READ — ‘People said I’m a traitor’: The Arabs who chose Israel
PLUS: Leading workshops in Regent Park, AVI Student Ambassador at UBC leads mock election, and more!
READ: The National Post prominently features our tour in partnerhip with Sharaka featuring a delegation of Tamer Masudin and Luai Ahmed
On behalf of all of us at Allied Voices for Israel (AVI), we are proud to share that our cross-Canada tour with Sharaka has made national headlines. The National Post ran a feature on our delegates, Luai Ahmed, Fatema Al-Harbi, and Tamer Masudin, on page 2 of Friday’s print edition, and it has been widely circulated since.
The piece opens with Luai’s story of meeting his first Jewish Israeli, a fellow student in their Swedish residence who offered to cook him Yemeni food. Raised in Yemen to see Jews as enemies, Luai assumed it was a trap. Instead, that stranger became his favourite person in the building, and the encounter changed how he saw everything he had been taught.
As the Post notes, our delegates’ stories show how real encounters with Jews and Israelis can challenge years of indoctrination. That is exactly what United We Stand: Voices for Peace set out to do, in front of thousands of Canadians in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Langley. Please read the full National Post article here.
Director of Education Gabriela Rosenblum leads “Building Understanding: Divergent Views in Regent Park” at Daniels Spectrum
Closer to home, our Director of Education, Gabriela Rosenblum, led “Building Understanding: Divergent Views in Regent Park,” a community workshop held at a cultural hub in the heart of Toronto’s Regent Park.
Regent Park is home to Canada’s oldest and largest public housing development, and one of the most diverse communities in the city. The evening brought residents from many different backgrounds together to share their perspectives, work through conflicting narratives, and practise the kind of open, respectful dialogue that builds bridges.
These are exactly the conversations we need to be having. Many of the communities we meet rarely, if ever, hear directly from Jewish Canadians. By showing up, we can help our neighbours understand who Toronto’s Jewish community is, what we’ve contributed to this city, and the rising hatred we’re facing today. For more pictures and clips of Gabriela in action, including an explanation of what a swap test is, please click here.
AVI and Hillel TMU schmooze event
Students, this one’s for you! AVI and Hillel TMU are inviting you to an epic schmooze, where we’ll talk about all the ways AVI is making an impact on campuses across Canada and how you can join our mission to unite students of all backgrounds against hatred. Snacks, activities, and great conversations await.
See you there on Oct. 28th at 3pm!
AVI Student Ambassador Etelle and Hillel BC fellow Adi lead a mock Israeli election
In Vancouver, AVI Student Ambassador Etelle and Hillel BC Fellow Adi created and led an educational presentation on Israel’s electoral process, introducing students to the country’s political system and democratic institutions.
Students then took part in an interactive mock election, using political compasses to discover where they stand and casting their votes in a simulated voting booth. Kol hakavod, Etelle and Adi, for finding such a creative, hands-on way to teach your peers about Israeli democracy!
AVI staff at the TanenbaumCHAT community service fair
Back in Toronto, Gabriela and our High School Advisor, Samantha, led a successful tabling at the TanenbaumCHAT community service fair, where they connected with many enthusiastic, aspiring student leaders eager to get involved with AVI.
AVI Israel Content Lead Ora Bar with NOVA survivor Rita Yedid
As we continue our work here in Canada, we never lose sight of why it matters. AVI alumna and Israel Content Lead Ora Bar recently released part two of her powerful conversation with Rita Yedid, a survivor of the NOVA festival massacre and an example of Jewish strength and purpose-driven resilience.
For Rita, October 7th cannot simply be erased. It has become part of who she is, and part of her determination to make sure the world never forgets. As part of her healing, she shares her testimony with groups visiting Israel and through RITA, a documentary about her experience. As she told Ora: “As much as October 7th is meaningful to me, it should never have happened.”
We will keep listening, keep remembering, and keep making space for the people who need to be heard. Watch Ora’s conversation with Rita here.
Gabriela and AVI alumna Lir at the Openly Jewish symposium at Toronto Metropolitan University
Gabriela and AVI alumna Lir also attended the Openly Jewish symposium at Toronto Metropolitan University, hosted by the TMU Jewish Alliance (TMJew) in partnership with Hillel TMU and Hillel Ontario. They learned from scholars, institutional leaders, community organizations, students, faculty, and public-sector partners.
The symposium sparked important conversations on Jewish identity, campus life, and combating anti-Jewish hatred through an academic lens. Speakers presented research and data confirming that anti-Jewish hatred in Canada is on the rise, along with what academics, educators, students, allies, and community members can do about it together. For more pictures and clips from the symposium, please click here.
To RSVP or request further information, contact the office of Pastor John Ward at (647)-612-1113
The Word of Faith International Christian Centre is hosting a very special Night to Honor Israel on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. AVI is proud to be one of the partners on this evening, and AVI's Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren will be speaking!
The church is inviting the Consul General of Israel in Toronto and Western Canada, Nadav, Zysvlat, as the distinguished guest for this occasion.
This special evening will bring together Christian and Jewish leaders, community organizations, and friends of Israel in a spirit of unity, friendship, and solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people - a beacon of hope at a time when anti-Jewish hatred continues to be a serious concern in our communities.
To register your attendance or request further information, contact the office of Pastor John Ward at (647)-612-1113.
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