AVI joins Jewish indigeneity summit with Israeli professors at Concordia University
- Allied Voices for Israel (AVI)
- Feb 27
- 4 min read
PLUS: Film screening & student mixer in Saskatchewan, visiting the Israeli Consulate in Toronto, tabling with Save A Child's Heart at McGill, & more!
AVI staff connected with our Indigenous allies and Canadian and Israeli professors at Concordia University
Last week, Allied Voices of Israel (AVI) was proud to participate in the symposium, Conceptions of Jewish Indigeneity in Zionist Thought and Politics, hosted by Concordia University and the Azrieli Institute for Israel Studies. We were invited to share our workshops on Jewish indigeneity to Israel and to discuss the educational work we deliver to students across Canada.
The symposium brought together approximately 20 faculty members and professors from Israeli universities, including the Weizmann Institute and Bar Ilan University. We were also honoured to engage alongside our Indigenous allies, Harry LaForme and Sheree Trotter of Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem .
AVI was grateful for the opportunity to be in dialogue with Israeli academics and share how our resources and workshops help Canadian students better understand Jewish indigeneity to Israel.
To learn more about this important symposium, please click here.
Screening Israeli film "Operation Thunderbolt" at the Chabad of Saskatoon
It was inspiring to see our AVI Common Roots Mentor Yalli take the initiative to organize a screening of the legendary Israeli film, Operation Thunderbolt, for his fellow high school students. The movie chronicles a defining moment in Israel’s history – the daring rescue of hostages at Entebbe Airport on July 4, 1976.
The screening was held in Saskatoon. We owe a huge thank you to Chabad of Saskatoon for generously hosting the event in their space!
Our awesome University of Regina crew!
In other Saskatchewan news, AVI brought students together for thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection, and a shared commitment to strengthening community on campus in Regina.
In a time when division can feel loud, spaces for dialogue, respect, and relationship-building matter more than ever. We’re grateful for everyone who joined us and contributed to such an impactful evening.
The program was organized in partnership with the University of Regina Conservatives, the Jewish Students Organization (JSO) at the University of Regina, and StandWithUs Canada.
For more photos, please click here.
Exciting collaborations in the pipeline with the Consulate General of Israel in Toronto and Western Canada!
At a recent meeting with the Consulate General of Israel in Toronto and Western Canada, AVI staff Daniel Koren and Ofra Nissani, alongside board member Jonathan Spiegelman, discussed and brainstormed upcoming initiatives and collaborations to promote allyship and interconnectedness.
We left the meeting very excited for what's to come – stay tuned for more announcements!
Tabling with Save A Child's Heart Canada at McGill University
AVI had the opportunity to table with Israeli nonprofit Save A Child's Heart (SACH) in Toronto, Regina, and now Montreal!
Common Ground Ambassador Maya led a tabling in McGill University's engineering building with Save A Child's Heart at McGill.
The work of SACH is a powerful testament to Israeli values. It is difficult to reconcile the 'apartheid' narrative with the reality of an Israeli organization that mends hearts regardless of religion, gender, or nationality. SACH’s mission is the ultimate rebuttal to these claims.
The next stop on our Save A Child's Heart tabling tour will be the University of Calgary, so stay tuned!
Click the above graphic to read the rest of the quote
On Episode 12 of the Common Voices podcast, AVI’s Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren sits down with Canadian-Iranian journalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Negar Mojtahedi for an important and eye-opening discussion on the unfolding protests, demonstrations, and violence in Iran.
In the episode, Negar describes eyewitness accounts coming out of Iran, which are consistently telling the “same story: killing, killing, killing, killing, and killing.”
She explains that people inside Iran are “terrified” and living under “basically martial law.”
She notes a “conspicuous silence” from the United Nations and other human rights organizations like UNICEF, which have not posted about the many verified child deaths.
Daniel and Negar also dive into the difficulty of getting non-Iranians to understand the extent of the brutality at the hands of the Ayatollah; the misinformation and propaganda consistently spouted by the regime; how the Jewish community and other allies can display solidarity and take action outside of Iran; what the future holds for a potentially free Iran; and so much more crucial information you don’t want to miss.
To listen to episode 12: ‘People can smell death inside Iran’ – a Canadian-Iranian Journalist’s Perspective, with Canadian-Iranian journalist Negar Mojtahedi, please click here.
Click the above cover to watch part 1 of AVI Ambassador Emily's interview!
AVI Student Ambassador and proud ally Emily recently travelled to Portugal, where she visited Sinagoga Sahar Hassamain – an ancient Synagogue nestled in the Jewish area of Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
In the reel series, Emily interviews locals inside of this historical structure, and gives a fascinating overview of its history and significance to Jewish life Portugal.
To watch Part 1 of Emily's adventures, please click here.
Drop by if you're in or around McGill to learn more about this life-saving organization!
We are ten days away from Cocoa & Couture – a contemporary runway showcase featuring the latest Spring 2026 collections, paired with an indulgent brunch.
On Sunday, March 8th at 11am ET, in honour of International Women's Day, we will bring together women of diverse ages and backgrounds to model the latest Spring fashions.
Guests will enjoy brunch selections, wine, a curated chocolate charcuterie experience, and a silent auction - all in support of AVI's educational initiatives across Canada.
Between runway sets, guests are invited to browse and shop curated pieces directly from our featured vendors. Cocoa & Couture will be hosted by our amazing AVI Stakeholder Kim Smiley, founder of The Empathy Effect.
Bring your daughter, sister, girlfriend, or any other important woman in your life. You won't want to miss this!
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