RANDY  BACA,  long  time  member  of   SCJS,

has served in many roles, including  Vice President/Membership.  The story of her personal search for her Jewish roots , “Buscando  Mi Propia Verdad,” appeared in the Spring 01 issue of HaLapid.  Below are her replies, in her own unique style, to a list of questions  sent her recently.

Tell  us a little about your life., your career, family, youth ,etc.

Born in Los Angeles (Maywood Hospital, to be precise) a LONG time ago, I "conned" my parents into moving to New Mexico in 1949, literally, so I could have a horse!  I was an only child, and they bought it.  Even the horse!  Lived in Albuquerque, (where my family originally settled as part of the earliest Spanish "pioneers") until 1976, when my husband and I moved to Phoenix.  He's now deceased, and I make my home in Scottsdale, AZ.  I did LOTS of things, and finally decided radio was my niche, so went after it with a vengeance!  Ended up working both on and off air in radio and television, then opened my own advertising and public relations agency, which I sold when my spouse was transferred (he was in broadcasting, too, as  are several of my stepchildren AND my son).  I decided there were too many radio people around our dinner table, so after moving to Phoenix, I went to work for Maricopa County—everything from social services to building fire stations to digging water wells in Gila Bend (I don't recommend trying that, by the way!), running the dog catchers (in my designer suits and high heels!) and then was Acting Director of Public Health for a couple of years while a national search was conducted for an MD with a PhD in Public Health (none of those letters apply to me, by the way, but I didn't kill anyone while I was running PH, either!  I'm very proud of that!)  Finally, I was the ADA Coordinator for the County, bringing all its 14,000 employees and NUMEROUS facilities into compliance.  Left there, after a nearly ten-year battle before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build and operate a new FM radio station in Phoenix.  Sold it (¡Gracias a Dio!) and supposedly retired, but am currently working on contract as the CEO of the YWCA of Maricopa County—and I can't WAIT to find 'em a permanent CEO so I can go back to being the World's Most Nearly Perfect BUM!  And, of course, to write my next book.

 How did you become aware of a crypto Jewish background?

 My paternal grandmother told a first cousin que "somos Judios" just a few weeks before mi abuela died.  I always thought we were "weird’—maybe "different" would be a more polite word—because my mother's family were supposedly Roman Catholic, but never went NEAR a church except to sprinkle, marry, or bury.  Period!  No "Santos."  No "going to mass"—NEVER!  No rosaries, no nada.  And my father's family were Protestants, but the only part of the "Bible" my father read, or quoted, was the Old Testament, our Torah and Haftorah.

 What was your reaction to the discovery? Was there an identity crisis? What was the reaction of your family? Friends?

 I think the first words were, "Well I'll be...." And I really just KNEW it was true.  BOTH my parents were surnamed "Chavez."  So way back, the families were related, obviously.  The name was spelled "Chaves" until VERY recently, according to official records I've dug up in my genealogical “dig."  I'd been a very devout Christian, High Church Episcopal, matter of fact, for most of my adult life, but stopped believing in Christianity just around the time I learned the familia were "judios."  Good timing, ¿que no?  Some family members were pretty freaked out, some very accepting.  ALL my friends were intrigued, and very supportive when I decided to live the rest of my life as a Jew.  Underwent my Rite of Return (dear Rabbi Plotkin officiated—it was unbelievably wonderful!) and Rabbi named me "Rochel bat Avroham"—that's Doña Rochel to you—and even got white roses from my former priest, who's a terrific guy and TOTALLY supportive of my decision. But I'm the only Jew en la familia.  Makes holidays a little different!

 How and when did you become interested in crypto-Jews and SCJS?

I had told a friend of my family's Jewish roots.  By something just short of a miracle, HE was a patient of Stanley Hordes' brother-in-law.  Somehow, MY friend told the good doctor about me and the good doctor told him about his brother-in-law being the "guru" of crypto-Judaism.  He gave my friend Stan's phone number and eventually made me call Stanley.  After a long telephone conversation, Dr. Hordes told me about the Society, invited me to attend the upcoming conference (in Los Angeles that year), I called Gloria Trujillo (the Society's then President) and we became instant hermanikas!  I went to the conference knowing absolutely no one,  and had a fabulous time, made many friends, learned a great deal and became a member.  The rest, as they say, is history.

 What activities have you been involved in with the society?

I was elected to the Board of Directors as VP/Membership, worked on rewriting our bylaws, pushed like all heck to get us incorporated in California (with new, revised Articles of Incorporation--which Mary Sosin did so admirably) and pushed for us to obtain our

nonprofit designation.  I push a LOT.  I've written several articles and member close ups for HaLapid—sheesh—I don't know.  A whole bunch of things!

 Any anecdotes about SCJS , etc.. ?

None that I could tell in mixed company!  We have had SUCH wonderful times over the years!  I remember our fabulous Shabbat dinners at Dolly Sloan's house (glad everyone liked my lamb roast!) and having everyone on the Board to dinner at my "Casa Baca" in Scottsdale during one of our Board meetings (in Scottsdale)—ah, such fun we've had—and such good things accomplished!  One of the real blessings in my life is the fabulous friends I've made through the SCJS.  I've learned so much, but the acceptance and friendship are the greatest gifts of all.  No, small correction: if it hadn't been for SCJS, I would NEVER have returned to the faith of my ancestors.  I am a Jew because of all I learned, and the research that inspired, through the Society.

What is your vision for SCJS and the field of crypto Judaism?

I want the Society to GROW, with an involved, supportive membership.  I LOVE our annual conference s (even when I can't make them!), and the web site is a fabulous, new tool to reach more and more people.  I would definitely like to see HaLapid expanded—or augmented—by a true academic journal and to find significant grants to allow the Society to expand its outreach efforts, enhance its visibility and credibility and to be able to underwrite new research in this exciting and fascinating field.