Empowering a delegation of university students in Israel

PLUS: Findings of campus antisemitism report unsurprising, Toronto Jewish community coming together for a WNBA game, and more!

Our delegation of university students is excited to be in Israel!

This week, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) was proud to bring a delegation of passionate university students and advocates to the Holy Land, where they have been exploring strategic locations and learning from Israelis of all backgrounds. 

Our delegation heard from experts such as Colonel (Res.) Grisha Yakubovich, Israeli advocate Eylon Levy, and many others! In Kibbutz Re’im in Sderot, the students heard from Montreal native Ya’ara, whose family is from Re’im, as she relayed her experiences as a Shinshina (pictured above).

Top: Nova Festival survivor Niv tells his story and heroic encounter with a Muslim Bedouin man who saved his and his friend's lives

Bottom: Students prepare for Shabbat dinner in Tel Aviv (Aug. 7)

At the Nova Festival site, survivor Niv told us a touching story of being saved by a Muslim Bedouin named Younis. When Hamas terrorists approached Younis, he spoke to them in Arabic while Niv and his friends hid inside his farm.

When soldiers came to their rescue eight hours later, Younis refused to come with them, saying he had 30 Thai workers on his farm to protect. It was a beautiful story of allyship and bravery across various cultures. 

Our delegation took part in a tour of Sderot led by Col (Res.) Grisha Yakubovich, who spoke about the current situation on the Gaza border, as well as Israel’s relationship to specific bordering countries like Egypt.

For more details on the first few days of the trip, please click here.

Click the above graphic to read our full statement

AVI is distraught but unfortunately unsurprised by the findings of a new major national survey of Jewish university students that was released today, and produced in collaboration with The Office of the Special Envoy and The Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA).⁠

The survey presents the experiences of Canadian-Jewish postsecondary students with all forms of antisemitism. AVI is proud of our Student Ambassadors and alumni who participated. ⁠

To read our full statement, please click here.

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Click the above to read our full message to Montreal's Jewish community

A kosher restaurant in Montreal, Noam, was destroyed in a pre-dawn fire that investigators now believe was deliberately set. A nearby commercial building on Décarie Boulevard was also left heavily damaged in the blaze.

While police have not yet made any arrests, the SPVM’s arson unit has taken over the case and is working to determine who is responsible and whether the restaurant was targeted on purpose. Early indications suggest this was not an accident.

For many in Montreal’s Jewish community, the incident is being felt as more than just another criminal investigation. The fact that a kosher establishment may have been singled out has raised deep concern about the persistence of anti-Jewish hatred in the city and what it signals about safety in everyday communal life.

Even as investigators continue their work, the fire has already left a mark – shaking a community that is increasingly alert to the reality that Jewish spaces, even those as ordinary as a restaurant, can become targets. We are praying for both the proprietors and patrons of Noam, and have no doubt that they will rebuild stronger than ever.

Read our full statement above

Violence and intimidation directed at any faith community are an attack on the values of a free and democratic society.

The recent reported attack on a Winnipeg mosque is a stark reminder that hatred cannot be ignored or excused, regardless of who it targets. Every Canadian should be able to gather, worship, and live without fear or prejudice.

An attack on a place of worship is an attack on the fundamental right to religious freedom that every Canadian deserves.

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YALLA!, Toronto Tempo, AVI, and various other organizations are proud to invite Jewish families, friends and allies from across Ontario to a meaningful evening celebrating our community and the historic arrival of the WNBA in Toronto. This inaugural Jewish Community Night is the beginning of what we hope will become an annual tradition celebrating Jewish life, community and participation in Canadian sport.

Toronto is now home to Canada’s first WNBA franchise, thanks to the vision and leadership of Canadian Jewish philanthropist and business leader Larry Tanenbaum.

At a time when Jewish institutions in our city have come under attack, including shootings and acts of arson targeting synagogues, bakeries and restaurants, it has never been more important to come together with confidence in our Jewish faith, identity and pride. We gather not simply because of the challenges we face, but because celebrating Jewish life together is itself an expression of strength.

More than 200 members of our community have already reserved their seats! Spots are limited so make sure you secure yours today. 

To buy tickets, please click here.