We welcome, support, and integrate new immigrants and refugees to build a vibrant Jewish community and a strong, inclusive Canada that values all newcomers.
All newcomers, regardless of country of origin, faith, or financial circumstances should feel welcome and empowered to get the support they need from JIAS.
Our Values
JIAS Toronto is a Jewish agency that upholds Canada’s commitment to embracing immigrants and refugees. 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.
כגר כאזרח יהיה. הנכרי הבא מארץ אחרת ונפרד מארצו נקרא גר, מלשון גרגיר הנפרד מן האילן, ומי שאבותיו מן העיר נקרא אזרח, מלשון (תהילים ל״ז:ל״ה) ומתערה כאזרח רענן, כדמיון הנטיעה הנטועה מימי קדם, ולכך אמר כי המשפט הזה יהיה שוה בכולן
כגר כאזרח יהיה, “the proselyte and the native shall be alike (before the law).” The Gentile who came from a foreign land and separated himself from his homeland is called גר by the Torah as he resembles a גרגיר, a berry falling of a tree which is separated from its source. If someone’s parents came from the same town he is called an אזרח, a “native.” The word appears in that sense in Psalms 37,35 ומתערה כאזרח רענן, “and well-rooted like a robust native tree.” The Torah wanted to make the point that in spite of these differences in origin of certain people, the law is to be applied to them equally.
(17) For your God יהוה is God supreme and Lord supreme, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who shows no favor and takes no bribe, (18) but upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and befriends the stranger, providing food and clothing.— (19) You too must befriend (love) the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
What is the impact for you of "for you were strangers in the land of Egypt"?
How do these verses support or challenge the work of JIAS and the values and mission statements?