Updates

Student protests at universities across the country captured our attention in both traditional and social media. This film and the next one in our series, October 8, look at these campus protests from opposing angles. To broaden our understanding of what Muslim and Jewish communities in the US are facing, we need to understand the rhetoric of both sides of this argument. In nearly all cases, protests were much more peaceful than the media portrayed them to be. In some cases, they were most certainly not.  Even if you missed the session, we encourage you to read High Conflict before you join us for the upcoming film sessions.

Our first film, There Is Another Way, will be screened at a private home in Beverly Hills on Thursday, August 7 at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP for the address. Even if you missed the session, we encourage you to read High Conflict before you join us for the upcoming film sessions.

Through this summer and fall we're inviting you on a journey to help us all navigate the fault lines between our communities. Together, we will digest a variety of books and films that will help us explore and better understand what is at stake for Muslims, for Jews, for Palestinians and for Israelis.

The NewGround Symposium was a powerful evening: we shared hard truths, cultivated a deeper understanding of what’s at stake, and thought about how we move forward together. Experts, trusted community voices, and participants spoke about: "Jews Caught in the Middle: Anti-Jewish Bias and Hate from the Right and Left" "Finally Humanizing Palestinians & Muslims: Calling Out Anti-Palestinian Racism & Islamophobia." "Forging the Future Together" "Fishbowl (Participant) Discussion: What Are You Holding Given What You've Heard Today?"

Last month, NewGround partnered with the National Education Association (NEA) — the largest labor union in the U.S. — to gather insights from educators engaging on issues affecting Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Israelis, and Palestinians. We worked with them as part of their effort to support their 3 million members with understanding and empathy.

On Monday, our communications director Ben Ginsburg spoke on LAist's morning call-in show AirTalk to respond to the attacks in Boulder, Colorado over the weekend, and how important it is to see anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate, bias and violence as connected phenomena.

Our communications director Ben Ginsburg spoke on LAist's morning call-in show AirTalk to speak about how NewGround has helped people navigate conversations about the crisis in Israel Palestine over the past 20 months.

We hope you will take a moment to read this powerful article from The Guardian, written by Chris Osuh.

Echoes - Stories from Muslim and Jewish Elders, told by Teens

Andrea Hodos Quoted in Article by Haaretz News

NewGround's CBS documentary receives 2025 Award of Excellence.

Join Andrea and Aziza at the Interfaith Study Group, a collaboration between All Saints Church - Pasadena, Pasadena Jewish Temple, and Center Islamic Center of Southern California on Sunday, April 27th from 5- 7:30 PM at All Saints Church, Pasadena.

Our MAJIC High School Leadership Council was featured in the Jewish Telegraph Agency, Read the full article!

Film Screenings and Director Talks! Join us for talks with directors Beth Lane and Tarek Albaba on April 22nd and 28th, 5:30 PM PST via ZOOM. RSVP here to receive the ZOOM link and film screening instructions: https://mjnewground.networkforgood.com/events/85000-newground-film-screenings?hid=NDYzOTE2OTE=&utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3912142

If a Community of Practice Facilitation Training sounds worthwhile to you, please consider  applying here. This two-day seminar is open to all who are interested in sharpening their facilitation skills -- not just Muslims and Jews -- May 28 and 29.