Negev event brings together Jews, non-Jewish allies tackling “new era” of overt antisemitism

Columbia University prof/Jewish civil rights leader Shai Davidai headlines fundraising event for important rehabilitation centre in Southern Israel

By Mark Cooper for JNF Calgary

(Calgary) – Strong voices inside and outside the Jewish community who have stood up and spoken out bravely against post-October 7 antisemitism are coming together at Calgary’s 2025 Negev Event.

Hosted by JNF Calgary and Israel Magen Fund of Canada (IMFoC), the May 8 fundraising event for the Ashdod Rehabilitation & Therapy Centre features a fireside chat between Columbia University Professor Shai Davidai and lawyer, journalist and author Warren Kinsella.

The 41-year-old Israeli-born Davidai was locked out of his own campus for speaking out passionately against anti-Jewish, anti-Israel hate that plagued the university since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Southern Israel. He will speak to the sudden change in trajectory his life took as he found himself on the front lines as a Jewish civil rights leader and activist.

“We’re really looking forward to hearing from Shai about what we can do to join him to constructively fight antisemitism, because we have to change our tactics in this new era where it is much more overt,” said Elliott Steinberg, Executive Director of JNF Calgary.

“He’s been such a strong voice. He doesn’t pull any punches and we expect that it will be a captivating and engaging conversation.”

Kinsella, recently recognized with a King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions fighting antisemitism in Canada, has been one of the strongest non-Jewish online advocates and allies to the community. He’s been touring and reporting for Sun Media from the kibbutzim and other sites where more than 1,200 Israelis were brutally slaughtered by Hamas terrorists.

Steinberg said any time people like Kinsella and other non-Jews in Canadian society “stand up to the tsunami of antisemitism is very gratifying and shows us we are not alone.”

The event will also honour Calgary Heritage Member of Parliament Shuvaloy “Shuv” Majumdar for his pro-Israel stance and staunch support of Calgary’s Jewish community.

JNF Calgary President Cheryl Gurevitch said she gained tremendous admiration for Majumdar when he came to the community vigil two days after October 7 and said “I do not arrive here as Jewish. I do not arrive here as an ally. I arrive here as a Zionist.”

“That is something that takes great courage to say and shows what a strong moral compass Shuv has,” said Gurevitch.

“He isn’t afraid to put himself out there and stand up for what he believes in despite any pushback. People flock to him because of his moral clarity. Whether it’s with the Jewish community or any other community in need, he’s just feet on the ground, hands on.”

Gurevitch hopes these three can help catalyze people to stand up, speak loudly and take action.

The title of the event Moving Forward: Jewish Civil Rights in a New Era was chosen because it aligns with JNF Canada’s mandate to provide Zionist education that inspires both Jews and non-Jews to support the State of Israel and the Jewish diaspora.

Steinberg said he’s grateful for the event partnership with IMFoC, a Canadian registered charity that has mobilized to support vital search and rescue efforts, mental and physical health and social services for impacted communities in Israel.

Harold Heilbut, the President/CEO of Israel Magen Fund of Canada, shared that the event collaboration aligns with the mission of IMFoC, a Canadian registered charity, to mobilize support for vital search and rescue efforts, mental and physical health, and social services for impacted communities in Israel.

“This year’s Negev event supports a state-of-the-art rehabilitation and therapy centre in Ashdod filling a critically important need to address a severe shortage of rehabilitation services in southern Israel. The healthcare system is stretched far beyond its breaking point, worsening since the start of the October 7 war. It’s an excellent example of the kinds of important projects we support,” said Heilbut.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Beth Tzedec Congregation with a VIP reception with the featured speakers. The main program, which includes musical guest Arieh Sacke from Calgary Opera, begins at 7:30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Davidai will meet – at his request – for a roundtable with university students and high school seniors, who can register through JNF by reaching out directly to Elliott Steinberg.

Shai Davidai will also be in Alberta on June 18, 2025 at the JNF Edmonton Negev Gala. For information contact jnfedmonton.ca.

For sponsorship opportunities and corporate donations, visit jnf.ca/CalgaryNegev2025.
To purchase tickets or make a personal donation, visit imfoc.org/calgary-negev.
IMFoC is a registered Canadian charity and will provide official tax receipts for eligible donations, as per CRA guidelines.