JIAS Toronto

New school, new teachers, new friends, new ways of doing things. Starting over can be tough! In August, JIAS's Ready for School program prepares students for this transition by simulating the classroom environment and providing a glimpse into what to expect. Thank you to our students, staff, and volunteers for a wonderful two weeks at Ready for School. Wishing all students the best as they head back to school this week!

Are you AWARE? Many Israeli newcomers face unexpected financial crisis in Canada as they wait months for their work permits. *** We sleep well at night because there is an Israel. As Israelis arrive in our community, they deserve the same peace of mind and to know they are not alone. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Are you AWARE? Israelis applying for the special measures must do so from within Canada, which means that they are arriving as visitors and then waiting up to 4 months to receive their open work permit, which allows them to work legally here. Until they receive the open work permit, they are visitors, a status that presents several challenges. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Are you AWARE? Since October 2023, 718 Israelis have contacted JIAS after arriving in the GTA, seeking settlement services and community support. *** We sleep well at night because there is an Israel. As Israelis arrive in our community, they deserve the same peace of mind and to know they are not alone. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Are you AWARE? Many Israeli newcomers face unexpected financial crisis in Canada as they wait months for their work permits. ***We sleep well at night because there is an Israel. As Israelis arrive in our community, they deserve the same peace of mind and to know they are not alone. Support recently arrived Israelis. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Sali, her husband Alexander, and their 4-year-old daughter Siel lived in Beersheva, a 10-minute drive from Ofakim, one of the communities targeted by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Like the rest of the country, she was stunned and terrified. "I couldn't walk in the street without looking behind my back. I felt fear all the time. Stress all the time," Sali said. Business stopped. Alexander lost his job. Sali suffered a miscarriage. Nothing felt secure. Learning about the three-year Canadian open work permit available to Israelis as an emergency measure post the October 7 attack, they decided to seek safety outside the country. Alexander came first while Sali stayed in Israel, packing up their apartment, selling their car, and negotiating a leave from her job as a teacher. Two months later, in February, she and Siel landed in Toronto and joined Alexander. They initially rented a basement apartment, but being underground and the decreased light triggered Sali's fears, making it hard for her to feel safe. JIAS stepped in. Through its partnership with Airbnb, Sali and her family were able to rent a different house. They were not ready for months of unemployment and new expenses. Such planning is a luxury afforded to people with foresight and time, not people who wake up one day to war. While they awaited their work permits, they focused on job hunting, facing the challenges of adapting to a new job market, language barriers, and the need for Canadian work experience. It took three months for their work permits to arrive. Alexander, a locksmith, now has a job. Sali is looking for a teaching position. "It's funny, it was my husband who really wanted to come to Canada, but I didn't want to leave my family. Now, my whole goal is to bring them all here," said Sali. "I came here and found peace. I have never felt peace like this before. It's allowed me to be a better person and a better mother." Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Volunteer with us on August 25 for the JIAS Newcomer Welcome Fair, a unique and FREE event designed to support newcomers in our community! We’re looking for volunteers to supervise children, assist with registration, and provide general support. Interested? Send an email to [email protected]!

JIAS provides information, temporary housing for those with urgent need, housing search support, emergency financial supplementation, mental health support, community connections, employment mentorship and more. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Sali, her husband Alexander, and their 4-year-old daughter Siel lived in Beersheva. After the October 7 attack, Sali became overwhelmed by fear and stress. Learning about the emergency measure Canadian open work permit, they sought safety outside the country. Are you AWARE? Since October 2023, 718 Israelis have contacted JIAS after arriving in the GTA, seeking settlement services and community support. We sleep well at night because there is an Israel. As Israelis arrive in our community, they deserve the same peace of mind and to know they are not alone. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gb6-Y9pB #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware

Aviv, Idan, and their baby Tohar lived in Rosh Hanikra kibbutz, just 500 meters from the Lebanon border. Following the October 7 attack on southern Israel, there were warnings of potential similar attacks on northern communities. Hearing this, they quickly packed their bags and fled to the country's centre, believing their displacement would last only a few days. Shortly, the entire northern region was evacuated. Aviv was overwhelmed with stress. Determined to find safety, they decided to leave the country. They went to Cyprus, where they would contemplate their next move. In November, they took a chance on Canada and one month later could not believe their luck. Canada introduced emergency measures for Israeli nationals to apply for an open work permit for up to three years. A kind family offered their house for two months, giving them temporary relief. Despite their efforts, finding longer-term housing proved challenging, with high rents and requests for six-month advance payment. Three months (to the day!), their work permits arrived. By this point, they were financially drained. They reached out to local rabbis, one of whom helped them write a letter asking the community for help. This act of reaching out led to two housing leads, one of which they secured and where they were introduced to JIAS. Aviv was overwhelmed with gratitude when she realized that in addition to helping them secure housing, JIAS provided the first and last month's rent - crucial financial support until Idan's new window and door sale and repair business could start earning money. Aviv also works helping Idan with the business and caring for Tohar, who is now two. Currently, their kibbutz remains evacuated, and there continue to be more rockets and sirens in the area. Learn more and donate today: https://lnkd.in/eRqNRS5k #donate #support #jewishgta #newcomers #newcomersincanada #areyouaware