For David Anzarouth, being named the new director of Ottawa Talmud Torah’s (OTT) supplementary school is both a new leadership role and a return to something that has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.

OTT, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, is one of the supplementary Jewish schools supported by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. With generations of history in Ottawa’s Jewish community, OTT is also an important part of Anzarouth’s own story. Born and raised in Ottawa, he attended OTT from kindergarten through Grade 8 before spending a year at Yitzhak Rabin High School.

A longtime member of Agudath Israel, which amalgamated with Congregation Beth Shalom to form Kehillat Beth Israel (KBI), Anzarouth grew up regularly attending synagogue with his family in a home where keeping kosher, celebrating Jewish holidays and participating in Jewish communal life were part of everyday life.

His connection to Jewish education was shaped particularly by his father, Ralph Anzarouth, whom he credits for instilling his appreciation for Jewish learning, Jewish life, and the meaning behind Jewish traditions.

“My passion for Judaism, the education that I’ve received, and the experiences that I’ve had are all thanks to my father,” Anzarouth said.

His father was also his first teacher, helping him prepare his Torah and Haftarah portions for his bar mitzvah. Now, Anzarouth hopes to provide a similar source of encouragement and inspiration for the next generation.

“If I can be a fraction of that to any of our youth today who are involved in our school and infuse in them the same type of passion and care for Jewish education at this early age, then I’m very excited to do so,” he said.

After living away from Ottawa for a while, Anzarouth moved back to the city two years ago and was then asked to fill in as a teacher at OTT. The experience quickly reconnected him with his longstanding passion for Jewish education. He had previously been involved with youth programming at KBI, helping create a program with his sister, family, and friends that evolved over the years.

Anzarouth sees his role as an opportunity to both carry on OTT’s legacy and help shape its next chapter. The school is increasingly integrated with KBI and the Conservative movement, a direction that Anzarouth believes is a natural fit given his own history with the shul.

One of his primary goals is to provide greater stability and clarity for families. Supplemental Jewish education has changed considerably since he attended OTT in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the program met three days per week. Today, like many programs, OTT has moved toward a primarily one-day-a-week model. 

With that evolution comes a need for families to understand exactly what their children will receive from kindergarten through graduation.

“I want to make sure that parents and their kids will understand what to expect from our program,” Anzarouth said. 

This includes developing a clearer educational pathway and improving communication between the school and families. Anzarouth views Jewish education as an investment, not just financially, but in time, energy, and creativity.

He also wants OTT to offer Jewish experiences that extend beyond the classroom. The school’s holiday programming, including Tu B’Shevat activities, a Purim carnival, a chocolate Seder, Hanukkah party, and other celebrations throughout the year, is one of the areas he is particularly excited about.

These programs are designed to make Jewish life accessible and enjoyable for entire families, while also opening the school’s doors to the broader community. 

Ultimately, Anzarouth sees education as a means through which the Jewish community strengthens itself. In a time of increased antisemitism, he believes the need for connection and community has never been more apparent.
“A more educated Jewish community provides a better, stronger Jewish community,” he said. 

As he begins his first year without the “interim” title, Anzarouth is focused on delivering the promises OTT makes to its students and families: meaningful Jewish learning, strong communication, and opportunities to experience Jewish life together.

To learn more about OTT and its programming, visit their website by clicking here. If you have questions, you can reach out to David Anzarouth directly by emailing him at [email protected].