Atlanta, GA, February 16, 2026… Root & Branch is excited to announce plans to hold its upcoming Root & Branch Unity Conference from March 6-7 in Atlanta, GA. The conference will bring Jews and Christians together in support of Israel, and discuss the situation in Iran that poses a threat to Iranians, Israel, the United States, and the West in general. Jewish and Chrisitan leaders from a wide range of backgrounds will participate as part of panel discussions, prayer, and other important dialogues.
As a program that is designed to connect Jews and Christians, the Root & Branch Unity Conference is being held deliberately over Friday and Saturday, coinciding with Shabbat, the Biblical day of rest. Participants will be greeted by opening remarks by the Deputy Consul General of the State of Israel to the Southeast, Anna Shteingart, and will be hosted to a traditional Jewish Shabbat dinner, a joint Shabbat evening worship, and more.
Root & Branch Co-Founder Jonathan Feldstein will explain and engage the participants in the traditional rituals of Shabbat, with other special guests participating. Friday night, the keynote address will be delivered by Root & Branch Co-Founder Marziyeh Amirizadeh who will share about her inspiring and compelling story being arrested and sentenced to death in Iran because she converted to Christianity, and also share her personal insight about what’s going on in Iran today. The timing of the Conference could not be more significant, as it is the week that Jews around the world celebrate their miraculous deliverance in Persia, 2500 years ago under a different antisemitic tyrant, and it’s the week of the anniversary of Amirizadeh’s arrest and being sentenced to death in Iran for the “crime” of converting to Christianity.
On March 7, the Unity Conference will have a series of panels and other activities providing personal updates and inspiring dialogue about Israel.
In a “Personal Update from Israel,” Jonathan Feldstein will moderate a panel with featured guests sharing their personal stories from and about Israel. Robyn Lubin is the mother of Sgt. Rose Lubin, and Atlanta native who joined the IDF and was killed in a November 6, 2023 terrorist attack by a 16-year-old Palestinian Arab outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Congressman Earl “Buddy: Carter (R-GA) is planning to participate and share his insights as well.
During a traditional Shabbat lunch, Rabbi Jonathan Hausmann of Congregation Ahavath Torah in Stoughton, MA, will host an interactive Bible study among Jews and Christians. As a long time Jewish leader building bridges between Jews and Christians, “Rabbi J” will also participate in the Friday evening Shabbat dinner. While joining from Massachusetts, Rabbi J coming to Atlanta is also a homecoming because he did his law degree at Emory.
Over lunch, co-founder Marzi Amirizadeh will also hold an informal dialogue with participants about the current situation in Iran, the need to end the Islamic Republic, how to free Iran, and what that will mean for Israel, the United States and the rest of the world.
The Saturday afternoon panel, “Christian Voices for Israel” will feature Pastor Rod Ginn, Events Coordinator for Christians United for Israel, the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States with over 10 million members, and Kelly Wright, long time national TV broadcaster and currently Senior White House Correspondent for CBN. Wright will also participate in a gospel rendering of the Friday evening service welcoming the Sabbath. The panel will be moderated by long time Christian advocate for Israel and journalist Arlene Bridges Samuels.
Concluding the panel, Christian teens will join the conversation, talking about how and why Israel is important to them, and what needs to be done to amplify that in their generation for the future.
Root & Branch is a partnership between NewPersia.org and the Genesis 123 Foundation, and has pioneered a vision known as the first olive harvest pilgrimage in Israel. It will hold its third olive harvest in the fall of 2026, and is offering a unique anointing oil made from the oil of the olives harvested by Christian volunteers and blended with a special mix of all biblical fragrances. The proceeds of this and other Root & Branch projects will be used to support Israelis of all backgrounds who have been impacted by the war that started with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and massacre. Co-Founders Amirizadeh and Feldstein will share plans for their bigger vision that will propel Root & Branch to plant roots that are deeper and wider, making warm and ongoing relations between Jews and Christians.
For media, more information, or to register before the Conference sells out, please visit www.RootandBranchisrael.com or click HERE. You can also connect with Root & Branch at RootandBranchIsrael@gmail.com.
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