READ: McGill appeases menace in The Suburban
- Allied Voices for Israel (AVI)
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
PLUS: Indigenous leader speaks out for Israel, AVI Founder appears on IFCJ's Biblical Roots podcast, and more!
Click on the above graphic to read the full piece
Every time one of our students is published in the media, it gives them the opportunity to take a moral and principled stance on something they believe in – and make sure their voices are heard.
This is particularly true with the students in our Campus Media Fellowship in partnership with HonestReporting Canada. We are proud of McGill University student Leah Mamane, whose brilliant op-ed and scathing critique of McGill administrators was recently published in Montreal's The Suburban newspaper.
“The objective and factual beauty of academia has been tainted with politics. The university setting should not be a soap box for everyone to preach their political views, especially when it is hateful towards fellow students,” writes Leah.
“Furthermore, this activism should most certainly not infringe on the reliability of education.”
To read “McGill appeases menace,” please click here.
Click on the above still to watch
“We’ve experienced similar things in our struggles with the colonizers…”
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno, former Chief of Eabametoong First Nation and Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, reflects on the shared struggles of Indigenous peoples—including the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland of Israel.
This video is the second in our Indigenous Heritage Month series, created in partnership with the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF) and Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem (IEJ).
To watch Harvey's powerful message on unity and support of Israel, please click here.
Click on the above graphic to listen to the full episode!
An Israeli and a Canadian. A former journalist and a current shaper of the next generation.
Our Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren sat down with Yael Eckstein, President of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada (IFCJ) and host of the Nourish Your Biblical Roots podcast, to discuss what we all can do to be advocates for Israel and spread its light to the nations.
To listen to this important conversation on fighting hate and spreading light as advocates for Israel, please click here.
Our Vancouver students from grades 6-12 had a blast at Playland!
On Sunday, Vancouver students from grades 6-12 got together to have lots of fun at a Playland trip hosted by Vancouver USY and Kadimah. Our West Coast staff were happy to take part!
The day started with a quick Ice Breaker activity and then split up in groups to go on different rides in the park.
Click the above still to watch the full video!
As we gear up for our upcoming Israel trip to empower a new delegation of students to serve as Common Ground Ambassadors on a dozen university campuses across Canada, we want to share what some of our students said is their favourite thing about Israel (Shoko basakit anyone?).
What’s your favourite thing about Israel? To watch the full video and get inspired, please click here.
AVI extends its deepest condolences to the families of Judith Weinstein and Gadi Haggai
The bodies of Judith Weinstein and Gadi Haggai, abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th, have after almost two years, been recovered and returned to Israel.
Judith, a Canadian-Israeli peace activist and educator, was the last remaining Canadian hostage held by Hamas. Gadi, a beloved musician who had recently suffered a stroke, was her partner in life and in hope.
Their murder in captivity is a heartbreaking reminder of the cruelty of October 7 and the ongoing trauma faced by so many.
The entire Allied Voices for Israel team mourn their loss. We honour their lives, and remain committed to bringing every hostage home.
May their memories forever be a blessing.
Click on the graphic to register for the event!
Tonight, AVI is hosting Shalom Namaste: An Evening of Yoga & Mindfulness—a powerful opportunity to bring together like-minded Canadians for connection, reflection, and peace in the wake of October 7.
This unique evening will feature a diverse lineup of instructors offering something for everyone—from restorative to high-energy movement:
Yana Schekoldin will guide participants through calming Restorative Yoga, set to the healing sounds of crystal bowls by Rhonda from Mindfulness and the Lotus;
Randi Bergman will lead an energizing Power Yoga session;
Neeva, owner of She Pilates and Yoga and one of our proud sponsors, will bring her signature strength-meets-serenity style;
Plus, a special Laughing Yoga experience led by the Canadian Organization of Hindu Heritage Education (CoHHE) will help us all breathe a little easier.
Guests will also enjoy a fresh juice bar, light kosher fare, and meaningful conversation, all in a space designed to nourish both body and spirit.
In moments of challenge and grief, AVI remains committed to building community through creativity, compassion, and solidarity.
Our #AmbassadorSpotlight this week is University of Victoria student Orion Wind-Granot
Our #Ambassador Spotlight this week is Orian Wind-Granot, a psychology student at the University of Victoria and a Common Ground Ambassador. Please read a testimonial on Orion's experience with AVI in Israel earlier this year.
Israel sits heavy at the forefront of every Jew’s mind and heart. For me, it’s always been a beacon of resilience, truth, innovation, and pride. Seeing it through the lens AVI lent me has given it new life in my eyes. The two weeks I spent listening, seeing, learning, and experiencing have been incredibly humbling, eye-opening, and reassuring.
I joined a cohort of 19 students from across Canada, each one blossoming with passion and knowledge, and with them, had the privilege of hearing from a variety of Israeli residents, including a Palestinian, Arab Israelis, imams, an IDF soldier, a member of the Knesset, a Nova festival survivor, representatives at Save A Child’s Heart, the founder of the Shiloh Children’s Trauma Foundation, immigrants, and multi-generational locals.
To read Orion's beautiful statement in full, please click here.
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