The stereotype of the wandering Jew was born from the tragic history of the Jewish people.  Yet, in the 21st century, Jewish immigration still continues with Toronto considered a prime destination.
    
Over the last four years, increasing numbers of Argentinean Jews have been immigrating to Toronto and with the help of JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) Toronto, Beth Tzedec Congregation, and Toronto philanthropist Harold Wolfe, this new community is receiving a wonderful welcome.
   
Moved by the plight of Argentinean Jewry he witnessed on a recent trip to Buenos Aires, Wolfe looked for a way to help make their transition to life in Toronto as easy as possible.
   
“I realized there was much I could do,” said Wolfe. “The primary problem recent immigrants face is establishing social contacts with local Jews. While these contacts may or may not lead to long- lasting friendships, they, at least, help newcomers find out ordinary things and become self sufficient.”
   
In order to link Argentinean Jews with others in the community, Wolfe worked with JIAS – a partner agency of UJA Federation - on a special Shabbat service and lunch at Beth Tzedec.  The event would act as a catalyst for the Argentineans to meet community members and create a new network so desperately missing in their lives.
   
“What Harold and Carole Wolfe are doing gets to the heart of what is needed for new immigrants,” said JIAS executive director Janis Roth. “New immigrants want to become self sufficient. They want to work and contribute to the society that granted them a safe place to live. These kinds of initiatives, and others from the Toronto Jewish community, which offer a newcomer an opportunity to network, really tip the balance in the right direction and can make all the difference.”