Common Ground Winter Applications are NOW OPEN!

PLUS: New Statistics Canada data shows anti-Jewish, Black, and LGBT+ hatred is on the rise, AVI's call to protect places of worship, and more!

Click the above graphic to apply for Common Ground Winter!

Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) is excited to announce that our Common Ground Winter 2025/26 applications are officially open! 

Are you a Canadian college or university student looking to change the narrative on your campus? Are you interested in building coalitions and alliances with like-minded students who support Canadian values and ethics? Then join our movement of student advocates for Israel and become a Common Ground Ambassador!

This Winter, AVI students will embark on a 10-day training program in Israel where they will be introduced to Israel's robust diversity and hear from a diverse group of Israelis – Jewish, Christian, and Muslim alike – and many others who are fighting for peace and coexistence.​ ⁠

Students will then return to campus and serve as AVI Student Ambassadors, utilizing the knowledge and experiences they gained.

To apply and get excited about your Winter break plans, please click here.

Click the above still to watch the reel!

To get you into the Common Ground spirit, here is a throwback clip to our inaugural Common Ground Winter trip to Italy in Winter 2023, when Common Ground Ambassador Pe'er Krut asked fellow students what they loved most about the historical city of Rome.

To watch the reel, please click here.

To become a Common Ground Ambassador, please click here.

Click the above graphic to read our full statement!

For the second consecutive year, Canada’s Jewish, Black, and LGBT+ communities have continued to experience increasing levels of hate, according to new data from Statistics Canada.⁠

In response to these concerning statistics regarding hate crimes in Canada, AVI is calling on the enforcement of hate crime laws that protect against the glorification of terror, increased security support for vulnerable communities, and educational initiatives to counter all forms of hatred.⁠

To read our full statement, please click here.

AVI stands with the Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA)'s statement that "protecting places of worship is a national imperative"

AVI stands with The Coalition of Hindus in North America (CoHNA) in thanking Hon. Justice Minister Sean Fraser for moving forward with protective federal legislation that will criminalize intimidation or threats near places of worship and schools.

It is far past time for places of worship, schools, and community centres to be legally protected. When Christian churches are burned, Hindu temples vandalized, and Jewish synagogues face both bullets and bomb threats, it is clear that more must be done to combat discrimination and bigotry in this country.

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AVI friend Ariella Daniels (left) with AVI's Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah Snajdman (right) in Jerusalem

While in Israel, our Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah Snajdman met with Ariella Daniels, a good friend to AVI who made aliyah a few years ago after a long Israel advocacy career in Canada. Ariella was previously the Director of Community and Academic Affairs for the Consulate General of Israel in Toronto!⁠

Ariella recently completed an internship at the Knesset as a Public Diplomacy Intern for Dan Illouz, a Canadian-born member of Knesset.⁠

Idaliah and Ariella discussed ways of aligning on allyship and partnership opportunities for AVI.

Click the above graphic to read all about the humble Righteous Among the Nations who helped Austrian Jews escape into India during the Holocaust

As a Canadian organization committed to allyship, coexistence, and peace, AVI believes that a lasting resolution between Israelis and Palestinians must be built on mutual understanding and a shared commitment to non-violence.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state without addressing key concerns—such as the presence of terrorist groups, incitement to violence, lack of democratic accountability, and the need for meaningful reforms—risks undermining the path to genuine peace. It is particularly concerning that he did not make clear that Hamas – and any entities remotely similar – cannot exist in any shape or form in Gaza or elsewhere.

We hope to see a future where both peoples can live side by side in security, dignity, and mutual respect. The first step towards that would be for Hamas to release the hostages and surrender.

Click on the above graphic to watch

As part of our #AllySpotlight series, we’re highlighting some of our dear friends and allies – from Calgary, Alberta to Hebei, China, and Ukraine.

This week's #AllySpotlight focuses on how we can bridge the gap between Jewish and Asian communities. ⁠

It seems a lot of our allies find commonality in good food, and values of love, kindness, and supporting one another. As Yotam Ottolenghi put it, “Food can bring people together in a way nothing else could.”

To hear what our allies have to say about Jewish-Asian allyship, please click here. 

If you're a Vancouver resident, come out to Burrard Bridge August 24th!

The darker the times, the stronger the light of each truthful and courageous individual.

On August 24th, we are partnering with Vancouver Stands with Israel, #EndJewHatred, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver on a march and rally that will unite Canadian Zionists of all faiths and backgrounds against antisemitism and terrorism. 

Together, our Vancouver community will march for freedom, safety, and dignity. Please join us.