York U student describes allyship efforts on campus
- Allied Voices for Israel (AVI)
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
PLUS: AVI staff and Israeli Activist Noa Reuveni put up hostage posters in Tel Aviv, student op-eds published online, and more!
Even with Summer break in full swing, our Allied Voices for Israel (AVI) Student Ambassadors continue to make their voices heard, both on and off campus.
A huge mazel tov to AVI/ HonestReporting Canada Campus Media Fellow and Common Ground Ambassador Michael Mandel for recently getting published in The Algemeiner!
In his piece, Michael describes his incredible work building coalitions at York University as a Common Ground Ambassador with AVI.
“While the media often highlights the challenges facing Jewish students, especially the rise in antisemitism, it rarely tells the full story: that Jewish students are also supported by principled and courageous allies. Campus events have also emphasized that while these allies are not Jewish, they are still targeted for supporting Israel and the Jewish people,” writes Michael.
We are proud of Michael's achievements on campus – Kol Hakavod!
To read United in Values: Jewish and Non-Jewish Students Standing Up Against Hatred, please click here.
AVI’s Director of Campus Affairs joined Israeli activist Noa Reuveni in putting up hostage posters along the Tel Aviv tayelet this week. Noa grew up in the Gaza Envelope, close to the site of the Nova Festival and Kibbutzim that were attacked on October 7th.
As a response to the brutal attack by Hamas, Noa has emerged as a leading activist in Israel and a voice representing the hostages, their families, and friends.
27-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman, Noa's lifelong friends, were kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza and have been held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023.
🎗 Bring Gali, Ziv, and all of the hostages home now.
To see more footage from this special day, please click here.
Paul Finlayson, a business professor, was officially terminated from the University of Guelph-Humber on July 7th after nearly two years of suspension stemming from his strongly pro-Israel social media posts following October 7.
He had called Hamas “barbaric” and likened anti-Israel slogans to Nazism — sparking complaints from students and staff. He was suspended without a hearing, barred from campus, and ultimately dismissed.
Now, Paul is going public, claiming double standards and academic censorship, and plans to pursue legal action. He says there are professors at Guelph-Humber who have made hundreds of antisemitic posts – with no consequences whatsoever.
We call on the administration of the University of Guelph-Humber, as well as Canadian universities across Canada, to condemn such discriminatory double standards.
Paul will be joining AVI on the next episode of our Common Voices podcast – stay tuned!
A huge thank you to Thornhill MPP Laura Smith for recently joining us at a end-of-year BBQ at Christie Pits Park! Your allyship and support in combating anti-Jewish hatred means the world.
To see more pictures, please click here.
Two of our Campus Media Fellows got published!
Mazal tov to two of our HonestReporting Canada/AVI Campus Media Fellows for getting their op-eds published!
To read Israeli-Arab Soldier Confronts False Narratives About Israel: ‘My Jewish Comrades Are The Good Guys’ in Harbinger's Daily by Western University student Tiauna Lodewyk, please click here.
To read Has antisemitism entered grade school? by one of our Toronto Campus Media Fellows in The Jewish Post, please click here.
Throwing it back to an unforgettable closing weekend retreat for our most recent cohort of AVI High School Ambassadors!
From celebrating Shabbat together, a scavenger hunt, and late night slushie runs, to an unforgettable two days at the cottage full of workshops, activities, and a warm graduation ceremony to close our an amazing High School program!
To watch a recap of our high school closing weekend, please click here.
We are now accepting applications for our 2025/26 cohort. To apply, please click here.
In education news, a new federal report authored by Professor Robert Brym for Canadian Heritage has revealed 781 incidents of anti-Jewish hatred in Ontario schools since October 7th, 2023.
From Nazi salutes to teachers approving hateful behaviour, Jewish students are being targeted simply for who they are.
No child should feel unsafe or afraid to show their Jewish identity at school. This is a wake-up call for all Canadians. We must ensure every student is protected from anti-Jewish hatred.
To read our summary of this landmark report, please click here.
We are pleased to share a new video from one of our incredible Indigenous allies. In the clip, Linda Price, from the Tsilhqot'in nation, living in Kelowna, British Columbia, shares her staunch support for Israel. Her words remind us that standing together in truth and solidarity builds bridges between communities.
This video is part of our Indigenous video series, in partnership with CAEF and Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem.
Stay tuned for the final video in this series.
To watch the full reel, please click here.
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