
Meet Us
We are a welcoming community in Santa Fe that draws from both the Renewal and Conservative Jewish traditions.
Worship is led by Rabbi Jack Shlachter & Hazzan Cindy Freedman.

Rabbi Jack
Rabbi Jack, aka “the physics rabbi,” was ordained by Rabbi Gershon Winkler in 1995. With a Ph.D. in physics, Rabbi Jack spent much of his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In addition to teaching and leading services each week at HaMakom, Jack has provided itinerant rabbinic support to far-flung Jewish communities, including those in Vienna, Austria, Beijing, China, and Warsaw, Poland, Bangkok, Thailand and Guatemala.

Hazzan Cindy
Hazzan Cindy Freedman has been serving HaMakom in Santa Fe, New Mexico, since 2004. She received her cantorial ordination from ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal in 2014, and she has been a member of the Women Cantor's Network since 2005. She is a professional singer, guitarist, life cycle officiant, and chant leader who thoroughly engages people in the power of prayer through music and sound.

Deborah Avren
Deborah Avren has lived in Santa Fe since 2009. She joined HaMakom and became involved in the Board, eventually becoming President. As an Event Producer she manages the imagination and logistics which result in an inspired and committed community. She and her partner Len Goodman participate in the greater Jewish community and are committed to the growth of our HaMakom community.
Board members:
Stuart Cohen - Photographer, fan of Boston sports
Ellie Edelstein - Asker of questions, golfer
Daryl Giddings -
Donna Landwehr -
In the Beginning…….
The seeds that grew into HaMakom were planted in a Torah study group led by Rabbi Emerita Malka Drucker, who became HaMakom’s founding rabbi. The congregation was officially formed after High Holiday services in 2000 when Rabbi Drucker was joined by her friend, the musician Debbie Friedman, z”l.
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