About Us

Purple House Canada is an initiative of Canadian Palestinians & Jews Standing Together (CPJST), a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening relationships between Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, Arab, and allied communities.

CPJST works to reduce antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and other forms of prejudice by creating opportunities for meaningful human connection, dialogue, education, and community collaboration. We believe that lasting social cohesion is built not through debate alone, but through trust, shared experiences, and relationships rooted in mutual respect.

A Canada where people from different backgrounds know one another as neighbors, celebrate their diversity, and work together to build stronger, more welcoming communities. 

We create safe and welcoming spaces where Palestinians, Jews, Israelis, Arabs, Muslims, and allies can connect through shared experiences. By bringing people together around food, art, dialogue, culture, sports, and community activities, we help reduce prejudice, challenge stereotypes, strengthen trust, and foster lasting relationships across communities. 

Since 2024, more than 1,000 Canadians—including Palestinians, Jews, Israelis, Arabs, Muslims, and allies—have participated in community gatherings that encourage connection, understanding, and mutual respect.

Every shared meal, conversation, and activity helps build relationships that extend beyond our events. Together, we demonstrate that meaningful friendships and collaboration are possible across communities that are often portrayed as divided.

Purple represents a space that belongs to everyone.

Unlike colours strongly associated with national identities, purple symbolizes openness, creativity, dignity, and community. It reflects our commitment to creating an environment where every participant feels equally welcome, respected, and safe.

Purple House Canada was inspired by the spirit of the Purple Houses created by members of the Standing Together movement in Israel-Palestine, where Jewish and Palestinian communities gather around shared meals, cultural activities, volunteering, and neighborhood initiatives.

Purple House Canada is an independent Canadian initiative developed by CPJST. While we draw inspiration from the values of community-building demonstrated by those spaces, we are not affiliated with or operated by Standing Together. Our programming has been designed specifically for the Canadian context, reflecting Canada's multicultural society and commitment to inclusion, diversity, and belonging.

Advisors

Shlomit Broder

Abeer Sakkejha

Anonymous 

Marketing Co-ordination and Design

Arwa AlShawwa

Shelly Ben Shachar

Anonymous

Secretary

Yafa Sakkejha

Trainers and Anti-Racism Consultants

Equitas Pathways to Anti-racism

Dr Jeffrey Wilkinson

Raja Khouri

Yusuf Suraj

Zach Harris

+ many more