AVI participates in Christian Conference at Toronto church

PLUS: AVI Ambassador at McGill University speaks out, recapping our Common Ground Italy and Indigenous-Jewish Friendship initiatives, and more!

(Top) AVI connected with many Christian allies at The Israel Conference, hosted by the National House of Prayer, and we also participated in a panel discussion with Amanda from HonestReporting Canada (bottom)

This week reinforced that education is our strongest shield against misinformation. ⁠

Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) had the privilege of participating in The Israel Conference, hosted by the National House of Prayer. It was an incredible day centred around building true Christian-Israel unity and standing together in solidarity.⁠

AVI's Founder and Executive Director, Daniel Koren, took the stage for a critical panel discussion alongside Amanda Eskenasi from HonestReporting Canada. Together, they tackled one of the most urgent issues facing our communities today: how to properly educate our youth about Israel and empower them to stand up against aggressive propaganda and political narratives.⁠

If we want the next generation to stand firmly for truth, we have to equip them with the right tools. Thank you to everyone who joined this vital conversation! 

To see more photos from the conference, please click here. 

Click the above graphic for some highlights of our Building Indigenous & Jewish Friendship Symposium

We are still reflecting on an unforgettable symposium with our incredible indigenous friends.⁠

Our recent gathering with the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF), Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem, and Kanada House, brought together Indigenous and Jewish leaders, academics, and advocates to explore shared values, ancestral connections to land, and global paradigms of education and identity.⁠

The foundation of the event was laid through a sacred Opening Protocol by Elder Dr. Wendy Phillips and Elder Mark Phillips, grounding us all in a spirit of profound respect. Throughout the day, our brilliant speakers challenged paradigms, examined the historical weight of treaties, and traced the deep, parallel cultural frameworks that connect our communities. The energy culminated in an extraordinary Indigenous leadership panel and deep, collaborative working group dialogues.⁠

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What made this event truly special was the commitment to action: every community discussion was guided by traditional Circle Protocol, ensuring every single voice was valued as we worked together in the spirit of building true friendship.⁠

Our deepest gratitude goes out to our visionaries, speakers, and participants for bringing their collective wisdom to the table.

⁠To see our highlights from the symposium, please click here. 

Click the above still to read Harry LaForme's piece in the National Post

As part of the weekend's events, several Indigenous leaders spoke at local synagogues. Following Mark Carney's recent address at a Toronto synagogue, Harry LaForme, Canada's first Indigenous appellate judge, delivered a powerful message on what leadership on this issue should actually look like.

In a recently published National Post thinkpiece, he shared his perspective, providing clarity on the definition of colonialism, and a necessary response to the current rise in antisemitism.

He writes: “As an Anishinaabe man, a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and someone who spent almost 25 years as a judge interpreting the laws of this country, let me be clear — Canada is a colonial country. Israel is not.”

This is an absolute must-read piece on allyship, truth, and shared history.

To read Harry LaForme: I stood on my ancestral land and said what Carney would not, please click here.

As part of the weekend's events, several Indigenous leaders spoke at local synagogues. Following Mark Carney's recent address at a Toronto synagogue, Harry LaForme, Canada's first Indigenous appellate judge, delivered a powerful message on what leadership on this issue should actually look like.

In a recently published National Post thinkpiece, he shared his perspective, providing clarity on the definition of colonialism, and a necessary response to the current rise in antisemitism.

He writes: “As an Anishinaabe man, a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and someone who spent almost 25 years as a judge interpreting the laws of this country, let me be clear — Canada is a colonial country. Israel is not.”

This is an absolute must-read piece on allyship, truth, and shared history.

To read Harry LaForme: I stood on my ancestral land and said what Carney would not, please click here.

Click the above still to watch an important message from Common Ground Ambassador and McGill University student Justice

We just landed back on Canadian soil after an incredible eight days exploring Jewish indigeneity and history in Italy through our Common Ground trip.

Our 25 students are already motivated to make a difference combating hatred on their campuses. Among them is McGill University student Justice, who recently published an important video regarding a hateful and antisemitic incident in Montreal.

During a radical pro-Hamas protest on the streets of downtown Montreal, protesters hanged an effigy of a Jewish man. When police were called, they did absolutely nothing to stop this grotesque and intensely hateful display, which had little to do with creating peace or prosperity for Palestinians. 

“Let’s fight for change! History will not repeat itself,” says Justice. “Radicalism, antisemitism, and anti-Western sentiment will not prevail, because we are strong and we are willing to fight back as a society.” 

To watch the video, please click here. 

Click here to watch a snippet of our experience of the Colosseum, and here for some interesting facts regarding our visit to the Arch of Titus on Common Ground Italy

While exploring the ancient city of Rome on Common Ground Italy, the Jewish connection to its major sites was palpable.

Touching the stones of the Colosseum – an ancient amphitheatre built nearly 2,000 years ago – our tour guide Inoun declared that “you can touch the stones, and you can feel Jerusalem.” 

After the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, the Roman Emperor Titus returned to Rome with treasures looted from the Jewish Temple. Historical sources tell us that the wealth taken from Jerusalem helped fund monumental building projects, including the Flavian Amphitheater—the structure we know today as the Colosseum.

