Limmud Toronto 2021

The first Jewish permanent resident in Toronto arrived in 1838, making way for the growth and development of Canada’s largest and most diverse Jewish community. From 1901 to 1927, the Jewish population of Canada grew from under 17,000 to 125,000, with Ontario and Quebec each having close to 50,000 Jewish residents. It was during this period that the newly formed Canadian Jewish Congress formed the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society of Canada, which later changed its name to Jewish Immigrant Aid Services.

The Jewish community in the GTA continues to grow thanks to immigration – and may be seen as a microcosm of the global Jewish community. In recent years, JIAS Toronto has welcomed Jewish newcomers from around the world, including (but not limited to!) various republics of the Former Soviet Union, Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, Turkey, India, South Africa, Australia, and of course Israel. Join us at Limmud to meet current-day Jewish immigrants from far-flung communities and explore what drew them to GTA, some of the challenges they’ve faced, the surprises of resettlement, and how they’re connecting Jewishly!

[*Note that this panel session will feature 4 immigrants from any of the various countries... we will submit speakers/bios if/when the session is approved: India, Mexico, Brazil, France, Turkey, Russia, Israel]