Common Voices
Building bridges towards peace and understanding.
This podcast shares the powerful stories of peace-seeking leaders and the inspiring initiatives of everyday individuals, including those fostering meaningful allyship with Israel and the Jewish people. Join us as we explore how coexistence and respect foster positive relationships, and that finding our common ground leads us to speaking in "Common Voices".​
Canadian Students Speak Freely About Anti-Jewish Hatred on Campus
EPISODE EIGHT
Liat Schwartz & Michael Mandel
Recent surveys reveal a concerning trend: Jewish students in Canadian post-secondary institutions feel suppressed. Many are afraid to be openly Jewish or express their views on the Middle East conflict. While some quietly hide their Star of David necklaces, others like Liat Schwartz and Michael Mandel are proudly displaying them, enduring acts of intimidation and threats of violence. In this podcast, you will hear their powerful stories and understand why they are choosing to stand up against antisemitism and hate on campus. Tune in to hear how these pioneering voices are challenging conventional narratives and offering a new path toward understanding, solidarity, and healing.
A Shared Struggle: Harry LaForme, Canada's First Indigenous Court Judge, on First Nations & Jewish Communities
EPISODE SEVEN
Harry LaForme
Join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation with Harry Laforme, Canada's first Indigenous Court Judge. In this episode, we delve into his unique perspective as an advocate for both the Indigenous and Jewish communities, and how he recognizes the ancient and undeniable right to self-determination of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland of Israel. Laforme, a member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, shares his personal journey and explains why he feels a profound kinship with the Jewish people. He draws powerful parallels between the shared histories of suffering, persecution, and resilience. This conversation explores how communities forged through collective trauma often find common ground and gravitate towards each other. Tune in to hear how this pioneering voice is challenging conventional narratives and offering a new path toward understanding, solidarity, and healing.
Standing Tall: Yuval David's Unflinching Presence at Pride Despite Attacks For Being Jewish
EPISODE SIX
Yuval David
Join us as we connect with Yuval David, the Emmy Award-winning actor, host, director, and filmmaker, known for his work in film, television, and digital content. David is a prominent advocate and activist. The LGBTQ community has been particularly vocal about the Middle East crisis, leading advocate Yuval David to pivot much of his attention away from speaking up for the group, to combating misinformation and Jewish hatred. Previously focused on advancing LGBTQ rights, the events of October 7th compelled David to educate his community on Zionism and counter the antisemitism he faced, even from within his own supporters.
A Hindu Perspective on Combatting Bigotry, & Finding Common Ground
EPISODE FIVE
Ragini Sharma
We spoke with Ragini Sharma, co-founder of COHEE (the Canadian Organization for Hindu Heritage Education), to gain insights into the Hindu faith and explore the challenges they face in fostering common understanding. Every ethnic and religious group faces discrimination, both here in Canada and around the globe. The Common Voices podcast aims to bridge these divides by fostering understanding through dialogue, bringing people closer rather than pushing them apart.
The Ripple Effect: How the Iran-Israel Conflict Reshapes Syria
EPISODE FOUR
Rawan Osman
Unlock the complexities of Middle East geopolitics. In this compelling episode, we delve deep into the escalating Iran-Israel war and Syria's new leadership plays a role. Join us as Rawan Osman (Lebanese-Syrian Activist) unravels the intricate web of alliances, and suggests how the blood on Iran's hands is reshaping the Syrian landscape. From the Syrian civil war's enduring legacy to the strategic calculations of Damascus amidst regional tensions, this podcast offers crucial insights for anyone seeking to understand the geopolitical implications of this unfolding crisis. Rawan Osman provides an indispensable analysis of Syria's precarious position, caught between two regional giants, and explores the humanitarian, and political fallout. You will be stunned to learn what her predictions are.
What Canadians Need to Know About Israel
EPISODE THREE
Ashley Waxman Bakshi
In this powerful episode of Common Voices, host Justin Chow sits down with Ashley Waxman Bakshi, a Canadian-born beauty and lifestyle influencer turned outspoken advocate against antisemitism and misinformation. Now based in Israel, Ashley shares her journey from growing up detached from her Israeli-Jewish identity, to facing antisemitism at university, to discovering her voice as a fierce defender of truth. Ashley opens up about her early activism, her shock at the anti-Israel narratives on campus, and her deep dive into history to seek answers. She discusses her shift from YouTube makeup tutorials to global advocacy, and how moments like Operation Guardian of the Walls and October 7th compelled her to speak out. Together, Justin and Ashley unpack common misconceptions about Israel, Zionism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, touching on media bias, propaganda, coexistence within Israel, and the complexity of Middle Eastern geopolitics. Ashley explains why peace-not polarization-is the true goal, and why Canadians need to educate themselves beyond headlines.
What Building Bridges Truly Looks Like
EPISODE TWO
Raheel Raza
What does real allyship look like in a world divided by hate? In this deeply moving and courageous conversation, Common Voices co-host and Allied Voices for Israel executive director Daniel Koren sits down with renowned Muslim human rights activist Raheel Raza to explore the true meaning of allyship, the price of standing up for what's right, and the urgent need to bridge divides between Jewish and Muslim communities. A practicing Muslim woman who proudly supports Israel's right to exist, Raheel shares her personal journey, the challenges she's faced-including threats, opposition, and isolation-and why she refuses to let fear or hate silence her voice. From her groundbreaking work with the Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism to her unwavering belief in building trust, love, and respect across communities, Raheel offers a powerful model of what it means to lead with courage and compassion. Together, Daniel and Raheel discuss how to break out of echo chambers, why grassroots movements matter more than ever, and how Canadians-especially youth-can reclaim a future rooted in peace, understanding, and shared humanity.
Being Chinese, American & Jewish