NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change

06/06/2026

We are deeply saddened about the senseless attack on the Temple Emanu-El-Beth-Shalom which has served the Jewish community of Westmount for 144 years.

After a previous act of antisemitic vandalism in February, Rabbi Lisa Grushcow posted a video to social media, saying “This is our holy space, where we come to pray, to build community, for our children to learn and to play and to grow, where we cook food for the hungry, where we do our bit to make a better world. This is a place where we try and open doors and build bridges.”

We are grateful that no one was physically injured in this attack. However, the rise of Antisemitism and Islamophobia spreads fear and anxiety throughout our communities. It is important now, more than ever, that we stand side by side and bridge our communities in solidarity and peace.

06/06/2026

We are deeply saddened about the senseless attack on the Temple Emanu-El-Beth-Shalom which has served the Jewish community of Westmount for 144 years.

After a previous act of antisemitic vandalism in February, Rabbi Lisa Grushcow posted a video to social media, saying “This is our holy space, where we come to pray, to build community, for our children to learn and to play and to grow, where we cook food for the hungry, where we do our bit to make a better world. This is a place where we try and open doors and build bridges.”

We are grateful that no one was physically injured in this attack. However, the rise of Antisemitism and Islamophobia spreads fear and anxiety throughout our communities. It is important now, more than ever, that we stand side by side and bridge our communities in solidarity and peace.

Last Thursday night calls to 911 thwarted another attack – an attempted arson – on a Montreal synagogue.

06/02/2026

Don’t miss this opportunity to join an online book study of New York Times' Bestseller The Future Is Peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land by Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon.

This facilitated series brings together participants to explore the book's vision of peace rooted in dignity, justice, and reconciliation, with a commitment to nonviolent peacebuilding. This book is an opportunity to engage deeply with urgent questions about trauma, humanity, and hope.

There will be weekly online meetings over four Sundays in June - 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

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06/02/2026

The Center for the Study of Organized Hate has documented a troubling rise in online dehumanization and incitement targeting Muslims, including a coordinated 13-month campaign of anti-Muslim bigotry by more than 85 Republican elected officials. Their recent report found a staggering 1,450% surge in anti-Muslim social media posts by Republican officials, promoting conspiracy theories between February 2025 and March 2026.

Watch Niala Mohammad of The Center for the Study of Organized Hate break down how this campaign was built and amplified.

05/27/2026

Eid Mubarak, friends🤍

05/21/2026

The news of a shooting this week at the Islamic Center of San Diego was shocking and continues to impact our communities. Three people were killed — Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, and Mansour Kaziha — and reporting shows that the suspects had materials with them containing hate speech directed toward Muslims — and many other peoples. The shooters attacked ICSD while the morning religious school was in session, and the three victims managed to delay the shooters long enough for police to arrive, likely saving the lives of the children present.

May the souls of Amin, Nadir, and Mansour reach the highest heavens. May their memories, and the memories of all victims of hate, be a blessing and comfort to their families and communities. And may they be a reminder to all of us of one another’s humanity. If you would like to support ICSD, the community has set up a Victim & Family Support Fund.

Shavuot begins tomorrow evening and marks the time when the Jewish people received the Torah. This moment of revelation was not just the beginning of the covenant between God and the people, but also between the people with each other. Today, our ongoing covenant with each other demands that we protect, honor, and uplift our neighbors. Immediately after hearing the news, many of our fellows and alumni reached out to each other, and they will gather in community this evening to support each other in this time of fear and grief.

We know that this violent crime doesn’t come from nowhere. The “manifesto” of the suspects closely mirrors the hate speech connected to the anti-Muslim Christchurch shootings several years ago. At NewGround, we understand that anti-Muslim hate is a tragic part of our cultural fabric, and it is on the rise. We also know that anti-Jewish hate rises at the same time, because these are connected phenomena.

It is our duty to confront Islamophobia and all forms of hatred with our actions, our words, and our hearts. One of the ways we do this by uplifting stories of Muslims, sharing stories of human lives in all their complexity and sacredness. This work is not sufficient on its own to prevent targeted violence, but it is necessary nonetheless.

05/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the screening of Coexistence My Ass by and meaningful discussions after the film! As our 2026 Learning Series comes to a close, we hope you all have gained new perspectives and insights at each of our events and that you have felt comfortable sharing your stories and diving into the hard topics. For those of you who haven’t been able to join us, we have some upcoming events during Summer and Fall so keep and eye out👀

05/14/2026

Join Combatants for Peace for the 7th Joint Nakba Remembrance Ceremony, which will be held on May 15th, 2026, at 8:00pm Jerusalem | 6:00pm London | 1:00pm New York | 10:00am Los Angeles.

On May 15, 2026, Combatants for Peace will hold its 7th Joint Nakba Remembrance Ceremony. The history of the Nakba did not end in 1948. The past two years in Gaza—marked by genocide, mass destruction, and forced starvation—alongside the accelerating displacement, ethnic cleansing, and ongoing realities in the West Bank, are the latest chapters in this long and painful history.

See more information here: https://www.afcfp.org/2026-joint-nakba-remembrance-ceremony?emci=dc5c8871-6d4d-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&emdi=04819ae0-6d4d-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&ceid=2483579

05/07/2026

May 11, 6:30 PM: “Coexistence, My Ass!”
Join us for this comedic documentary and group conversations after the film.

Noam Shuster Eliassi grew up the literal poster child for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process before making a hard pivot to stand-up comedy and political satire. But as the region sinks deeper into devastating violence, she must meet the moment by challenging her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter. DOWNTOWN LA AREA.

RSVP for the address: https://mjnewground.networkforgood.com/events/94958-newground-2026-learning-series?hid=MjUwNjc1OTc=&utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_4614581

05/03/2026

On May 6, 10:00 AM on Zoom we will speak with Becca Strober about the 2011 film The Law In These Parts, which documented the way that military courts function in the West Bank, and how things have changed — largely for the worse — in the 15 years since. This film will help us understand the imbalance in systems of power between Israelis and Palestinians today, how they were built, and how they are sustained. Before our conversation with Becca, please watch The Law In These Parts to be prepared for our discussion. You can watch the film for only $4: https://shorturl.at/GZy40