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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico’s small Jewish community needs to eliminate “silos” or divisions that fragment the population, and help create job opportunities to stem the flow of young people fleeing the state, Jewish leaders said Tuesday after holding a series of focus groups.

Participants of all ages reported a strong sense of Jewish identity, even among the 85 percent of New Mexico Jews who claim no affiliation with religious congregations or secular groups, said Marvin Gottlieb, vice president of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico.

“Everyone seemed to have some sense that there was an ethical life that comes with being Jewish,” Gottlieb said. Virtually all express “a longing to be with other Jews, particularly those in the hinterlands,” he said. Most recognize the Jewish holidays and about 80 percent observe Passover seder.

The series of 10 focus groups, held in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Taos and Las Vegas, marked the second stage of a study that began last year with a first-ever survey of New Mexico’s Jewish population. The survey results, reported in January, found that the state Jewish community is larger, older and more widely dispersed than previously thought.

The study estimated that 24,000 Jews live in New Mexico, more than two-thirds of whom are ages 55 or older, and that 87 percent had moved here from other states. Earlier estimates had put the state’s Jewish population at about 12,000.

New Mexico has a paucity of young Jews, who too often feel “disengaged” from the state’s aging Jewish community, Gottlieb said. Many say they plan to leave the state. “The youths that we have can’t find jobs here, so they leave,” he said.

Many unaffiliated Jews said the politics and division between congregations and their leaders discourage participation in the Jewish community, Gottlieb said. Many expressed a desire for better coordination across organizations, particularly those that work with young people, he said.

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Gottlieb and others called for more collaboration between congregations and organizations to “break down silos” and unite the community, such as art and cultural events, summer camps, outdoor activities and community meals.

Focus group participants also said they would like access to services such as computer classes, financial planning, transportation and health care.

“One thing I wish would happen is more cooperation between Jewish leadership and more connection between communities,” Marina Rabinowitz said during a panel discussion.