First Nations leaders join Jewish Indigeneity event in Edmonton

PLUS: Upcoming event with Ethiopian students at York, highlighting efforts of AVI students at Wilfrid Laurier, McMaster, McGill, and Mount Royal University, and more!

AVI Founder Daniel Koren at “An Evening with Ben M. Freeman: Jewish Indigeneity: Resilience, Identity, and Combatting Antisemitism” in Edmonton

Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) was proud to recently co-host “An Evening with Ben Freeman: Jewish Indigeneity: Resilience, Identity, and Combatting Antisemitism,” in partnership with Federation Edmonton, Hillel Edmonton, the Wirth Institute at the University of Alberta, and CMJ Canada. 

It was an honour to partner with First Nations leaders for this event. We were welcomed onto Treaty Six territory by Chief Victor Buffalo of Samson Cree Nation, who played a pivotal role in establishing Canada's first Indigenous-owned financial institution. 

Elder Rick Lighting, a leader with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, opened the event with a special sweetgrass ceremony and blessing. Finally, Ben spoke about indigeneity not being a monolith, and the importance of acknowledging the unique, Jewish tie to their indigenous homeland.

To view footage from the event, please click here.

AVI Common Ground Ambassador Ethan Tehranzadeh

McMaster University students recently joined our AVI staff on campus to learn all about our Common Ground Ambassadorship and Israel program! ⁠

Common Ground Ambassador and McMaster Student Ethan Tehranzadeh spoke about what he learned in Israel this past Winter and his experience with AVI.⁠

⁠Please click here to watch.

Common Ground Ambassador Lotan Wider continues to speak out against antisemitism at York, despite the critics

Common Ground Ambassador and York Student Lotan Wider started a postering campaign promoting his quotes in a recent National Post article, calling for the resignation of York University Student President Somar Abuaziza. Despite her supporters consistently tearing down his posters, Lotan continues to spread his message around campus. 

“A group of York students began ripping the posters in front of us.

They claimed it’s because they hate Israel. The fact that the word Israel was not mentioned on the poster even once exemplifies more proof that it was never about Israel,” says Lotan.

“There are people on campus nowadays that do not think Canada should exist as the freedom-loving country that it is. We will never let that happen.”

AVI's Founder Daniel Koren recently spoke at a walk organized by Run 4 Their Lives Thornhill

At a walk in honour of the hostages in Gaza organized by Run 4 Their Lives Thornhill, AVI Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren delivered a moving speech on AVI’s mission and the need for more unity and camaraderie against hatred in an increasingly divisive Canada.

Please click here to watch.

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AVI Common Ground Ambassador and Laurier Student Taddy Grechanik

A tabling a day keeps the doctor away!

Our Common Ground Ambassador Taddy Grechanik hosted a “We're Jewish, Ask Us Anything” table at Wilfrid Laurier University this week, in partnership with StandWithUs Canada.

We had a blast hosting Australian Television Presenter Erin Molan at Chabad of McGill University

AVI hosted a student lunch with Australian Journalist and proud Jewish ally Erin Molan, in partnership with Chabad at McGill University!⁠

Erin was fired from her position at Sky News Australia in December of last year. Her firing came just a few months after she announced she was receiving hate and threats for her support of Israel. ⁠

“I’m here to be the loudest member of the silent majority that I can be,” said the pro-Israel news presenter after Sky News Australia axed her news show. ⁠

Common Ground Ambassador and McGill Law School student Samuel Benzaquen came out to show his support!

Check out the events happening next week!

In AVI events news, we will be hosting Ethiopian and Jewish students for a traditional Ethiopian meal Monday, March 24th at 7pm, to celebrate the deep-rooted bond and strong allyship between our communities 🇮🇱💙❤️🇪🇹, in partnership with Students Supporting Israel (SSI) at York University. 

Please click here to register.

On Friday March 28th, join Hillel Winnipeg and AVI for a Shabbat dinner to end off the month! Spend time with old friends and make some new ones while bringing in Shabbat together.

If you're a Winnipeg student, please click here to register.

Our #AmbassadorSpotlight is Mount Royal University student Lary Epshtein

Meet our #AmbassadorSpotlight Lary Epshtein, one of our wonderful Common Ground Ambassadors at Mount Royal University in Alberta.

“Hey everyone, my name is Lary. This past winter I took part in AVI’s Common Ground Ambassadorship. I took this leap because I was seeking ways to keep advocating for my motherland, Israel. It was a very deliberate decision to go back home during wartime, but I was not scared; for I have experienced what being bombed is in the past.

The impact of the trip touched my heart in a real and deep way. I met amazing individuals on the trip, and made lifelong connections with people who share my love for this country.”

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.