Christian, Jewish, and Muslim students at Guelph speak out against hatred

PLUS: International Holocaust Remembrance Day at Mount Royal University, introducing students to Rudy Rochman in Vancouver, and more!

Click the above graphic to read statements from AVI Student Ambassadors at the University of Guelph

Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) is standing with three courageous University of Guelph students who are speaking out against a discriminatory incident at Aggie’s Pub, where some attendees wore shirts displaying racist, anti-Jewish, and homophobic symbols. ⁠

We acknowledge the university’s condemnation of the incident and its steps to address the situation through policy enforcement and law-enforcement resources. It is clear, however, that more must be done to curtail the rise of hateful rhetoric spreading across campus. ⁠

We encourage you to read statements from three of our AVI Student Ambassadors – one Jewish, one Christian, and one Muslim – in rejecting such hatred at the University of Guelph.

To read their statements, please click here. 

(Left to right): AVI Students Arielle, Noa, Emerson, Alberta Campus Advisor & Advocacy Associate Jean-Luc, AVI Students Delano and Lary

AVI Student Ambassadors at Mount Royal University Arielle, Noa, Emerson, Delano, and Lary joined our Alberta Campus Advisor Jean-Luc last week to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day on campus.⁠

MRU came together as a student community to remember, learn, and reflect on one of the most devastating periods in history and its enduring connection to our city.⁠

Thank you to Calgary Hillel, Calgary Jewish Federation, and StandWithUs Canada, for partnering with us on this important tribute.⁠

To see more pictures and hear an excerpt from Noa's powerful speech, please click here.

Click the above graphic to read the full article

Arielle, a brave AVI Student Ambassador at MRU, was recently interviewed by The Hub Canada about the reality of anti-Jewish hatred on university campuses today.

In the interview, Arielle shared a harrowing experience in which she and other Jewish students were forced to escape through a loading dock to avoid angry protestors. As they fled, two protestors shouted that their families “deserved what they got” and that “all Jews are liars.”

This is not debate. This is not activism. This is hatred.

Arielle’s courage in speaking out is a reminder of why Jewish students deserve safety, dignity, and belonging on campus and everywhere. Silence only enables abuse. Speaking up is how we protect each other.

To read Jews are scared of being Jewish on campus. Here’s how universities are responding from The Hub Canada, please click here.

Our BC Students met courageous Israel Advocate Rudy Rochman!

We had an incredible night of dialogue and connection in Vancouver with Rudy Rochman (Judaism: A People Beyond Borders) and Common Ground Ambassadors Sara, Brandon, and Malcom.

⁠Rudy, reflected on identity, belonging, and peoplehood beyond the labels and assumptions that often shape public discourse. Through stories drawn from lived experience across continents and communities, he invited the audience to think more deeply about what it means to be part of the Jewish people today.⁠

AVI was proud to collaborate with StandWithUs Canada, Hacker Communications, and the Jewish Business Network on this program. ⁠

Conversations like these remind us why building understanding across communities matters.

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(Left to right): CJPAC's Associate Director of Events Jared, AVI's Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah, Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael, and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto's Senior Manager Sam

AVI was proud to serve as a partner organization on bringing Diplomat Michael Ratney – former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia – to speak with students in Toronto this week.

Ratney spoke about Israel, the region, and global leadership in an intimate setting where open and productive dialogue flourished.⁠

A huge thank you to UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and UJA Connect, IPF Atid, as well as the many promotional partners who made this a reality.

To see more footage, please click here.

Click the above still to watch a short and sweet reel summarizing our Common Ground Niagara retreat! 

In our previous blog, we mentioned that we recently had the privilege of bringing together a dozen students from university campuses across Canada for a transformative experience in Niagara Falls. ⁠

⁠The educational retreat was focused on allyship, Israel advocacy, and coalition-building and offered these students the opportunity to hone their advocacy and leadership skills.⁠

To watch a short and sweet reel summarizing the meaningful weekend, please click here. 

To read more about the retreat on our blog, please click here. 

Click the above flyer to register!

Our incredible Director of Education Gabriela has added yet another workshop on her two-week tour in scenic British Columbia!

On Sunday, February 8th at 7pm PST in Victoria, BC (location sent upon registration), Gabriela will give a presentation on the nuances of language, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island. 

When engaging in discourse about the Arab-Israeli conflict or generalizations about the Jewish people, the language you choose has many implications. In this workshop, Gabriela will highlight the need for seeing the individual, actively listening to their perspective, and consciously choosing an appropriate response.⁠

This presentation integrates psychological concepts to explore these implications, equipping participants to engage in varied environments and build bridges across divides.⁠

To register for this important conversation on the art of conversations, please click here. 

Click the above still to read the latest from AVI friend Winston on his Substack!

AVI friend and community leader Winston Siegel has created an incredible new Substack for all things Israel called Israel-is-Incredible.

In his latest publication, Winston writes about Israel's designation as a top-tier global training ground for First Responders, why investing in Israeli tech is always a good idea, the importance of visiting the breathtaking Baháʼí Gardens of Haifa, and so much more!

To read the latest positive Israel news and subscribe to Winston's Substack, please click here.