Independent Jewish Voices Waterloo Region

05/20/2026

WR friends: On Sunday, May 31, at 1:30pm, Neighbours for Palestine WR and IJV-WR cosponsor a screening of "All That's Left of You" (https://allthatsleftofyou.com)—a 2025 film by Cherien Dabis—which traces one Palestinian family's history over seven decades of military siege and occupation.

This event is a fundraiser for Canadian Boat to Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition (https://canadaboatgaza.org), some of whose members have just been abducted by the IOF on their way to Gaza. A recent FFC activist will discuss their experiences and the importance of this mission.

The screening is at a Kitchener venue that's near the ION and accessible (location shared upon registration). Admission is on a sliding scale from $15.50 to $50: https://actionnetwork.org/ticketed_events/all-thats-left-of-you-film-screening-flotilla-fundraiser

05/15/2026

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

IJV will join the American Council for Judaism, Rabbis for Ceasefire, and many partner organizations for the Global Shavuot Teach-in “From the US to Palestine: Solidarity is Holy.” As the United States expands imperialist wars and Israel continues to inflict horrific violence in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, we must recommit to the Holiness of all life.

Shavuot is traditionally observed through staying up all night studying. We will use our study to grow our solidarity through a 24 hour teach-in. Through text study, short films, songs, and other formats, our teachers from across the world will share their knowledge so we may all become more principled, learned, and committed to liberation.

Drop in for one session or stay for the whole 24 hours; all our welcome and no prior Jewish text knowledge is needed. The event will begin on May 21 at 6 PM Jerusalem/11 AM ​H​amilton and ends May 22 6 PM Jerusalem/11 AM ​H​amilton

Register at https://givebutter.com/shavuot5786​.​ More info at https://www.instagram.com/p/DXaBCxOklHw/​

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Organized by:

Rabbis for Ceasefire and The American Council for Judaism

Co-sponsored by:
Solidarity of Nations - Achvat Amim
Center for Jewish Nonviolence
IfNotNow
Tzedek Chicago
Cleveland Jewish Collective
Shel Maala
Beyt Tikkun Synagogue
Partners for Progressive Israel
Boston Workers Circle
Kehilla Community Synagogue
Christian-Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel-Palestine
The Bushwick/Ridgewood Shul
Kesher Pittsburgh
Kehilla Community Synagogue
Hartford Jewish Organizing Collective
Kol Tzedek
Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Narrow Bridge Candles
This Is Not An Ulpan
V'ahavtah: A Judaism Beyond Zionism Synagogue
Jews for Tikkun Olam: Jewish social workers, therapist, spiritual leaders for social justice and Palestinian liberation
Asian Jews for Palestine
Jewish Investor Network
Tzedek Tirdof Havurah
Botzina RVA
Shleimut
Jewish Voice for Peace

04/30/2026

On April 29, multiple vessels were illegally intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Greek territorial waters.

What we are witnessing is an attempt to normalize Israeli control over the Mediterranean itself and an escalation of Israel’s impunity. The logic deployed by the Israeli occupier last night offers a glimpse into the relentless campaign, waged for decades, aimed at starving and massacring Palestinians.

Canada, which claims to uphold international law, has once again remained silent. To date, there has been no condemnation of Israeli attacks on civilians in international waters. This lack of response is not neutral: it amounts to complicity.

We demand immediate answers and accountability: The complicit silence of governments around the world allows Israel to target the lives of civilians, anywhere in the world, at any time, without any consequences.

WRITE TO YOUR MP: https://win.newmode.net/ask-your-mp-flotilla-kidnapped

04/28/2026

Glad to see Independent Jewish Voices Canada critiquing B'nai Brith's misleading new "audit of antisemitic incidents" in the Toronto Star. Antizionism is not anti-Jewish hatred!

From "Canadian Jews face record surge in antisemitism driven by online harassment, B’nai Brith report finds" by Femi Dawodu:

"Some in Canada’s Jewish community strongly criticized B’nai Brith’s new report.
"Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), a pro-Palestine organization that calls for peace across the region, said it was 'deeply concerned that B’nai Brith Canada’s 2025 audit once again relies on flawed methodology and politicized definitions that distort the reality of antisemitism in Canada,' adding that the data 'lacks transparency and independent verification.'
"The group took particular issue with B’nai Brith’s use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
'While it claims to distinguish between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism, in practice it repeatedly blurs that line, treating anti-Zionism and criticism of Israeli state policy as inherently suspect,' said Corey Balsam, IJV’s national co-ordinator, in an emailed statement to the Star.
"Still, antisemitism deserves to be taken seriously, added Balsam. 'Jews, like all Canadians, deserve to feel safe. That requires evidence-based approaches that clearly distinguish between hate and political discourse, not ones that suppress legitimate debate.'"

04/22/2026

Tuesday, April 28, 7pm: Please join Neighbours for Palestine WR for a phone zap with Palestinian Students and Scholars At Risk Network (https://pssar.ca). You can register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/pssar-phone-zap-april-28-700pm

PSSAR is actively advocating for more than 130 students from Gaza who have been accepted into graduate programs across Canada but now face severe visa delays. Without urgent processing, they risk losing their funded offers. This is a solvable, limited-scale issue with a clear precedent. We’re calling for dedicated attention from Canadian officials to help move these files forward.

At this online event, after PSSAR gives a short talk about their advocacy, we'll call or email our MPs to demand they take action. (N4P will share a template and talking points you can use, as well as contact info for federal representatives.)

Join us as we hear from a guest speaker from the Palestinian Students and Scholars At Risk. Over 130 students from Gaza were accepted into Canadian universities but remain trapped due to the Government of Canada's inaction. We will collectively push our MPs and federal officials to demand an immedia...

04/20/2026

The Princess Original is screening "Palestine 36" several times next month, with speakers from WR Friends of Palestine and Palestinian Youth Movement on May 1 and May 3. To see the schedule and buy tickets:
https://princesscinemas.com/movie/palestine-36

Here is the Princess's description of the film:
"1936. As villages across mandatory Palestine rise against British colonial rule, Yusuf drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest. But history is relentless. With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe, and the Palestinian population uniting in the largest and longest uprising against Britain's 30-year dominion, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region."