A Message from our President

I am writing this greeting as we Jews – within Israel and in the Diaspora – look back on the events of the past two months and deliberate on what they might mean for our future and the future of the State of Israel.  As of this date the kidnapped soldiers have not yet been released but the ceasefire is holding and the propaganda victory won by Hezbollah seems to be eroding.  Hezbollah – at least in the short term – is no longer a serious threat, but the Iranian nuclear program looms ever larger on Israel’s horizon and indeed on the horizon of the entire Western world.  During these difficult times a source of comfort and pride for us as Canadians has been the crystal clear appreciation of the situation and the steadfast support given to Israel’s fully justified actions by our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and his party.  We give him full credit for his morally correct stand, but we well understand that politics are politics and without a strong Jewish voice – coming from coast to coast across this country – to ensure that the true facts of the situation were brought to his attention, such a stand would have been much less likely. 

JIAS Canada has always argued that it is absolutely necessary for the survival and well-being of Israel as well as of the Canadian Jewish community that we do all we can to halt the decline of the smaller Jewish communities, and that our role in supporting the dispersion of new immigrants and their integration into Jewish communities across the country is of critical importance to this end.  Recent events have reconfirmed the validity of this argument.  We must not allow our efforts to flag!!!

But our efforts should certainly not be driven by primarily by our own selfish needs.  As Jews from around the world choose Canada as their new home - whether they come here to escape discrimination, anti-Semitism, imminent danger, financial hardship, or to join other family members who have already relocated - we must be sensitive and responsive to their needs.  JIAS Canada understands what immigrants go through when they arrive here and the hardships they endure as they begin their new lives.  With our service providers, we help them overcome their struggles with migration, settlement and integration into their new communities. 

At this time of year, as we approach the High Holidays and reflect on our past and on our future, we need to look beyond our own parochial and immediate needs.  In a world that seems to be becoming increasingly hostile to our people, Canada is one of the few countries that still provides a welcoming environment.  JIAS Canada continues to serve potential and new immigrants, and we must all ensure that our communities continue to be ready to do their part.

On behalf of my family as well as the entire Board and Staff of JIAS Canada, I want to wish all of you

Shanah tovah u'metukah
May you and your families have a good and sweet year!