To watch a video we put together about our visit to the Colosseum, please click here. 

Our visit to the Arch of Titus, which was built to celebrate Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem, was particularly meaningful.

Its carvings immortalize the looting of the Second Temple—the Menorah, sacred vessels, and treasures carried away from the Jewish homeland.

Standing beneath that arch with students of all backgrounds felt like history coming full circle. What was once intended as a monument to Jewish defeat now stands as a testament to Jewish resilience. The stones tell a story of exile. Our presence tells a story of survival. 

To watch snippets of our visit to the Arch of Titus, please click here. 

From Jerusalem to Rome, from ancient history to the next generation of campus leaders, we came to learn, to build bridges, and to deepen our understanding of Jewish history, identity, and indigeneity.

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Click here to watch our time in Florence, and here to learn more about history's first ghetto - the Jewish Ghetto in Venice

From exploring the magnificent Great Synagogue of Florence and its museum housing precious artifacts of Jewish life, to standing beneath the breathtaking dome of the Duomo, every corner of Florence revealed another layer of history, faith, art, and connection.

We admired the legendary bronze doors of Lorenzo Ghiberti, wandered through Florence’s winding streets, shared incredible meals together, and engaged in meaningful conversations that brought the city’s Jewish heritage to life.

⁠For a recap of our time in Florence, please click here. ⁠

In Venice, we stepped into the Jewish Ghetto—the world’s very first ghetto, established over 500 years ago. Standing inside three out of the five centuries-old synagogues in the ghetto, you can feel the weight of the walls meant to confine a community, but you also feel something much more powerful: an enduring spirit.

To see Jewish life not just remembered here, but still actively thriving, is a profound reminder of true resilience. Venice is famous for its bridges, but its most beautiful structure is the unbreakable strength of its history.

For a video recapping our exploration of Venice's Jewish Ghetto, please click here. 

Click the above graphic to learn more about the intersection between Queerness and Zionism

Queerness and Zionism – how do they intersect?⁠

AVI Social Media Intern Kyla dives into Queer Zionism, how these two identities intersect, Israel's LGBTQ+ reality, and the challenges and opportunities involved in holding multiple, distinct identities – all in honour of Pride Month festivities, which are happening all over the world this month, including Israel, despite tensions building in the north. ⁠

To get a better understanding of the intersection between Queerness and Zionism, please click here.

Click the above graphic to read the speaker bios and register!

In honour of Jewish Heritage Month and Asian Heritage Month, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) is partnering with the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF) on a webinar series celebrating Jewish and Asian culture – highlighting our shared values as Canadians.

The events are also being sponsored by Doctors Against Racism and Antisemitism (DARA), Toronto Asian Parents Association (TAPA), and The Jewish Therapist Collective.

On Sunday, June 14th, our very own Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren will moderate a panel discussion featuring AVI Student Ambassador at the University of British Columbia Brandon Lu, Dr. Weidong Pei, and AVI friend Karen Woods of the Canadian Chinese Political Affairs Committee (CCPAC). 

Each panelist will relay their personal story of connecting wth the Jewish community and fighting antisemitism, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

To register for Why I Stand with the Jews and Israel: Chinese Canadian perspectives, please click here.

Click the above flyer to register

Join us and CJPAC, Hillel Montreal, Federation CJA on Campus, and StandWithUs Canada for a relaxed BBQ evening as we celebrate la Fête Nationale and look ahead to Quebec’s upcoming election season.

For generations, Jewish Montrealers have been part of Quebec’s civic and cultural life. This evening is an opportunity to celebrate that connection and bring together students, young professionals, and alumni from across the community in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

• Tuesday, June 16

• 6:00–9:00 PM

• Downtown Montreal (exact location shared upon RSVP)

• Chill BBQ vibes, it’s the last one before summer! 

• Bring your best Habs hoodie

Tickets are free with limited spots available. 

To register, please click here.

Click each banner to register!

We are proud to promote two incredible upcoming events organized by the Collective at Makom Sanctuary. 

The Passion and Politics of Islam will include two sessions: June 24 from 6pm to 9pm and June 28 from 4pm to 7pm. Understanding Faith, Culture, History & Contemporary Challenges is a two-evening immersive course led by community members and AVI friends Raheel and Syed Raza. 

With nearly two billion followers globally and more than 1.8 million Muslims in Canada, understanding Islam is essential for anyone navigating today's multicultural society. This series exists for a reason: to actively combat racism and bigotry, counter antisemitism, and challenge radicalization — by replacing ignorance with understanding, and assumptions with direct human connection. 

To register for each session, please click here.

The Shabbat Lyla dinner for Young Professionals is on June 26, 7-10pm, a monthly Shabbat dinner series bringing together Jews and allies around a shared table to build connection, allyship, and community.

In a time when Jewish communities and our allies are actively seeking visible, supportive spaces, Shabbat Lyla creates room for meaningful conversation, belonging, and relationship-building—rooted in the beauty and ritual of Shabbat, and open to friends who want to experience it together. 

Each dinner is intentionally curated, hosted by community leaders, and centered around thoughtful dialogue, great food, and shared values. This edition’s community is for young professionals, students, and mentors. 

To register, please click here.