WATCH: AVI Student who flew Flydubai this summer speaks out after hijack attempt
PLUS: Sukkot festivities on campuses across Canada, AVI joins Indigenous leaders to call for more transparency, and more!
Click the above still for AVI Student Ambassador Theron's full statement
This week's hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight heading to Tel Aviv has us feeling grateful and in awe of the heroism and quick thinking of the flight's crew and passengers, as they fought back, regained control, and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. But despite this miraculous save with zero casualties, we are also saddened at the plight Jews all over the world are facing at the hands of radical Islamism, terrorism, and hatred.
Carleton University student and Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) Student Ambassador Theron shares this sentiment. This Summer, he joined AVI and Montreal's Israeli Consulate on an incredible trip of Jewish and Christian students in Israel.
Having taken the same flight to Israel as the one that was subject to the recent attempted hijacking, Theron felt deeply affected and compelled to speak out.
“I unequivocally condemn this attack on Israel and the Jewish people,” says Theron. “[...] Once again the nation of Israel held its own and the strength of the Jewish people prevailed. And this won't stop us. We will continue to fight, and we will continue to win. Because humanity will always prevail over fear.”
We applaud Theron for continuing to be the courageous, proud ally that he is.
To hear his full statement, please click here.
Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah hosted a bagel lunch for McMaster University students
Our Director of Campus Affairs Idaliah brought a yummy bagel spread from Bubby's Bagels and some exciting news about AVI's programs and upcoming Common Ground Israel program, to an eager group of McMaster University students.
Thank you to Hillel at McMaster for partnering with us on this fun bagel lunch! It was a pleasure.
To see more pics and videos, please click here.
Many Sukkot festivities were had at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary
AVI's Alberta Campus Advisor Jean-Luc joined Student Ambassadors Larry and Emerson at Mount Royal University to table alongside Chabad on Campus!
Over at the University of Calgary, a fantastic crowd of students dropped by the sukkah to connect, celebrate, and share in the holiday spirit.
Great to see Jewish and allied students coming together across Calgary this Sukkot!
Director of Campus affairs Idaliah and some of our UofT students fulfilled the commandment of shaking the four species following a catch up at Goldstruck coffee
In Toronto, Director of Campus affairs Idaliah met with some of our University of Toronto students at Goldstruck Coffee to discuss upcoming events and initiatives for the school year. While there, they ran into Chabad of Midtown's mobile sukkah, where they fulfilled the commandment of shaking the four species!
Tonight marks the last days of Sukkot – Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah – when we celebrate the joy of Torah, the strength of Jewish identity, and the resilience of our people.
May these holidays bring peace, unity, and renewed hope for Am Yisrael and all those who stand with us.
Our amazing Montreal staff tabling at Bialik High School
Our amazing Montreal staff – Director of Quebec & Atlantic Canada Noa Peretz Benchaya and Québec Campus Advisor Melanie Segev – connected with leadership-oriented high school students at a tabling at Montreal's Bialik High School.
To see more pictures from the tabling, please click here.
Click the above to read the full piece in The Hub
Earlier this week, on the National day for Truth and Reconciliation, AVI stood proudly with our Indigenous allies and First Nations people from across Canada.
One of these allies – Indigenous Advocate Karen Restoule of the Dokis First Nation – has written an important piece condemning the white nationalist groups who have continuously mocked and belittled a dark and shameful stain on Canadian history.
We will forever remember the gross injustices dealt to Indigenous children all over the country simply due to their heritage. We stand with the Indigenous peoples of Canada now and forever.
To read Canada’s inability to honestly discuss residential schools has failed the Indigenous children we lost, please click here.
Click the above to register
In 1938, when much of the world closed its doors to Jews, Shanghai opened hers. Over 20,000 Jews found sanctuary in Shanghai.
Now, in partnership with the Canadian Antisemitism Education Fund (CAEF) and other incredible orgs, we will open a conversation about the decision to take in Jewish refugees, the relationships built by Jews and Chinese during this period and after, the historic friendship between these two peoples.
The presentations and small group dialogue will explore ideas and opportunities for future collaboration between Jewish and Chinese communities.
To register for this online webinar, please click here.
Click the above flyer to learn more and get tickets!
Step into a night of storytelling, healing, and connection. Please join AVI for an evening of powerful documentary film, conversation, and guided therapeutic experiences exploring how storytelling can help us process trauma, connect with others, and heal.
This film-based seminar will feature multi award-winning filmmaker Yonatan Nir, who founded DocuNation – an independent Israeli documentary initiative creating powerful experiences around films and the people behind them.
To learn more and buy tickets, please click here.
Click the above to register!
AVI and Sharaka, an NGO focused on promoting the Abraham Accords, are thrilled to announce the United We Stand: Voices for Peace in the Middle East Tour. In partnership with AVI, it is Sharaka's first ever cross-Canada speaking tour across schools, campuses, and community events around the country.
This unprecedented set of multi-city speaking engagements in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Langley will feature a powerful, diverse panel of leaders dedicated to real dialogue and regional peace: Luai Ahmed, Tamer Masudin, and Fatema Al-Harbi.
Beyond fostering interpersonal connections, Sharaka actively promotes tolerance and fights extremism through global outreach and specialized educational programs—including leading historic Arab delegations to Holocaust memorial sites to counter antisemitism and build regional empathy.
Tickets are limited so make sure you secure your spot today!
To purchase a ticket in your city, please click here.
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