes with little to no advance notice for private Pueblo events). This picturesque Pueblo at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The multiple-storied adobe dwellings reflect an ancient culture. Approximately 100 Pueblo residents still live much as their ancestors did 1,000 years ago, without electricity or running water. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. At the Pueblo, we'll enjoy an expert-led walk through the community. We will then board the motorcoach and ride to the Taos Plaza area for some time for independent explorations and lunch.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We will depart for Santa Fe in the late afternoon.

At historic Rancho de Chimayó, a charming restaurant housed in an old hacienda.

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.

Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

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!