REGISTER: A conversation on combating anti-Jewish hatred in mainstream media

Join us for an important discussion in partnership with Upstanders Canada in Vancouver and Ottawa 

Click the above flyer to register for our Vancouver event with Upstanders Canada, National Post editor-in-chief Rob Roberts, and journalist Dave Gordon

First, on behalf of Allied Voices for Israel (AVI), we want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! We hope you are getting pampered and enjoying the special day you deserve.

Second, AVI is thrilled to share that we are collaborating with Upstanders Canada, an allyship organization that mobilizes Canadians to stand with Jewish people and Israel, on two live events in Vancouver and Ottawa!⁠

The events, titled Media Bias: How Media Has Mainstreamed Antisemitism ... And What to do About It⁠ will feature both Rob Roberts, editor-in-chief of the National Post, in conversation with journalist and writer Dave Gordon. ⁠

Our Vancouver stop on Sunday, May 24th at 2:30 p.m. will feature a contextualizing introduction by Janet Dirks, a retired CTV National News reporter who spent six months reporting from Jerusalem. Pat Johnson, President of Upstanders Canada, will welcome the audience and discuss the organization's work, and our AVI Student Ambassadors will also take the stage to share their firsthand experiences on campus.

To register for our Vancouver program, please click here.

Click the above flyer to register for our Ottawa event with Upstanders Canada, National Post editor-in-chief Rob Roberts, and journalist Dave Gordon

Then, for our Ottawa event on Tuesday, May 26th at 7 p.m., Johnson will open the evening with a look at the vital advocacy work of Upstanders Canada. You will also hear directly from our AVI Student Ambassadors about what they are experiencing on the ground.

We are incredibly proud to bring this program to the capital alongside Upstanders Canada and our wonderful friends at Hillel Ottawa.

To register for our Ottawa program, please click here.

(Left to right): Our AVI alumni Moshe, Samuel, Eva, Mishel, and others attend Mesiba Montreal, where they celebrated Israeli independence 

Our incredible AVI alumni recently reunited at Mesiba MTL 2026 – a bash organized in partnership with AVI, Hillel Montreal, StartUp Nation, StandWithUs Canada, and over a dozen other partner organizations. 

Together we celebrated Israel's independence with Montreal's Jewish community and allies. It was an unforgettable night filled with joy, unity, pride, and so much Israeli spirit. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! Am Yisrael Chai.

For more photos by Ryan Blau Photography, please click here.

Out Common Roots Ambassadors hard at work at AVI HQ

Last week, our Common Roots High School Ambassadors stopped by our office to write and film messages of support and solidarity for Israeli high school students. The heartwarming activity made them feel closer to their Israeli peers, reminding them that we are all in this fight together and that they have a global family behind them.

To see some of the messages they wrote, please click here.

Click the above flyer to register for our upcoming Common Roots cohort; click the bottom graphic for a sneak peak of what the program offers!

Speaking of high school, applications for our Common Roots Ambassadorship for high school students ARE NOW OPEN!

We offer a wide range of ways for students to get involved, from social media campaigns and writing op-eds, to creating events, volunteer opportunities, and so much more!⁠ 

• For Grades 8-12

• Runs October to May⁠

• Open to students of all backgrounds & religions⁠

• Monthly webinars with awesome speakers⁠

To learn more and become a Common Roots Ambassador, please click here. 

Donate Now

AVI's Director of Quebec and Atlantic Canada Noa Peretz Benchaya with our amazing Daflen Fellows

Director of Quebec and Atlantic Canada Noa Peretz Benchaya led our Drop Your Sides workshop with Federation CJA's Dalfen Fellowship high school students this week!

Dozens of Montreal high school students had a blast with interactive activities that encouraged them to check their prejudices at the door and be more open to learning about different perspectives.

Click the above graphic to learn more about Esther Brandeau – Canada's first Jewish woman!

Did you know the first Jewish person in Canada was a woman? 

In honour of Jewish Heritage Month this May, we are uncovering the gritty, surprising, and often forgotten “receipts” of Jewish history in Canada.⁠ We’re kicking things off in 1738 with Esther Brandeau.⁠

At just 20 years old, Esther spent five years wandering the world in disguise before crossing the Atlantic as a boy named “Jacques La Fargue” to reach the shores of Quebec. But her arrival sparked a legal crisis. At the time, New France was strictly Catholic, and being Jewish was a crime. When her real identity was discovered, the authorities gave her an ultimatum: renounce your faith to stay, or remain Jewish and be exiled.⁠

Esther didn’t flinch. For an entire year, she resisted intense pressure from the highest officials in the land. They offered her a home, but only if she left her identity at the door.⁠

She chose her heritage.⁠

To learn more about Esther Brandeau, please click here.

⁠Click the above photo to see snippets from our most recent Common Ground Israel trip

⁠In anticipation of our upcoming Common Ground Italy program – our largest cohort yet –- we are reminiscing on our most recent Common Ground trip to Israel, where our students visited strategic locations throughout the country, learning about the geopolitical situation on the ground, allyship, leadership, and so much more.

Stay tuned for Italy footage, coming your way May 31st, when our next cohort of Student Ambassadors embark on their Common Ground adventure.

For photos of our most recent trip, please click here.