Allies at Concordia, Western, U of T, and McGill speak out, AVI OCAD student gets his artwork published, Shye Klein comes to McMaster, and more!
Our student allies at Concordia University condemned the rampant antisemitism and vandalism on campus
Earlier this month, Concordia University was vandalized by violent pro-Hamas protesters during anti-Israel rallies on campus and around Montreal. Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) has communicated to Concordia administrators that it has a responsibility to keep students safe, especially during these trying times.
Four individuals, all in their 20s, were arrested for criminal mischief. Montreal mayor Valérie Plante and other elected officials condemned the vandalism and said it was “unacceptable.”
On campus, several allies involved with our organization spoke out against the antisemitic nature of the rally.
“As a Concordia student and a Hindu, I find myself feeling suffocated by the recent events on campus, and I can only imagine how my Jewish friends must be feeling. I deeply empathize with their fears and concerns, especially in light of the violence and hatred that have surfaced following the events of October 7th,” said Gopal Jain, a student at Concordia.
“As a Hindu student from India, living far from home, the recent events at Concordia have left me deeply shaken. Yesterday's act of vandalism, supported and celebrated by SPHR Concordia, where individuals who sympathize with terror groups like Hamas shattered the windows of the Hall Building and defaced the campus with antisemitic slurs, has created an atmosphere of fear,” added Concordia student Abhinav Deshwar.
Please click here for their full statements.
Please click the above graphic to read the Western Gazette piece quoting AVI Common Ground Ambassadors Robbie Schwartz and Charlie Larock
On Oct. 7th, 2024, AVI Common Ground Ambassadors Charlie Larock and Robbie Schwartz attended Western University's memorial, where they were interviewed by the Western Gazette.
“As a Jewish person, it's very upsetting to see my community mourn the deaths of so many people. I just believe that there really shouldn't be this type of violence in the world these days,” said Robbie.
Charlie said it was his visit to Israel with AVI this summer that “inspired him to attend the event as an ally” to the Jewish People.
“After coming back [from Israel], I've had a lot of time to reflect and learn, and I've realized that these people are going through a lot. They need the support,” he said.
To read the full piece, please click here.

AVI Executive Director Daniel Koren spoke to Song Shul congregants on the importance of allyship and Israel advocacy on campus
AVI spoke at three synagogues in Toronto on five separate occasions over the chagim, teaching Jewish youth about allyship and Jewish indigeneity to Israel.
Our Founder & Executive Director Daniel Koren spoke at Song Shul about AVI's work on campus, our Senior Campus Advisor Idaliah Snajdman engaged high school students at Beth Tikvah Congregation about Jewish indigeneity to Israel and combating antisemitism, and our Allyship Advisor Justin Chow spoke with students at Beth Tikvah and Holy Blossom about the importance of allyship.
Click the above image to watch AVI Allyship Committee Member Reza Azarpoor's impassioned speech on Jewish-Iranian unity
At the Unity Vigil at McGill University hosted by Federation CJA on Oct. 7th, our AVI Allyship Committee Member and proud Iranian ally Reza Azarpoor delivered a powerful speech on the shared struggle both Iranians and Israelis face by being subjected to tyranny and evil, and our collective responsibility to stand together and advocate for freedom and unity.
In Reza's words: “Long live Israel, and long live the free people of Iran!”
To watch Reza's speech, please click here.
Members of JLSA, including AVI Common Ground Ambassador Samuel Benzaquen (second from left), and East Coast Campus Advisor Noa Peretz Benchaya
Also at McGill on Oct. 7th, East Coast Campus Advisor Noa Peretz Benchaya had the honour of tabling with the Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA) at McGill, in commemoration of innocent lives lost and the hostages taken on October 7th, 2023.
Students handed out commemoration kits with a candle, a Psalm prayer, a JLSA wish for McGill, and the story of an individual murdered on that terrible day.
They also featured a poster of a Kotel, where students wrote anonymous messages of peace to their colleagues on campus, promoting unity and solidarity at the school during this time of grief.
To see the rest of their amazing setup that day, please click here.
Last week, we handed out the first printed copies of the White and Blue, featuring Common Ground Ambassador and OCAD student Zach Gross' artwork on the front cover!
Kudos to our talented Common Ground Ambassador and OCAD student Zach Gross, who got his illustration published on the front cover of the first printed publication of The White and Blue paper, commemorating a year since the most horrific day in modern Jewish history since the Holocaust.
“The cover of our first ever printed issue of The White and Blue commemorates those we wish were with us today. Those who have seen only darkness for 365 days. Those who should have been celebrating the new year with us. Those whose absence feels like a hole in the heart,” writes the publication on its Instagram page.
To see Zach's moving illustration up close, please click here.
Nova Music Festival Survivor Shye Klein gave a presentation at McMaster University last week
In partnership with Hillel at McMaster and StandWithUs Canada, AVI brought Nova Festival Survivor Shye Klein to McMaster University last week to share his story with students on campus.
Click the above graphic to read more
AVI is pleased that the Government of Canada has finally listed the hateful organization Samidoun as a terrorist entity in Canada.
As a now-listed entity, Samidoun meets the definition of a “terrorist group” under Canada’s Criminal Code. The Criminal Code prohibits certain actions in relation to terrorist groups, including those related to terrorist financing, travel and recruitment.
On campuses such as York University, anti-Israel student clubs have publicly affiliated with Samidoun and have even hosted fundraisers in support of the organization – despite demands from campus groups that such activity should not be permitted on campus.
University administrations must make clear that there is a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the glorification of terrorism and support for terrorist entities on campus – whether they are Hamas, Hezbollah, or Samidoun.
AVI is urging administrations to ensure that any student clubs or professors who are publicly supporting Samidoun are investigated immediately.
To read our full statement on Samidoun, please click here.
Click the above link to purchase tickets to see Yoseph Haddad in your city!
Presented by Allied Voices for Israel and generously sponsored by Israeli Mall & Dr. Steven Stein, you are invited to United We Stand: An Evening with Yoseph Haddad in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver!
As the CEO of the Together Vouch for Each Other organization, Yoseph Haddad works tirelessly to connect Arab-Israeli communities with the broader Israeli society. His remarkable journey, including his service in the Israel Defense Forces and his commitment to social activism, makes him a powerful voice for understanding and dialogue.
Yoseph will be speaking on the following dates:
🏙️Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
🏙️Toronto on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024
🏙️Calgary on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
🏙️Vancouver on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024
All tickets and sponsorships will receive a full charitable tax receipt. Please click here to purchase your ticket. Venues will be shared closer to the event dates.
Finally, AVI would like to wish a happy and meaningful Sukkot to all who are celebrating. Chag Sukkot Sameach!
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