New Common Voices podcast features Muslim advocate Raheel Raza

PLUS: Meeting with Indigenous leaders in Toronto, Israel raises Canadian safety level alert, and highlights from our high school retreat!

Click on the above graphic to watch the new episode of AVI's 'Common Voices' podcast on YouTube!

What does real allyship look like in a world divided by hate?

In this deeply moving and courageous conversation, Common Voices host and Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren sits down with renowned Muslim human rights activist Raheel Raza to explore the true meaning of allyship, the price of standing up for what’s right, and the urgent need to bridge divides between Jewish and Muslim communities.

A practicing Muslim leader who proudly supports Israel’s right to exist, Raheel shares her personal journey, the challenges she’s faced—including threats, opposition, and isolation—and why she refuses to let fear or hate silence her voice. From her groundbreaking work with groups including Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism and Muslims Facing Tomorrow to her unwavering belief in building trust, love, and respect across communities, Raheel offers a powerful model of what it means to lead with courage and compassion.

Together, Daniel and Raheel discuss how to break out of echo chambers, why grassroots movements matter more than ever, and how Canadians—especially youth—can reclaim a future rooted in peace, understanding, and shared humanity.

To listen to the whole episode on Spotify, click here. 

Daniel Koren with Indigenous advocates from across Canada and representatives of CAEF

AVI was proud to meet with a delegation of Indigenous leaders in Toronto, in partnership with our friends at the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF) and Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem, to discuss important collaborative projects.

We were thrilled to reconnect with valued allies like Melodie Greyeyes, Director of CMJ Canada, and Grand Chief Harvey Yesno, former Chief of Eabametoong First Nation (EFN), and to build relationships with First Nations leaders from across Canada such as Reggie David Neeposh, former chief Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation in Quebec.

We have some exciting initiatives in the works, so stay tuned!

AVI High School Ambassadors receive their Certificates of Completion at our Closing Weekend Retreat in Beaverton, Ont.

Our tenacious AVI High School Ambassadors wrapped up an amazing year-long program with a Closing Weekend Retreat!⁠

From celebrating Shabbat together to late-night slushies, a chaotic mall scavenger hunt, brunch at Café Sheli, and two days at the cottage filled with activities, workshops, and our graduation — it was the perfect way to end the year.⁠

Want to be part of it next time? Applications for our high school program are open!⁠

(Left to right): AVI Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah Snajdman with Common Ground Ambassadors Liat Schwartz and Jo Joseph

Our iconic Common Ground Ambassadors Liat Schwartz at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Jo Joseph at York University had a great meeting at beloved Israeli spot Cafe Landwer with AVI Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah Snjadman. The ladies discussed some exciting plans for the upcoming school year!

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Click on the above graphic to learn about some notable Canadian Jewish Nobel Prize winners

In honour of Canadian Jewish Heritage Month in May, we at AVI continue to highlight the efforts of a few remarkable members of Canada's Jewish community. 

In the third instalment of our spotlight, we are highlighting some notable Canadian Jewish Nobel Prize winners.

Please click here to read about these legendary chemists, authors, economists, and leaders in physiology and medicine!⁠

Click on the above graphic to read about this update

The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has raised the threat level in Canada from 1 to 2 due to increased threats and intimidation targeting Jewish and Israeli Canadians.

This follows a string of recent concerning events: the heartbreaking shooting in Washington D.C., vandalism of Toronto synagogues, and violent anti-Israel agitators flown in from Amsterdam.

Despite the rising tension, over 56,000 people came together in Toronto for the annual Walk With Israel — a powerful show of unity, pride, and resilience.

It’s normal to feel afraid. But don’t let fear silence your identity.

Stay proud. Stay alert. Stay united.

Our #AmbassadorSpotlight this week is McGill student Melanie Segev

Meet this week's AVI #AmbassadorSpotlight Melanie Segev, an International Development and Gender Studies Student at McGill University, and a Common Ground Ambassador.⁠

Please read a testimonial from Melanie below:

On January 11th, 2025, my last night in Israel, I heard the mother of Liri Albag speak at the Bring Them Home Now rally. She screamed the same screams her daughter made when she was violently kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from her base on October 7th, 2023. She knows how her daughter was kidnapped because Hamas uploaded the video online. ⁠

Two weeks later, when I was back in Canada, Liri Albag had been released, along with her fellow female soldiers—Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev. ⁠

At McGill University, I find myself in an environment where students openly glorify Hamas' actions from October 7th, 2023, onward. Buildings where my daily classes are held have been destroyed by mobs for the BDS cause. It feels unsafe to be a Jewish and zionist student at McGill, as classroom discussions frequently involve an abuse of the podium, with antisemitic ideas embedded in teaching and normalized in academic discourse. ⁠

As a Common Ground Ambassador, I have the duty and the privilege to make voices like Liri Albag's and her mother's heard and to educate people about the realities of Israeli life post October 7th, 2023.

Please click here to read the entire post.

The new "Jerusalem of Derbent" complex represents healing and hope for one of the world's oldest continuous Jewish communities, led by Rabbi Ovadia Isakov.

In AVI allyship news, after an anti-Israel riot at Makahchkala airport a year ago, Muslim Extremists attacked Derbent's synagogue and burned nine Torah scrolls.⁠

In an extraordinary act of kindness, Muslim businessman Suleiman Karimov is sponsoring a beautiful synagogue complex for the community. 

The cornerstone laying ceremony was attended by Russia's Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, a close personal friend of Karimov who provided guidance throughout the planning. ⁠

The new “Jerusalem of Derbent” complex is a symbol of healing and hope for one of the world's oldest Jewish communities, led by Rabbi Ovadia Isakov. ⁠

During the ceremony, Rabbi Lazar put a letter in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, writing that despite the world changing, Jewish traditions like keeping Shabbat and eating matzah will remain forever.