AVI students raise awareness about hostages on campus

PLUS: AVI staff and students participate in National Forum on Combating Antisemitism in Ottawa

(Left to right): AVI Common Ground Ambassadors and allies Katie Mbakulo and Steven Warren, tabling at the University of Ottawa

We are proud of our incredible AVI Common Ground Ambassadors and allies Katie Mbakulo and Steven Warren, who hosted an Ask Us About the Hostages tabling at the University of Ottawa this week.

Students engaged with Katie and Steven and viewed different pieces of artwork honouring the hostages. Students on campus also had the opportunity to leave a message of hope.

To see who stopped by their table, please click here.

(Left to right): Allies Raheel Raza and Justice Harry LaForme, AVI Founder Daniel Koren, and Director of Quebec & Atlantic Canada Noa Peretz Benchaya

On Thursday, Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren and Director of Quebec & Atlantic Canada Noa Peretz Benchaya represented Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) at the National Forum for Combatting Antisemitism in Ottawa, hosted by the Government of Canada.

They met with provincial, territorial, and municipal leadership, law enforcement, prosecutors, and members of the Jewish community, to address the growing public safety threat posed by antisemitism. The event also featured a speech by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – one of his last in office. 

It is incumbent upon everyone who attended, no matter what happens in the weeks ahead, to ensure that the words shared at the Forum lead to meaningful action! 

We also hosted a bagel brunch at York University, in partnership with SSI York

AVI and the Students Supporting Israel (SSI) chapter at York University teamed up to host a bagel brunch on campus, which was led by AVI Common Ground Ambassador and SSI York President, Michael Mandel!⁠ Students talked about our programs at AVI and how to build meaningful coalitions on campus.

To peruse more photos from the brunch, please click here. 

Pictured: AVI Common Ground Ambassador Daniel Spinner, Guelph University

Common Ground Ambassadors Daniel Spinner and Noah Kales, in collaboration with SSI, AEPI, Chabad, and Hillel, led the initiative to paint the University of Guelph's Cannon orange.

“We painted the cannon orange to honor the Bibas family and commemorate their memory. Our goal was to raise awareness on campus about the innocent lives lost and those still held hostage in Gaza. Our community came together in unity and Jewish pride, praying and singing in their memory,” they said. 

To view more photos from this powerful tribute, please click here. 

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AVI's Founder Daniel Koren engaged with our incredible Christian allies at the 2025 Toronto Prayer Breakfast

This week, our Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren attended the 2025 Toronto Prayer Breakfast. It was a beautiful gathering of Christians to pray for Toronto’s Leaders and our Community. It was a morning of prayer, healing, and solidarity.

Daniel connected with some of our incredible Christian partner organizations, including International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) Canada and our friends at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Canada, who sponsored the event!

Join us March 9th at 10am to "Run for Their Lives"

This Sunday, March 9th, please join us to walk for the 59 hostages who have yet to return home to Israel. We will be meeting at 10am at Promenade Mall in Thornhill, Ontario.

This walk is in partnership with Run for Their Lives Thornhill. 

Bagel Brunch in partnership with Chabad on Campus at Brock University

Thank you to the amazing Brock University students who joined our Bagel Brunch in partnership with Chabad at Brock to learn more about our educational programs at AVI. We loved connecting with you and we're glad you loved our merch! 

To peruse more photos from the brunch, please click here. 

York University student and SSI York President Michael Mandel is this week's #AmbassadorSpotlight

Our #AmbassadorSpotlight this week is Michael Mandel, one of our wonderful Common Ground Ambassadors studying Jewish Studies and Political Science at York University.⁠

Hi everyone! My name is Michael Mandel and I’m a fourth year student studying Jewish Studies and Political Science at York University. This year I had the honour of being a Common Ground Ambassador with Allied Voices for Israel. After hearing about many fantastic experiences from the Rome trip, I decided to visit Israel with AVI. This trip was unique, as it taught me the value of creating coalitions with other communities on campus. ⁠

This past year at York has been challenging but has illustrated the Jewish community’s resilience. Not only have we supported one another, we have also been supported by other religious and ethnic communities. I chose to become a Common Ground Ambassador to better serve my Jewish community and to serve our allies as well.

Please note: In honour of Ariel, Kfir, Shiri, and Yarden Bibas, AVI has changed its main branding colour to orange. Our heart and prayers are with the entire Bibas Family.