York U students send message to the People of Iran

PLUS: AVI joins solidarity meeting with Iranian community members, Concordia Student recites powerful poem of hope and freedom in Iran, and more!

Click the above photo to hear words of support and solidarity for the People of Iran from students at York University

On Friday, January 16, AVI brought together Jewish and Iranian students at York University in Toronto to engage fellow peers with a simple but powerful question: what message would you send to the people of Iran as they endure one of the most intense and widespread waves of protest in decades?

These protests have been met with severe repression, mass arrests, and tragic loss of life. The suffering of the Iranian people is further compounded by economic hardship and information blackouts that make the reality on the ground difficult to fully see from the outside.

In this moving video, Iranian students and their allies share messages of solidarity, empathy, and strength. Their words are a reminder that compassion and humanity can transcend borders, politics, and ideology, and that standing together still matters.

To watch, please click here.

Click the above still to listen to a powerful poem, recited by Iranian Concordia student and AVI friend Parsa

Powerful voices matter.

AVI is proud to share this recording of Parsa, an Iranian student at Concordia University in Montreal, reading his poem Cake, featured in the Proof of Life poetry anthology Never Again: Allies Speak Out Against Anti-Jewish Hatred.

Persians and Jews share a long history of connection and alliance, and Parsa’s words are a moving reminder of the strength of allies standing against hatred. We are honoured to support our Iranian allies and amplify voices calling for understanding, justice, and solidarity.

To watch, please click here.

AVI Founder & Executive Director Daniel joined Iranian community members and leaders for a solidarity roundtable

After being invited by the York University Young Liberals of Canada (YUYLC), AVI joined a solidarity meeting with members of the Iranian community in Toronto this weekend. ⁠

MP Vince Gasparro was in attendance and heard directly from a roundtable Iranian leaders and community members about their frustrations on what’s currently happening in Iran.⁠ AVI founder Daniel Koren also had the opportunity to share our organization's support and solidarity with the People of Iran at this time.

To see more photos from this important and healing roundtable, please click here.

Iranian-Canadian Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker Negar Mojtahedi weighs in on the current tragedy unfolding in Iran

Negar Mojtahedi is a Canadian journalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker based in Vancouver. Her work centres on human rights, diaspora experiences, and issues affecting Iranians in Iran and around the world. Through journalism and film, she challenges narrow narratives and brings greater public understanding of Iranian communities.

In recent years, Mojtahedi has reported extensively on the regime’s crackdowns on protesters, including executions, the targeting of political activists, and the toll this violence has taken on the Iranian diaspora. She has also engaged Canadian political leaders on issues such as designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

Iranians are facing one of the deadliest crackdowns in decades, with thousands killed, tens of thousands detained, and a near-total internet blackout used to conceal the truth as people demand dignity, freedom, and basic rights.

This is not just a moment. It is a movement. Stand with Iran. Amplify their voices, press leaders to act, support human rights defenders, and refuse to look away while voices are silenced.

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Our babka bake with Chabad at UBC

Baking babka, building community. ⁠

In Vancouver, our AVI Student Ambassadors Malcom and Aarav, along with our BC Community Advisor Stefanie, recently spent the evening with AVI, Chabad at the University of British Columbia and JSA UBC.

Students took part in a night of tradition, conversation, and connection. And yes, the babkas turned out delicious! 

⁠To see more photos, please click here. 

If interested, send your resume to daniel@alliedvoicesforisrael.org

Are you a Vancouver local? Are you passionate about empowering Jewish students and their allies to become leaders who stand against hatred on their campuses?⁠

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated BC Campus Advisor to join our team!

This will be a part-time or full-time position based in Vancouver. It's an exciting and rewarding opportunity to work with incredible university students and help us grow our educational initiatives on the west coast!⁠

If you feel like you'd be a fit for the role, please send your resume to daniel@alliedvoicesforisrael.org.

(Top image): Apply for Common Ground Israel Summer 2026 (Bottom image): Watch a recap of our most recent Winter trip!

It may be Winter in Canada, but how about you start dreaming of your Summer plans now?

Common Ground Israel Summer applications are now OPEN!

For 10 days, we will explore strategic locations around Israel while learning about its history, geopolitical situation on the ground, diversity, and how to hone your leadership and advocacy skills along the way!

Students will bring what they learned back to their respective campuses to serve as Ambassadors for Israel, human rights, and peace. 

🗓️ Mission runs June 1-11, 2026

➡️ Open to Canadian college/university students OF ALL BACKGROUNDS!

Spots are limited! To apply and become a Common Ground Ambassador, please click here. 

To watch a short and sweet recap of our most recent Winter program, please click here.

(Top image): Apply for Common Ground Israel Summer 2026 (Bottom image): Watch a recap of our most recent Winter trip!

Join our Calgary staff, students, and community members at Mount Royal University to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

We will come together as a student community to remember, learn, and reflect on one of the most devastating periods in history and its enduring connection to Calgary.⁠ Organized in partnership with Holocaust and Human Rights Remembrance and Education, Calgary Jewish Federation, AVI, StandWithUs Canada, and Hillel Calgary.

This is a drop-in event, so no registration is required.