Two years ago, when I became JIAS chair, I could never have imagined how much the world would change, nor how important immigration and settlement work would become in Canada.

I also could never have imagined what a truly incredible team I would have to help me, whether we were facing a crisis, which unfortunately has become part of our normal environment, or when dealing with the day-to-day questions faced by immigrants. Our staff tireless, our volunteers energetic, our board determined, and our donors never fail to open their hearts.

For example, when COVID hit JIAS was put into crisis management mode. How would we service our clients when so many of them were on their own? How would we get them laptops so that they could access services? How do we provide the reassurance that we all need during this difficult time? We began to implement a more flexible board process to deal with the changing needs of the organization. When news began about a possible war in Ukraine, JIAS began to discuss its impact on immigration long before newspapers recognized it as a real possibility. Through these challenges we never flinched. The Board, its committees, and JIAS staff and volunteers worked together as a giant team to deal with the crises at hand. Biweekly meetings became weekly meetings, then daily meetings and then sometimes hourly meetings. Donors volunteered their time and their money to help. Board members asked for tasks before we even recognized what the next steps needed to be. I watched Elise Herzig and the JIAS staff rise to the challenge. All of you make me so proud to be part of this organization.

I must recognize the people who worked with me on the Board over the past few years to make sure that we thrived. Thank you to: Moy Gutfrajnd, Bonnie Zelman, and Errol Tenenbaum, who made sure that our accounting was always above board and transparent in a changing environment. Winston Persaud, who kept the human resources part of the process clear and on track during a time of crisis and growth. And to Amyn Sarif for keeping our networks safe and reminding us of the importance of cyber security. Jacqueline Valmont and her committee for examining strategic partnerships. Linda Igra for formalizing a much-needed crisis management plan. David Lubek, who jumped into many of our committees to help wherever he could and who will be our new vice-chair moving forward. Bari Zittell, for your leadership in working with and supporting constituent groups. Adam Hummel, who helped with legal matters and questions in a changing immigration environment. Nanette, who originally got me involved in JIAS, always made sure that the hard questions were addressed at our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion meetings. Ariel Lasry and Shelly Markel for all their work on our Executive Committee, ensuring we remain on track. As Shelly Markel steps into the role of our board Chair, I speak for everyone in wishing her great success. I would also like to welcome Joe Milstone and Vlad Volodarski to our Board, your input has already been felt.

As I end my term as Chair and reflect on the past few years, I feel inspired and honored to have worked with all of you. We did it. We navigated unfamiliar terrain with bravery. We never buckled under critical load. While not every moment was perfect, and at times the enormity of the tasks at hand felt overwhelming, we did everything we could to meet our goals. As a result of our efforts, JIAS has become a vital part of the global community of settlement agencies.

This Annual Report highlights our work from April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023, but before, let me rewind to three months prior to the beginning of our fiscal year, January 2022. I was developing the budget to present to the JIAS Board which had recommended a one-year stabilization strategy with minimal additional growth because the agency had committed to the following time-sensitive projects which would stretch our resources:

• Building infrastructure to support a post-Covid hybrid workplace.
• Launching community outreach initiatives for the centennial celebrations.
• Expanding our sponsorship targets to 100 refugees.
• Rolling out our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion research initiative.
• Implementing trauma-informed workshops through funding from the Ontario Brain Institute.

My plan articulated the many benefits of putting on pause any additional projects as we were at capacity and needed to recalibrate. My plan never made it to a Board meeting.

The unprecedented number of Ukrainians entering Canada, the urgent need to sponsor Afghan refugees, the dire demand for immigrant housing, and the potential risks to unaccompanied minors from Ukraine rendered my plan obsolete.

As a settlement agency with deep roots in supporting immigrants and refugees from Ukraine, as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the ability to privately sponsor refugees, and as a Jewish organization that knows the dangers of sending unaccompanied minors to other countries from our experience in the Holocaust, we recognized that we were uniquely positioned to lead and respond.

So, we did.

The JIAS board supported our shift to expand staffing, adapt service delivery, and develop new partnerships. This growth strategy positioned our agency to become a leading responder to the urgent needs of displaced Ukrainians and Afghan refugees.

In the Jewish text the Ethics of the Fathers, Ben Zoma states, “Who is wise? One who learns from every person.” I thank each of our JIAS staff, board, volunteers, donors, funders, and clients who contribute to our agency – both in actions and ideas. I learn from each of you, every day.

Our team has expanded to represents the diverse communities we serve and operates on common values, dedication, integrity, and empathy. Individually and collectively, they are the dream team of the settlement sector.

Our Board brings a multi-faceted skillset to our agency. They provide their time and talent to ensure JIAS remains sustainable and has the necessary procedures, controls, resources, and systems to achieve our strategic priorities. They lead by example and provide sage advice. Under the leadership of Anna Morgan, our Board Chair, JIAS transformed into a trusted thought leader and partner of choice. Anna, thank you for your unwavering support and non-stop effort in an exciting and challenging time of growth.

To our volunteers who are the backbone of all that we do. Your compassion, kindness, and caring gives our clients hope and a sense of belonging.  

To our donors, thank you for your generosity and confidence in our ability to make an impactful difference. Your support allows us to be more agile, responsive, and innovative. Without your support, we would not have accomplished all that we did this year.

To our funders, we thank you for your continued support and trust.

To our partners, thank you. It is a privilege to collaborate and join forces with your incredible teams.

To our clients. Your bravery, tenacity, and resilience fuel our efforts, touch our hearts, and strengthen our resolve.  

To the eldest child of five Afghan orphans whom we sponsored and welcomed in November, I salute your resoluteness in keeping your family intact – you were the glue that kept your family safe and in doing so, you carried on your parents’ wishes at great cost to yourself.

To the Ukrainian caregiver and her thirteen-year-old son, who brought to Canada an 89-year-old Holocaust survivor. They advocated for her and now live with her in Canada so that she is not alone. We are grateful for how you treat her with dignity and love.

To our refugee who balances building a life in Canada and dealing with the trauma of leaving behind loved ones. When you choose to volunteer at JIAS as part of your path forward, you bring hope and understanding to other refugees.

While it has been an amazing year with a lot of successes, there are big questions the sector needs to address that will require even more partnerships, collaborations, and new thinking. JIAS has already started this process by initiating a community practice of sharing lessons within the sector on diversity, equity, and inclusion, building a crisis response plan, and exploring what an agency of the future must look like. We are proud to live in a country that values newcomers. This is a time for Canadians – governments, institutions, communities, and individuals – to rally together in support of newcomers as they play a vital role in our economic and social well-being. And JIAS, as we always have, will continue to lead, advocate, and innovate.