Common Ground Ambassador Lotan Wider gives a powerful interview with Zach Sage Fox at the Times Square vigil for slain hostages
Common Ground Ambassador Lotan Wider with Israel Advocate Zach Sage Fox at Times Square Vigil
It's been a particularly difficult week and anyone with a shred of common decency is mourning the horrific loss of the Bibas children and their mother, Shiri.
To promote awareness of this tragic and devastating loss, Lotan Wider, a York University Student and AVI Common Ground Ambassador, was interviewed at a Times Square memorial by Israel advocate Zach Sage Fox.
The memorial honoured Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel and Kvir who were confirmed to be murdered by Hamas this week, along with 84 year-old Israeli Journalist Oded Lifshits.
Our hearts are with their families. Our collective pain and grief is catastrophic – and a testament to how united we are as a people.
Click on the graphic above to purchase tickets for the event.
AVI is proud to partner with Prosserman JCC and Yes Studios to bring an exclusive Toronto screening of #NOVA, a documentary featuring real-time footage from the victims, first responders, and body-cams of the terrorists on October 7th.
In the days following the Oct. 7 attacks, director Dan Pe’er, who had been volunteering to assist survivors, began receiving numerous video and audio clips from those who had lived through the tragedy.
#NOVA is a chilling documentary that recounts the events of that day, minute by minute, through raw, unfiltered footage captured by festival-goers and the terrorists’ body cameras. The event will also include a panel discussion.
(Left to right): AVI Director of Education Gabriela Rosenblum, Indigenous-Jewish Advocate Lani Anpo, AVI Founder Daniel Koren, and Rapper & Israel Advocate Noah "Westside Gravy" Shufutinsky
We were honoured to lead workshops on combating antisemitism at the BBYO International Convention in Denver, Colorado this week.
Thanks to our epic stakeholders involved with BBYO, AVI had the chance to address the entire delegation of Canadian high school students from all across the country, including our AVI High School Ambassadors in Vancouver.
We also attended various sessions, heard from epic speakers such as Giancarlo Esposito, Lani Anpo, Dr. Logan Levkoff, Shye Klein, and Westside Gravy, and met tons of incredible students along the way.
#BBYOIC2025 was unlike anything we have encountered. The energy, passion, and enthusiasm was unmatched and infectious – our community is in good hands if these students are our future leaders!
To see some more pictures from the conference, please click here.
Please click the above graphic to explore the Christian & Jewish Religious Connection with Common Ground Ambassador Katie Mbakulo
Our Common Ground Ambassador Katie Mbakulo, a student at the University of Ottawa, recently put together an informative infographic this week that takes us through the connection between Judaism and Christianity.
Please click here to learn more about the historical link between these two ancient, Abrahamic religions.
Click the above graphic to read the latest issue of The White and Blue, with op-eds by AVI Student Ambassadors Abhinav Deshwar & Raihaana Adira!
The latest issue of The White and Blue paper features pieces written by two of our AVI Student Ambassadors!
AVI Montreal Allyship Advisor Raihaana Adira, a student at McGill University, wrote a piece about our Canadian tour with Arab-Israeli Journalist and Human Rights Advocate Yoseph Haddad in December.
Please read an excerpt here:
In December 2024, Allied Voices for Israel brought Yoseph Haddad, a prominent Israeli Arab advocate, to speak to Jewish communities across Canada. Over a week, Haddad visited universities, synagogues, and Jewish day schools in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. His message was simple but powerful: Israel’s future relies not on mere coexistence between Jews and Arabs but on true partnership built on shared values, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
Our Common Ground Ambassador Abhinav Deshwar, a student at Concordia University, wrote a piece about his experience on Common Ground Israel as a Hindu student and advocate for Israel.
Please read an excerpt here:
My recent journey to the Holy Land with Allied Voices for Israel (for the Common Ground program) was a profoundly moving experience. Over 10 days, I discovered not only the beauty and resilience of Israel but also a shared connection between Hindus and Jews that dates back centuries, writes Abhinav.
To read Yoseph Haddad: Partnership Not Coexistence (page 2) and Finding Common Ground: A Hindu Student’s Journey Through Israel (page 6), please click here.
Click the above graphic to read our full statement on Harvard University's recent decision
Harvard University recently took decisive action to combat antisemitism as part of a set of provisions agreed upon with students and human rights organizations.
In light of Harvard’s recent decision, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) has directly called on every major university in Canada to adapt such provisions, and do their part in safeguarding Jewish students from discrimination, while ensuring that their Zionist identity is both acknowledged and respected.
To read our full statement, please click here.
AVI's Founder Daniel spoke at the Toronto Heschel School's Table Talk Series
AVI's Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren recently served as a guest speaker at a Table Talk series that was led by the Toronto Heschel School.
Daniel spoke about AVI's work, combating antisemitism on campus, and allyship. Thank you to the Heschel School for inviting us!
AVI West Coast Campus Advisor Jean-Luc Mudingayi tabled with Save A Child's Heart at Mount Royal University
Our Common Ground Ambassador Lary Ephstein recently took part in a student tabling to promote awareness of the Israeli charitable nonprofit Save A Child's Heart at Calgary's Mount Royal University, in partnership with StandWithUs Canada.
Lary was joined by our West Coast Campus Advisor Jean-Luc Mudingayi!
Our #AllySpotlight is American Television Personality, Columnist, and Author Meghan McCain
Meghan Marguerite McCain is an American television personality, columnist, and author. She has worked for ABC News, Fox News, and MSNBC and has always been an outspoken Advocate for Israel and the Jewish people.
In a recent post, she eulogized Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were “slaughtered for being Jewish.”
In a previous post, she wrote, “Once again my family and I stand with Israel and the Jewish people - yesterday, today, tomorrow - always. Our hearts are completely broken. God may have mercy on the terrorists souls but I assure you, America will not. There is no path but Zionism.”
Thank you Meghan, for being on the side of truth, peace, and humanity. Your unwavering support and empathy is a beacon of light during these dark and painful times.
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