Support is available at Jewish Family Services Edmonton

by Meital Siva-Jain

(JFSE) – When people first learn I wasn’t born in Canada (my accent is a strong hint), they often ask why I chose to settle in Edmonton.

Why Edmonton

It’s a fair question – Edmonton is very different from my hometown of Tel Aviv and from other major Canadian cities. While the weather wasn’t the deciding factor, Edmonton has allowed me to build a life here, and much of my successful settlement is thanks to the support I received from local non-profit organizations.

Twenty years ago, I arrived in Edmonton without ever having seen snow or experienced below-zero temperatures. A few days after landing, my roommate invited me to join a group of immigrant Jewish women hosted by Jewish Family Services Edmonton (JFSE). Having never accessed social services before—and despite my strong Israeli sense of independence and confidence—I am grateful I gave it a try. Through this group, I met some of my closest friends, and today, in 2026, I have the privilege of offering similar support to new members of our community.

Why JFSE

Friends and family form our natural support systems, but newcomers often need to build these networks from scratch while navigating employment, housing, education, and health services in a new country. Early in my time in Edmonton, once I became familiar with JFSE, I sought guidance through the challenges of settling in a new city and, later on, managing the demands of parenthood—or simply having a listening ear when I needed one. Even small gestures, such as receiving a Passover food basket during COVID, helped me feel less isolated and stay connected to my faith.

Over the past two decades, I have come full circle. Jewish Family Services not only supported my own journey but also enabled me to continue contributing to the Jewish community, especially over the past two years, when some spaces have felt less welcoming.

Today, JFSE supports approximately 10% of Edmonton’s Jewish population, offering services that range from practical assistance—such as navigating government applications and accessing food resources—to mental health support, Older Adults Services, workshops, and one-on-one guidance.

Some clients seek support from a Jewish organization because of their familiarity with Jewish culture, while others may not have met a Jewish person before arriving at JFSE. Our Outreach team have been supporting new immigrants from many countries, including Israel, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Russia, and many more.

What to Expect When You Call Us

When you first access our Outreach Services, you will meet with a community worker or social worker to share your challenges and goals. We will ask a few questions—in English, Russian, or Hebrew—to better understand your circumstances, identify your priorities, and create an action plan. Please know that we take your personal information seriously and maintain strict confidentiality, ensuring you receive support in a safe, respectful, and private environment.

While we may not always have an immediate solution, we will support you as you explore your options and take the next steps.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, we plan to continue expanding our social support services and reach more people in the Edmonton community. We emphasize our relationships with local Jewish institutions and work collaboratively with synagogues to ensure community members do not face financial barriers when celebrating Jewish holidays or practicing their Judaism.

As part of our ongoing settlement and integration efforts, we have been supporting job seekers for the past year. Beyond earning a living, employment contributes to our sense of self-worth and belonging.

This February, we plan to offer a workshop to help job seekers prepare for job interviews in Canada. Whether you recently arrived in Edmonton or are a long-time community member, you are welcome to join our workshop and connect with us to learn more about our community events.

Note: JFSE Outreach Services is supported by generous donors, including the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Jewish Community Charitable Foundation.

Meital Siva-Jain is Manager of Outreach Services at JFSE.