Who We Are
Helping all newcomers build a strong and vibrant community
Who We Are
JIAS was established in 1922 to assist Jewish refugees coming to Canada. Today, JIAS Toronto is the only Jewish social service agency in Canada solely dedicated to providing settlement services to immigrants and refugees. JIAS is inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly, and proud to serve all newcomers regardless of faith or country of origin. We have a diverse staff and offer settlement services in a variety of languages.
This year JIAS is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Click here for information on our anniversary and events.
Our Mission
We welcome, support, and integrate new immigrants and refugees to build a vibrant Jewish community and a strong, inclusive Canada that values all newcomers.
Our Values
Rooted in Jewish values and guided by the principle of welcoming the stranger in our midst, we believe that all newcomers should be warmly welcomed, well serviced, and connected to communities. They have the right to be safe, treated with dignity and respect, and valued for their traditions, cultures, achievements, and aspirations. We believe that newcomers should be provided with the choices and opportunities that will empower them towards self-reliance.
Our History
JIAS Toronto is the only Jewish agency in Canada solely dedicated to the settlement of immigrants and refugees. Since 1922, JIAS has worked with and adapted to several waves of Jewish immigrants and refugees, assisting immigrants from post-war Europe, North Africa, the Former Soviet Union, South Africa, Syria, the former Yugoslavia, Argentina, and Israel.
In 2015, JIAS Toronto become a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) which enabled the organization to sponsor refugees to come to Canada.
This year JIAS is celebrating its 100th anniversary. As an organization that has been welcoming and working with newcomers for a century, we have a history of meeting the evolving needs of newcomers and treating them with dignity and respect while listening to their needs and aspirations.
All newcomers should be warmly welcomed, well serviced, and connected to communities.
Our Work
We welcome, support, and integrate newcomers through our services:
