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Meet our Staff

Through advocacy programs to Israel, educational workshops, media fellowships, and other intensive programs, our AVI staff are inspiring a new generation of students to change the narrative around Israel.

Daniel Koren

Founder & Executive Director

Daniel Koren is the Founder and Executive Director of Allied Voices for Israel (AVI). With 13+ years experience in the Jewish nonprofit sector as a fundraiser, Israel advocate, and communications expert, Daniel has worked in leadership roles with B'nai Brith Canada, The Canadian Jewish News, Shalom Life Media, and most recently, as the Executive Director of Hasbara Canada. As a journalist, Daniel has interviewed musicians and actors such as Mayim Bialik, David “Lil Dicky” Burd, Mac Miller z”l, Boi-1da, and others. As an Israel advocate and fundraiser, Daniel has raised nearly three million dollars over the past five years towards combating anti-Jewish hatred at Canadian high school and university campuses.

 

Daniel is an expert on antisemitism in Canada and has been published and/or appeared in video, radio, and print interviews with Global News, CTV News, The National Post, CBC News, The Jerusalem Post, The Toronto Star, VICE Media, Page Six, Huffington Post, The Globe & Mail, The Times of Israel, The Canadian Jewish News, The Algemeiner, Israel National News, and several others.

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Lea J. Bloom

Director of Operations & Development

Lea J. Bloom is an experienced connector with a deep passion for innovation, having made valuable contributions to organizations such as IDF Widows & Orphans, Aish Toronto, Toronto Jewish Comedy Festival, and Chai Lifeline Canada. Her expertise in forging meaningful connections and delivering impactful results is the driving force behind our organization's progressive thinking and success. 

 

Lea leads our annual marquee fundraisers, skillfully connecting the dots to introduce our Founder and Executive Director, Daniel Koren, to influential donors who share our mission. We are fortunate to have Lea's talents on our team, and her dedication to connecting good people with causes they care about is an invaluable asset to our organization.

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Sharon Krasnianski

Communications Associate

Sharon Krasnianski has a passion for communications, creativity, and advocacy. With her extensive background in business development, content creation, and the written word, Sharon has applied her skills to a wide array of endeavours. She has worked for various tech startups, Israel organizations, and Jewish nonprofits, where she honed her skills in leadership, peer development, sales, content creation, and marketing. She graduated Honors With Distinction with a BA from the University of Toronto. It was her university experience that first exposed her to the perils of anti-Jewish hatred on campus and inspired her to spread the message of diversity and peace through advocacy.

Most of all, Sharon is passionate about her birthplace, Israel. She brings her creativity and love of advocacy to her role as Social Media Coordinator at AVI.

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Gabriela Rosenblum

Educational Advisor

Gabriela became involved in advocacy and student empowerment in 2019 and has since been an active advocate for Israel and the Jewish people on campus and in the community at large.

 

Gabriela obtained her HBSc at the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing a Master's of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) at Yorkville University. She has spoken at collaborative town halls, conventions and workshops with other Jewish organizations to increase awareness and find resolutions for current antisemitism concerns. 

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Idaliah Snajdman

Senior Campus Advisor

Idaliah has demonstrated a passion for advocacy and community building among students of all ages. As the Multi-Faith Director at Hillel TMU, she has fostered an inclusive and welcoming environment by collaborating with diverse religious groups on campus to promote mutual understanding and co-existence. Prior to this role, Idaliah taught Jewish education to younger students, strengthening their understanding of the culture and traditions.

 

Currently pursuing a degree in sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University, Idaliah's experiences have equipped her with a unique perspective and appreciation for diversity, which she brings to her work as our Senior Campus Advisor.

Noa Benchaya

High School & Campus Advisor 

Noa has a passion for being actively involved in the Jewish and Israel community. Noa was the President of Hillel and Marianopolis College and later served as the Vice President of Jewish Life for Hillel Ottawa while she was studying at the University of Ottawa. She also participated in the CJPAC and CIJA Chai Fellowships for students on campus. She is excited to be continuing to work in Jewish community in her new chapter at AVI.

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Board of Directors
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Meet our Board of Directors

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Matthew Friedberg

Chairman

Matthew Friedberg is a renowned criminal defence attorney in Toronto and Chair of Allied Voices for Israel (AVI). Matthew graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1995 after being admitted into that institution at the age of 20. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997 and is currently a leading defence attorney with his firm, Caramanna Friedberg LLP. Matthew enjoys a reputation as a leading defence lawyer in the Toronto area. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, the Criminal Lawyers' Association, and the Toronto Lawyers' Association.

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Randi Woloz

Board Advisor

A passionate and energetic business leader, strategist, advisor, operator and innovator with over 20 years professional experience, Randi Woloz is a valued board advisor with Allied Voices for Israel (AVI). A mother of three, graduate of McGill University, and owner of her own executive search firm, Randi brings over 10 years lay leadership experience within the Jewish community to our team. As a former committee chair with both UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and Forest Hill Jewish Centre as well as most recently a Board Member with Jewish National Fund (JNF), Randi brings a wealth of strategic experience to the AVI executive team.

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Nathan Choran

Treasurer

Nathan Choran leads the Canadian Tax Group at Zeifmans. For over 25 years, he has provided strategic advice on income tax matters affecting private companies. Nathan’s professional activities include leading tutorials for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), serving on the CPA Canada and Ontario Budget Summary Committees and presenting lectures on owner-managed business taxation. In addition to his professional experience, he also brings decades of Jewish community experience to his role as Treasurer of Allied Voices for Israel (AVI).

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Rhoda Singer

Board Member

Alongside her husband Herb, Rhoda Singer founded Discount Car & Truck Rentals. As Rhoda says, her "third love after her husband, children and grandchildren" is accounting. At Discount, Rhoda looked after the accounting of her company and was involved in operations and human resources, which opened the door to many new clients and stakeholders. Rhoda's other passion has always been contributing to charities. Rhoda quickly realized that her contacts with various vendors allowed her to combine her passions as she incorporates vendors as major gift donors. Rhoda strives to create a safe space on university campuses across the country.

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Wendy Switzer Myles

Board member

Since retiring from over 35 years of the administration of the manufacturing and retail businesses of her late husband, Lou Myles, Wendy Switzer Myles devotes her time as a volunteer and fundraiser for various charitable causes. Wendy has conceived, chaired, and implemented major fundraising events for Baycrest, Mount Sinai Hospital, Villa Charities, The Harold and Grace Baker Centre, The Canadian Liver Foundation, ORT Canada, The Yonge Street Mission, The Canadian Friends of The Israel Guide Dog Center for The Blind, the Rosalie Hall Young Parent Resource Centre, The Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO), and The Canadian Friends of Herzog Hospital, located in Jerusalem. In 2019, Mrs. Myles was inducted into the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto’s “Book of Life”. She is also proud to have been named as an Honourary Director (Lifetime) of The Baycrest Foundation.

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Vivian Grace Ziner

Board member

Vivienne Grace Ziner has an enormous passion and a commitment for activism and human rights which she inherited from her beloved mother, Rose Ziner z’L”. Her involvement with various groups from many religious, ethnic and diversified backgrounds are a testament to her firm conviction and belief to help threatened minorities in their times of need and distress.

“I would describe the program as an incredibly well-structured learning opportunity for people to become better activists and learn about their people. I am so grateful to have been an intern and a mentor here, and I loved every minute!”

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Leah Freedhoff

Sir Robert Borden High School in Nepean

AVI High School Ambassador

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