Uniting students during the Israel-Iran conflict

PLUS: Strong Iranian ally speaks out in support of Israel, AVI Student creates awareness on the history of Iranian-Jewish allyship, and more!

Click on the above photo to watch a recap of our Dutch Dreams ice cream date with our Toronto Student Ambassadors!

In such a tense and unpredictable time and with the war affecting millions of our brothers and sisters in Israel, we wanted to let our students know that they have a safe haven of support and solidarity, and what better way to get this point across than through ice cream? 

This week, in both Toronto and Calgary, our Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) staff took our Student Ambassadors on an emotional support ice cream date. In Toronto, we visited the iconic, Jewish-owned Dutch Dreams ice cream shop, where they played Israeli music and our students had a safe space to discuss and vent. 

For a recap of our Toronto ice cream outing, please click here.

West Coast Campus Advisor Jean-Luc Mudingayi took our Calgary Student Ambassadors for ice cream on Tuesday

In Calgary, a few of our West Coast AVI Student Ambassadors went to the city's famous Peter’s Drive-In for emotional support ice cream (and their iconic milkshakes). 

It is amazing to know that even in times of fear and uncertainty, we are not alone.

Make sure you create some time this weekend to check on your friends and create safe spaces for conversation and connection (over a pint of ice cream helps, trust us).

Click on the above still to watch Avideh's message

A devoted ally to Canada's Jewish community, AVI was proud to collaborate with Avideh Raphaela Motmaenfar, President of the Council of Iranian Canadians, as she delivered a powerful message of solidarity – at a time when both Israelis and Iranians need it most.

“I want to take this moment to express my gratitude to Israel. Our people share a bond that spans thousands of years, a bond built on mutual understanding and support,” says Avideh in her address. 

“Our unwavering commitment to standing with each other during these challenging times is a powerful reminder of our shared aspirations for freedom and democracy.”

To watch this uplifting video, please click here. 

Click on the above graphic to read all about the ancient connection between Jews and Iranians

Did you know that the history of allyship between Jews and Iranians goes back thousands of years? From King Cyrus freeing the Jews from exile to the story of Purim in ancient Iran, Iranian-Jewish friendship has deep roots.

Our AVI Common Ground Ambassador and AVI/HonestReporting Canada Campus Media Fellow Michael Mandel, a student at York University, put together an informative and digestible post outlining the historical connection and allyship between Jews and Iranians. 

To read, please click here. 

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Vancouver City Councillor Lenny Zhou (left) and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal's new Director of Western Canada Jaime Stein (right) holding copies of the AVI 2024 Impact Report

AVI's Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren recently met with Vancouver City's Councillor Lenny Zhou to chat about allyship, combating hatred and antisemitism in Vancouver, and AVI's ongoing programs and initiatives.

Daniel also met with Jamie Stein, the new Director, Western Canada for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center. They had a wonderful chat to strengthen their collective efforts and highlight the important collaboration happening in our community.

Click the above graphic to read the full piece

Mohammed Rizwan, director of Toronto-based Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism (CMAA), recently wrote a powerful piece in the National Post about his experiences in Israel as a Muslim, and how much they differed from the biased media accounts he had consumed his whole life.⁠

“People around the world see Israel through their television screens and in context of a 75-year-old conflict, territorial disputes, and the Palestinian question. For most of the world, this is the only lens they hold to look at Israel. Depending on where you live in the world, and what world outlook you grew up with, one essentially looks at Israel through a geo-political binary,” writes Rizwan.⁠

“I think this is not the only way to look at the history and national character of a country. But to look at Israel differently has a prerequisite: leave your preconceived notions out of the bubble you currently live in, get to know the country first-hand, wear the hat of tolerance and love for all faiths, and then try and see the Israel story.”⁠ 

To read Mohammed Rizwan: What I, a Muslim, did not know about Israel, please click here. 

Click the above graphic to see an excerpt of our podcast episode with Ashley Waxman Bakshi

In Episode 3 of Common Voices, beauty influencer turned Israel Advocate and counterterrorism expert Ashley Waxman Bakshi (@ashleywaxmanbakshi) discusses the shift in attitudes towards Israel post October 7th, as well as her own personal journey into battling antisemitism and misinformation.

“October 7th was proof to me how loyal the Muslim-Arab population in Israel is,” says Ashley.

To listen to Episode 3: What Canadians Need to Know About Israel, please click here. 

To watch the episode on Youtube, please click here.

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Click on the above flyer to register

As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, Prosserman JCC has put together an urgent and timely Town Hall to help make sense of what’s happening and AVI is proud to be a partner alongside the Israel Engagement department of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and Beyond the Echoes.

The event will feature Jonathan Conricus, Senior Fellow at FDD & Co-Founder, BottomLine Media (Live from Israel)⁠, Kaveh Shahrooz, Human Rights Lawyer, Iranian Justice Collective, and other panelists.

🗓 Town Hall: Understanding Israel, Iran & The Moment We’re In

📍 Leah Posluns Theatre | Monday, June 23 | 7:30 PM⁠

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🎟 Tickets: $18.00 – Extremely limited availability⁠

To register, please click here.