Updates

Announcing our Trailblazer Honorees: Ali Velshi and the Forward!

Join us in a conversation with Ibtisam Barakat, author of "Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood", on November 18th at noon PST.

The Albert Memmi Book Club conversation has been moved to December 16, 11:30 AM PST. We will watch a short documentary about Albert Memmi's legacy, and then speak with two scholars about his work and impact.

Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom's annual conference is on Sunday , Oct 27th! Plus, an elgant pre-conference meet and greet on Saturday evening, Oct. 26th at PM.

On October 28, 5 PM PST, we'll speak with Sandy Tolan, author of The Lemon Tree, which tells the story of the al-Khairi and Eshkenazi families and their separate and intertwined histories to a single house and the lemon tree in its garden. Sandy is a best-selling author and an award-winning radio and print journalist who reports on and comments frequently about Palestine and Israel. 

This week, we're offering spaces for grief. We're investing in our change-makers. Our message is clear: We must find the will to re-humanize each other. We must recognize the inherent dignity of those who differ from us and slow down our conversations to truly understand one another. We'd like to invite you in the ways that NewGround is creating space for healing and change this week.

We know that if we cannot find a way to see one another’s people as human beings, the violence will never come to an end. In an essay published today in Zócalo Public Square, Aziza and Andrea reflect on a year of grief, and call on all of us to honor the sacredness of each human life, and we would like to share it with you.

This evening, October 7th at 6pm PST,  via Zoom, Aziza and Andrea will join Dr. Lo Sprague of the Guibord Center for their new series "Take Heart Now." In this conversation, the three will discuss the personal challenges they've faced this year, and explore ways to find grounding and compassion amidst the ongoing heartache and devastation of war.

Each year, the Pico Union Project offers Jewels of Elul, an annual series of short reflections from many authors around a specific theme. This year's theme was "If Not Now, When?" Our executive director Aziza Hasan submitted the following piece, To Bear Witness.

Join us in a conversation with Ibtisam Barakat, author of "Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood", on November 18th at noon PST.

We’re excited to announce the first in a series of author conversations coming this fall. Our first talk will be with Stephanie Saldaña, author of What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of Refugees and the Things They Carry.

Join CCEJ this Tuesday, September 24th for the United Against Hate Webinar: Building Bridges in Divided Times - Online | 1pm – 2pm PT.

Join us this evening (Wednesday, August 28th) at 6:30 p.m. PT online for a reflection with other faith leaders on the March on Washington and its legacy today.

Sharp eyes will recognize several NewGround community members in this group picture from the Day of Religious Pluralism, hosted by LA Civil Rights. Aziza Hasan and Brie Loskota led guided table conversations on the theme of the event: humanitarian solidarity. 

Aziza Hasan spoke during a symposium convened by UCLA's Center for the Study of Hate. She spoke about how hate is a learned behavior that can be unlearned, and how hate can become a driving force of identity for people, which can make it hard to relinquish.