Past, Present, Future
Honouring our history. Strengthening today. Building tomorrow.
Our History
JIAS Toronto is the only Jewish agency in Canada solely dedicated to the settlement of immigrants and refugees.
Founded in 1922, the agency was established by the Jewish community to advocate for, welcome, and support Jewish immigrants and refugees. Over the course of the 20th century, JIAS helped support Jewish newcomers from around the world – including post-war Europe, North Africa, the Former Soviet Union, South Africa, South America, and other regions. By the turn of the century, the agency's mandate had expanded to provide services for immigrants and refugees of all faiths, backgrounds, and countries of origin.
In 2015, JIAS Toronto became a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), which enabled the organization to sponsor refugees to come to Canada.
JIAS recently celebrated our 100th anniversary. As an organization that has been welcoming and working with newcomers for a century, we have a history of meeting their evolving needs, treating them with dignity and respect, and listening to their needs and aspirations.
Our Present
Today, JIAS is a trusted partner of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), delivering essential settlement and integration services to immigrants and refugees from diverse backgrounds.
Our diverse, multilingual staff offer settlement services in over 10 languages, ensuring newcomers can access the support they need.
As newcomer needs evolve, JIAS adapts to meet them. While our government funding focuses on Permanent Residents and Refugee Sponsorship, we also work to meet the needs of newcomers regardless of how they arrive in Canada—whether through economic pathways, refugee sponsorship, or family reunification.
Our work is supported by hundreds of volunteers from across the community. Together, we continue to grow, adapt, and build strategic partnerships. We are proud to be a Jewish voice within the broader settlement sector.
Through all of our work, we welcome, support, and integrate immigrants and refugees to help build a vibrant Jewish community and a strong, inclusive Canada that values newcomers.
Our Future
As we reflect on our history, we look ahead with purpose—committed to evolving alongside the needs of the newcomers we serve and strengthening our role as a leading Jewish voice in the settlement sector.
Guided by our Strategic Plan, we are focused on expanding our impact in three key ways: delivering the right services to meet emerging needs, strengthening sustainable funding to support long-term growth, and investing in efficient, innovative systems that enhance the client experience.
At the heart of this work is a simple belief: when newcomers thrive, our entire community is stronger.
Our work is made possible by the generosity of our volunteers and donors. Join us in building a stronger Canada and a more welcoming home for newcomers.
Learn more about how to get involved.