Moderating panel on Chinese and Jewish perspectives

PLUS: AVI Alumna Ora Bar celebrates diversity at Tel Aviv Pride, AVI Student Ambassador responds to hateful graffiti, and more!

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

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

Daniel asked the panelists questions about their personal stories of connecting wth the Jewish community and fighting anti-Jewish hatred; some meaningful historical or contemporary examples of Chinese-Jewish allyship that we can look to as a blueprint for working together today; how our communities better collaborate to raise awareness about the distinct challenges each face; what steps we need to take to build a better future together; and so much more.

Overall, it was an enriching discussion that really drove home the importance of mutual cooperation and allyship.

Click the above still to watch!

Pride Month drives home what Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) is all about – celebrating diversity and the power of individual expression and coexistence.

During Tel Aviv Pride this past week, our Israel Content Lead and AVI Alumna Ora Bar took to the colourful boardwalks of Tel Aviv Beach to ask locals if they’re gay or straight…and the answers may surprise you!

This fun trend drives home an important message – one that encapsulates the spirit of pride and the ethos upon which the nation of Israel stands – that regardless of whether we are queer or straight, Arab or Israeli, right wing or left wing, we are all united by a desire to connect to those around us and by our shared humanity.

Our unique expression and diversity should be the very thing that unites us – it should be the driving force behind our desire to empathize and connect with one another’s stories.

Let’s learn from one another and come closer because of our differences, not in spite of them. Happy pride!

To watch the video, please click here. 

Click the above still to watch

In Florence, during our recent Common Ground Italy program, Common Ground Ambassador and McGill University student Justice encountered a hateful stain upon a public mural depicting a colourful school of fish. One of the fish donned the colours of the Palestinian swag with a swastika and the words “Palestina Libre” haphazardly scrawled underneath it.

Being the bold leader that he is, Justice and our Communications Associate Sharon filmed a video response to this hateful and racist graffiti. Justice concludes his speech with a powerful statement – pasting an AVI “Find Your Common Ground” sticker over the swastika. 

“We are in a country that fought Nazism and fought Fascism to establish a liberal democracy,” says Justice. “And yet, in the midst of this, we see radical propaganda in an attempt to destroy the liberal values of this country.”

⁠To listen to Justice's powerful speech, please click here. 

Click the above still to watch Common Ground Ambassador Wutao's highlight from our visit to Vatican City on Common Ground Italy

Stepping into Vatican City, surrounded by some of the world’s most iconic works of art, reminded us that history, faith, and identity are often told through images as much as words.

During our Common Ground Italy journey with Allied Voices for Israel, McGill University student and Common Ground Ambassador, Wutao, shared his reflections on the meaning behind the masterpieces that fill the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Bearing witness to Michelangelo’s famous depiction of the creation of Adam, we explored not only the artistic brilliance of the work, but also the deeper questions it raises about humanity, spirituality, and our relationship with the Divine.

Being a religious studies major, the deeper analysis of these famous paintings informed Wutao’s own understanding of the artist’s relationship to the Catholic Church and its connection to the Torah.

One of the goals of Common Ground is to bring together students from diverse backgrounds to engage with history, culture, and faith through meaningful dialogue. Experiences like these challenge us to look beyond the surface, understand the stories and symbolism behind what we see, and learn from one another’s perspectives.

In a place visited by millions each year, we were reminded that great works of art have the power to spark conversation across cultures, religions, and generations.

To watch Wutao's take on Vatican City, please click here.

Click the above graphic to read

Common Ground Ambassador Jacqueline was so inspired by our recent trip to Italy that she made an informative post on her advocacy page (@judaismwithjacqueline), reviewing all of the Jewish sites and connections she explored in Italy. 

“Thank you Allied Voices for Israel for such an incredible experience. I am so excited to bring what I learned back to campus this upcoming school year!” writes Jacqueline.

To explore Jewish Italy with Jacqueline, please click here. 

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Click the above graphic to learn about Israel's relationship to the diaspora

Right in time for the Fifa World Cup, which celebrates diversity, unity, and allyship through the beloved game of soccer, Common Roots Ambassador Gavriel put his graphic design skills to good use by turning our Shalom, Salaam, Privyet campaign into a carousel post exploring Israel's connections to countries and cultures all over the world. ⁠

Israel is not only shaped by its own culture, but also by its global partnerships and diverse Jewish communities. 

To see Gavriel's post, please click here. 

Happy Italian heritage month from AVI!

This month, we are proud to celebrate the incredible vibrant contributions of the Canadian-Italian community, whose rich culture, history, and values enrich our country every single day.⁠

At AVI, our connection to Italy runs deep due to our work with First Nations leaders and communities that express the importance of understanding indigeneity. We just wrapped up our Common Ground student leadership trip to Italy, where our ambassadors explored the ancient, resilient roots of Jewish history in Europe. From seeing the Arch of Titus – an archaeological testament to Jewish indigeneity to Israel – to learning about centuries of shared history, our students saw firsthand how deeply connected our stories are.⁠

We are so grateful for the enduring bonds of friendship, allyship, and shared values between the Jewish and Italian communities right here in Canada. Cento di questi giorni!

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.