On June 6th, 2026, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Canada hosted its second benefit evening.

Following the first benefit evening, which supported the Vietnamese community, JRS Canada wished to support the Syrian and Lebanese communities. A moment of silence was observed at the beginning of the evening to reflect on the conflicts currently taking place in the Middle East.

Upon arrival, participants were invited to take a photo with Middle Eastern props in the photo booth. Guests could choose from colorful veils, hats, fake mustaches, and fun props for their photos. Families and children seemed to have a lot of fun during this activity, which was the idea of one of the evening’s committee members, Clara Attalah.

The evening was hosted by the Country Director of JRS Canada, Norbert Piché. In his welcome word, he encouraged everyone to introduce themselves to at least one person they didn’t know. He then shared his positive experiences at parties in Latin America, where people dance a lot. Naturally, he encouraged guests to seize this opportunity during the event. With a Lebanese singer performing at the event, the stage was set. Later on, parents and children gathered on the dance floor to practice the steps of the traditional dabke and tarboosh dances.

Participants also enjoyed a typically Lebanese menu provided by Les Meilleurs, a Lebanese catering service. The plates were filled with hummus, muhammara, baba ghanoush, fattoush, and other delicious, classic dishes of Lebanese cuisine.

A testimonial was also shared by a father who is a refugee from Syria. His story sparked several questions from the audience, who showed a curiosity regarding government procedures for obtaining refugee status in Canada. The questions were simple, but the answers were complex. They reflected the reality of the current situation for refugees trying to settle in Canada.

The evening concluded with the distribution of raffle prizes, which included Arabic perfume, two spiritual retreats at the Montreal Ignatian Spirituality Centre, tickets to the Beaubien Cinema, several art paintings, and much more.