AVI students mark Oct. 7 on campuses across Canada

Students organize vigils at campuses like Western, York, UBC, McGill, York, MRU, TMU, OCAD, Guelph, Calgary, Concordia, McMaster & UVic!

AVI Student Ambassadors Brandon Ball, Bisrat Mulugeta, and Elianna Perlmutter promote awareness of the victims of Oct. 7th at York University

This week has tested our community in many ways. Across Canada, campuses once meant to foster learning and inclusion became scenes of fear and division. At Concordia University, an Oct. 7th “rally” led to the campus being shut down amid safety concerns. 

Anti-Israel rallies also took place at the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto Mississauga, all on the very day that marks the deadliest attack against the Jewish People since the Shoah.

Yet, even as others gathered to spread hatred, our students chose a different path. Across over a dozen campuses, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) Student Ambassadors – Jewish and non-Jewish alike – stood together in vigils of light and remembrance. They showed the Canada we believe in: one rooted in respect, courage, and moral clarity.

AVI Student Ambassador Daniel Spinner delivers a speech at the Guelph University vigil this week

Their actions were bold and powerful. They lit candles, spoke candidly, shared prayers, and reminded their peers what humanity looks like. They embodied the essence of Jewish resilience — the idea that even in the darkest moments, we are commanded to be a light unto the nations.

It has been a painful and challenging time, yet with the uplifting news that our hostages are finally coming home and the war is drawing to a close, we find renewed strength. 

In our last email, we offered details about rallies and vigils that took place at the University of Calgary, McGill University, Concordia University, and McMaster University. Please click here for a refresher.

AVI Student Ambassador Arielle Cheuk joins students at an Oct. 7 vigil at the University of Calgary

At Guelph University, AVI Student Ambassadors helped organize an impactful vigil attended by the broader campus community. Two of our students – Daniel Spinner and Gracie Lodewyk – spoke at the vigil and about their experiences being Jewish and Christian on campus.

Daniel and Gracie joined other students and our friends at StandWithUs Canada at Guelph this week at our campus tabling to remember the victims of Oct. 7th. Students engaged in meaningful conversations, offered educational resources and materials, and promoted awareness about how to combat anti-Jewish propaganda.

At the University of Calgary, AVI Student Ambassadors teamed up with Hillel Calgary and StandWithUs Canada to promote commemorate the victims of Oct. 7. 

AVI Student Ambassador Michael Mandel delivers a speech at the York University vigil this week

At York University, AVI Student Ambassador Michael Mandel spoke at the vigil organized by Hillel Ontario. Michael – alongside AVI Ambassadors Bisrat Mulugeta, Brandon Ball, and Elianna Perlmutter – also hosted a tabling at York to commemorate the victims of Oct. 7th and promote awareness of the hostages who have been in Gaza for over two years.

BH they will be home with their families in Israel within the next few days!

Donate Now

AVI Student Ambassadors Liat Schwartz and Coby Sadeh host a tabling in loving memory of Ben Mizrachi at Toronto Metropolitan University

At Toronto Metropolitan University, AVI Student Ambassadors Liat Schwartz, Coby Sadeh, and other students distributed prayers for the hostages and engaged in conversations with students about Ben Mizrachi z"l, a Canadian civilian who was murdered at the hands of Hamas on Oct. 7th. Many students learned more about Ben through the campaign.

At Western University, students organized a silent vigil in honour of the victims of Oct. 7th on campus. 

AVI Student Ambassadors Shoam Kahn, Miranda Kanter, and Zach Gross join our Director of Campus Affairs at the OCAD Oct. 7 vigil

At OCAD University, AVI was proud to partner with the OCAD Jewish Club on a solemn vigil on campus today. Our Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah Snajdman joined our AVI Student Ambassadors Shoam Kahn, Miranda Kanter, and Zach Gross at the vigil.

Idaliah also recited a poem from our Never Again: Allies Speak Out poetry anthology by AVI Student Ambassador Katie Mbakulo, a student at the University of Ottawa.

When hate is disguised as scholarship, universities must draw the line.

AVI, in partnership with United Against Antisemitism (UAA) and the Canadian Women Against Antisemitism (CWAA), has issued an open letter to the University of Toronto after the Women & Gender Studies Institute promoted an event featuring speakers with histories of inflammatory rhetoric.

Academic freedom cannot mean freedom to incite hate or erase Jewish identity. U of T must uphold academic integrity, protect its students, and ensure its platforms are never used to legitimize or glorify violence.

We call on U of T to review this event, disclose its approval process, and reaffirm its commitment to neutrality, inclusion, and safety for all.

Students participate in Oct. 7th tabling at Guelph University

Finally, AVI is proud to share this Kickstarter campaign from Toronto educator and advocate Shauna Small who is working towards publishing a children's book about Jewish identity.

Please support this important initiative to ensure that Jewish stories are shared in our schools and help Shauna reach her fundraising goal!

To get a better understanding of Shauna's work, please visit her Substack and read her most recent piece, Weaponizing Children's Books, here.