A WARM WINNIPEG WELCOME BEGINS WITH JEWISH CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE
by Merrill Shwaid in Winnipeg 

Jewish Child and Family Service’s Newcomer /Integration program has one been especially active the past few years. The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg has made a concerted effort to encourage emigration to the Jewish community through an initiative called Growinnipeg. As a result, there has been a steady flow of new families with young children who have arrived in the past few years. Many come from Argentina, the former Soviet Union as well as Israel. In Winnipeg Jewish Child and Family Service (JCFS) Resettlement and Integration programs are heavily involved in assisting them in facilitating a successful transition into the community.

Newcomers participating in a workshop that will help them learn more about the community

Besides the efforts that are made on their behalf to locate suitable housing, appropriate schooling and upgrading in their field of employment there are a number of ongoing workshops that have been organized and have been well attended by many of the newcomers. Sessions on preparing Canadian tax forms, English classes for stay at home moms and seniors are examples of programs that are designed to give newcomers the skills they need to feel at home in Winnipeg. 

The community has also made efforts to encourage social connections so that new families are meeting others and feel a sense of friendship and belonging. For example, special arrangements were made with the synagogues to include new families in the Jewish holiday celebrations. For example, during Pesach the Agency was very involved in making sure that every family that wishes to was included in a Passover seder. Efforts to provide new families with kosher for Passover food supplies were included in our annual Passover Assistance program. 

Laura and Diego Lanchuske, Sergio and Patricia Vulej from Argentina meet after a workshop

The Host Family program is another way in which the agency supports the resettlement and integration of families into the community. Newcomers are matched with Canadian families who can offer friendship, advice and important introductions. Efforts are made to pair host families who have common interests and backgrounds and /or children of similar ages. Sometimes, linking a young family with an older couple works out well. The newcomers gain from the involvement of surrogate parents and their children benefit from grandparents in their lives. Recently immigrants who have been in Winnipeg for several years have come forward to become Hosts to more recent arrivals. They are anxious to show their appreciation for the welcome they received when they arrived. They have first hand knowledge of what the challenges are in coming to a new country and starting a new life. Their friendship is invaluable particularly in the critical first few months when there is so much that is new and different to deal with.

There are plans to develop more programs and initiatives to support the needs of our new families. The talent, energy and involvement of newcomers in Winnipeg Jewish community life have enriched our community. 

Merrill Shwaid is the Public Relations Co-ordinator for Jewish Child and Family Service in Winnipeg