On the Land with Atalya Ben-Abba: Registration is live!

by Rabbi Nate DeGroot

Dear companions in love and justice,

Last week, members of The Shalom Center’s Cohort א and partners convened for an incredible four-day immersive at Fetzer Institute. These folks - deep and visionary grasstops and grassroots Jewish leaders from around the country and world - gathered to explore notions of a Jewish post-activism together. It was a profound week filled with learning, embodiment, investigation, reflection, and co-creation. I’m eager to see where the ripples take us!

Then on Sunday, we reveled in sweetness with dear ones and steeped ourselves in the transformative power of love. If you didn’t watch the Yahhhh b’Av program already, I encourage you to register now! You’ll automatically receive the recording when you register and, based on feedback from attendees, I’m confident you’ll find it a meaningful and uplifting way to spend 90 minutes.

And yet, this entire time - as we continue to gather and build - conditions in Gaza have worsened and DC became occupied. These are incredibly trying times. 

To play our little part in the terrible and overwhelming mix, we’re glad to announce our newest program, On the Land with Atalya Ben-Abba, happening on Sunday, August 24th at 1pm ET. 

On this webinar, participants will get to meet Atalya, hear a bit about her background and story of refusing to serve in the IDF, get a look into her current peace activism and perspectives on this moment in history, and understand her vision for a future on the land of Israel/Palestine that is rooted in peace and dignity for all.

I’ll have the honor of moderating the conversation. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers.

The Shalom Center is grateful to be presenting this webinar in partnership with Fellowship of Reconciliation, Jewish Peace Fellowship, and Refuser Solidarity Network. These three organizations are organizing a US speaking tour for Atalya this Elul/September. For more information about her tour, including the possibility of bringing Atalya to your community, email RSN’s T Wise at tyosefwise@gmail.com.

And importantly, half of all proceeds from webinar registration will be donated to HEAL Palestine, an organization founded in 2024 to deliver urgent relief and long-term support to Palestinian children and families.

Through their four pillars—Health, Education, Aid, and Leadership—HEAL Palestine provides critical care and resources while centering grassroots leadership and community-led recovery. Their work is rooted in dignity, resilience, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to heal and thrive.

With so much tragedy, horror, and lethal violence being done to Palestinians, and so much fear, anger, and trauma active for Jewish-Israelis and Jews worldwide, this is a profound and tender opportunity to hear directly from a Jewish-Israeli who is on the land doing important work, while also financially supporting life-saving measures in service of Palestinian healing and thriving.

I sincerely hope you’ll join us!

Blessings,

-Nate