Upcoming campus events honouring victims of Oct. 7

October 7th vigils are taking place at campuses across Canada

Click the above graphic to register

As the leaves begin to change colours, it is difficult to believe that we are coming onto two years since the devastating October 7th attacks turned our collective consciousness upside-down. A brutal and sadistic act of evil that left 1,200 dead and hundreds more kidnapped into Gaza. Many still remain.

The attacks also led to the Israel-Hamas war and an unprecedented onslaught of anti-Jewish hatred, discrimination, and violence all over the world. This phenomenon has been particularly pronounced on college and university campuses, a heart-wrenching reminder that our battle against anti-Jewish hatred is far from over. 

To honour the victims of Oct. 7 and call for a return of the hostages, Canadian students are hosting a myriad of tributes and events on campuses across the country.

At OCAD University, on Thursday, October 9th, please join the OCAD Jewish Club and Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) for a candle-lighting ceremony and lunch as we come together to remember, reflect, and honour the memories of the victims, as well as pray for the swift release of all the hostages. 

To register, please click here.

All Montreal residents are welcome to pay their respects

For students at Concordia University, McGill University, and the University of Montreal, AVI is a proud partner alongside several campus organizations to host a campus-wide vigil on Monday, October 6th in memory of the victims of October 7th and to pray for those still held hostage. Location to be announced closer to the date.

AVI Student Ambassadors are also planning or hosting vigils at Mount Royal University, University of British Columbia, Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University, University of Guelph, York University, McMaster University, University of Calgary, and other campuses.

Click the above photo to watch a recap of this inspiring evening

Over 250 community members attended the in-person launch Thursday of Never Again: Allies Speak Out Against Antisemitism – a collection of powerful voices, stories, and allyship in the face of rising antisemitism. Several AVI students, alumni, and stakeholders contributed to the anthology.

In a time when silence is not an option, “never again” resounds louder than ever before. We were proud to partner with the incredible editor and curator Sharon Zohar on this initiative.

Attendees ate delicious bites from Romi’s and Tov-Li, bought copies of both anthologies, and listened to some of the talented authors read their moving compositions, as well as a panel of brave allies: human rights advocate Raheel Raza, Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford, and journalist and commentator Warren Kinsella. 

If you were unable to attend, please purchase your copy here.

To see a recap of this incredible and inspiring evening, please click here.

Click the above still to watch the full interview

Montreal journalist and City Councillor Mike Cohen is widely recognized for his coverage of the city’s Jewish community.

This week, he sat down with our Director of Quebec and Atlantic Canada Noa Peretz Benchaya and AVI's Founder and Executive Director Daniel Koren to learn more about AVI's mission and Noa's experience serving on the campus front.

To watch the full interview, please click here.

Donate Now

AVI Founder Daniel Koren (left) and Calgary Heritage MP Shuvaloy Majumdar

AVI Founder Daniel Koren met with Calgary Heritage MP Shuvaloy Majumdar to discuss ways to strengthen advocacy on campus, stand united against extremism, and fight for truth, freedom, and human dignity.

Thank you Shuv, for being such a fearless leader and ally for Calgary's Jewish community!

Allyship Advisor Abhinav Deshwar (left) at Dharmacon 2025

AVI Allyship Advisor Abhinav Deshwar connected with MP Shuv Majumdar this weekend at Dharmacon 2025, the largest youth conference for young Hindu leaders in Canada, hosted by the Canadian National Council of Hindus (CNCH) in Etobicoke. 

During the event, Abhinav also engaged with students from campuses across the country about AVI's workshops and programs on campus. ⁠

To see more pictures from Dharmacon 2025, please click here.

Click the above photo to hear from AVI Student Ambassador Lotan Wider

In a new video, AVI Student Ambassador and York University student Lotan Wider promotes awareness of a recent incident that took place on campus that he says was an attempt to “provoke and intimidate” the Jewish community during clubs week.

To watch how he and other members of the AVI community responded to the incident, please click here.

Join AVI and Hillel York for a pizza party - tomorrow at noon!

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 30), join us and Hillel at York University for a pizza party! 

Come to the lounge at noon to learn about the Common Ground Ambassadorship as well as other opportunities through AVI.