“It’s a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher,
By your pupils you’ll be taught.
As a teacher I’ve been learning
(You’ll forgive me if I boast)
And I’ve now become an expert,
On the subject I like most…”
—Getting to Know You, The King and I
These lyrics are what Abby Robins often thinks of when she reflects on the experience shared between City Shul and the Dasini family.
The Dasini family lived in Mosul, the capital of Nineveh province, which includes Sinjar, formerly home to thousands of Iraqi Yazidis. Yazidis are a religious minority that were victims of ISIS genocide and its forced conversion campaign that led to the execution and massacre of thousands of Yazidi civilians, and the abduction and severe abuse of thousands of Yazidi women. The Dasini family fled to a refugee camp where they lived for a few years, eventually making their way to a small town in Iraqi Kurdistan, an autonomous region. There, they lived—two parents and nine children spanning ages from 7 to 21— in precarious conditions, surviving mainly on whatever money could be sent from family members already in Canada.
JIAS identified the family’s dire situation. However, to sponsor them, a uniquely positioned group of volunteers would be needed to provide wrap-around support and assurance funds to cover the expenses for this large family. They would also require costly interpretation services for the family that only spoke Kurmanji. That was when JIAS approached City Shul.
City Shul is a small downtown congregation of 200 families that raised so much money that it could support all 11 family members and then some. When JIAS explained the need, which would require significant funds, time and support for such a large family, the Shul agreed.
Abby Robins, Aviva Cipin and Anne Milchberg led the volunteer effort, with dozens more joining in, responding to calls put out through the Shul newsletter for help as needs arose. They found dentists, family doctors, tutors, drivers, and people to gather household goods, clothing, and other essentials. They found the Dasini family a home in Richmond Hill close to others in the Yazidi community. City Shul was ready.
In February 2020, weeks before the world shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic adding even more challenges to what was already a daunting immigration experience, the Dasini family arrived at Pearson Airport. City Shul volunteers were there to greet them and shepherd them through a world that could not have been more different from anything they had experienced before.
As the family began to settle, something else happened. The Shul changed, too. At the time, City Shul was just ten years old. This project became a turning point. People, many of whom barely knew one another, began building something together around the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World. It broke down barriers and built connections, and a group of individuals became a strong shul community.
Before coming to Canada, the Dasini family had never met a Jewish person. Through this experience, they came to know Jews as helpers—people who reach out, who give, who work together to make others feel safe and seen.
Today, the Dasini family is still growing into their life here. The father and two sons work as mechanics. The younger children are in school. Life is not easy, but it is full of possibilities.
The story of City Shul and the Dasini family shows what happens when values drive commitment. A family found safety, a congregation found purpose, and a community grew stronger, together.
*Name modified for privacy