Canada: Information on the goals, activities and registration of people seeking the services of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS) in Ottawa

In Ottawa, the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS) is handled by the Jewish Family Services (JFS). The following information was provided by the JFS immigrant settlement worker in a telephone interview on 4 October 1994.

The JFS helps newcomers, whether landed immigrants, independents or refugees, settle into Canadian society. Individuals of all religions and nationalities have access to its services.

The application or registration procedure for a newcomer to the JFS immigrant resettlement service requires that a file be opened by the immigrant settlement worker, into which are placed copies of all papers found within the individual's passport, including the landed immigrant or refugee papers. The individual's name, Canadian address and phone number, date of birth, country of birth, profession in country of nationality, and names of accompanying family members are also included in the file. No additional information is required, nor does the individual have to fill out a registration form.

The JFS immigrant settlement program offers counselling and assistance in the following areas: airport reception, documentation (SIN, OHIP), accommodation and job search, translation and cultural interpretation, advocacy and access issues, integration, cross-cultural parenting and employment assistance. JFS can also provide newcomers with second-hand donated furniture. For those who request religious education for their children, JFS makes the necessary arrangements, and where possible, also attempts to organize sleep-away religious camps. Services are multilingual and are offered in English, French, German, Italian, Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian, Hungarian, Romanian, Czech, Polish and Chinese.

The JFS serves newcomers from any country, regardless of religion. The majority of its clientele are from Russia, many of whom have only one Jewish parent or grandparent. JFS receives Canadian government grants to settle its clientele. On average JFS receives approximately 6 new couples, or about 15-20 newcomers, per month, each of whom has indefinite access to JFS services. These newcomers tend to participate most actively in JFS programmes during the first two years of settlement; as they become more settled in Canadian society, they tend to require fewer JFS services. However, these newcomers often remain in touch with JFS over the years and continue to participate in its various programmes as the need arises.

In addition to the services mentioned above, every five or six weeks JFS runs various workshops for its clientele. Workshop subjects include education, integration, computer courses, an introduction to Jewish holidays and instruction on the rights of landed immigrants. A Hanukkah party is held every year, and at Passover, extensive food baskets are distributed among its clientele.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Jewish Family Service (JFS), Ottawa. 4 October 1994. Telephone interview with immigrant settlement worker.