Stories Celebrating 100 Years

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Jewish Immigrant Aid Services in Canada, JIAS Toronto is partnering with the Ontario Jewish Archives to collect and archive immigration stories from across the community. Our goal is to create a living and searchable virtual collection that will help capture and preserve our community's immigration history, diversity, and collective memory.

The questions below are just a guide to help prompt you to share meaningful information. If you prefer to write up your family's story in your own format, we invite you to please send a word document to jodib@jiastoronto.org.

Please read the Terms and Conditions before submitting this form.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Phone

City

Your year of birth

Your family member's story

Whose story are you sharing? What is your relationship to them? *Please note that if you would like to share multiple immigration stories, for each of your parents or grandparents, you should complete a different form for each unique journey!

When (or approximately when) did they come to Canada?

Did they immigrate on their own or with family members? Please list any accompanying family members if you are comfortable sharing this information.

Which country/countries did they emigrate from?

What were some of the main reasons that they immigrated (for example was their immigration planned, forced, or a combination)?

What were some of the challenges that they faced after arriving in Canada?

Where did they live when they first arrived in Canada and where do they or their descendants live now (These might be different parts of Canada, or merely different parts of the same city, i.e. Kensington market vs. Thornhill)?

What kind of work did they do after arriving in Canada?

Do you recall or know of one or more important milestones following their immigration? This might be a first job, an event/experience that was told and retold, a “host family” that helped welcome them, or a breakthrough or success of some kind.

Did the person(s) you are writing about affiliate with

Can you describe the Jewish life or community they were accustomed to/part of before immigrating (synagogue life, youth groups, secretly identifying, etc...)?

Can you describe some of the ways that they or their family members connect to Jewish and community life today?

Please share any other information or anecdotes that are significant to their immigration and settlement in Canada (for example: stories that have been passed down; any knowledge of a connection to/involvement with JIAS or another community organization).

Can you describe the community (cultural, religious, neighbourhood, social club, etc) that they affiliated with in their country of origin/interim country?

Please share any other information or anecdotes that are significant to their immigration and settlement in Canada (in general, with JIAS or another community organization).

Please use this field to upload a photo or document you wish to share (such as a family photo from country of origin or following immigration, immigration documents, old passport, etc.)

You can upload a second photo or document here. You are also welcome to send additional items by email to jodib@jiastoronto.org, or if you have physical items to donate and would like to be contacted by an archivist, click here.

Contact Information