Jewish Ottawa

Local news and updates on the Jewish community of Ottawa.

Caring for the vulnerable a top priority

Agencies and organizations that serve the vulnerable in the Jewish community are rising to the challenge of meeting their clients’ enhanced needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Louise Rachlis reports.

‘As a health care facility looking after vulnerable seniors, we have had to restrict acce…

Advice for Passover 2020: ‘Just do your best’

By Louise Rachlis

‘Guess what we got in the mail today!” enthused my daughter Naomi in Brampton over FaceTime. “PJ Library Haggadahs!”

The child-friendly sets of Haggadahs sent to PJ Library families were particularly welcome this year as everyone is faced with a different kind of …

Holocaust survivor becomes successful businessman and artist

For Maxwell Smart, Yom HaShoah is the remembrance day for his family, who were all murdered by the Nazis. He tells his story of resilience to Louise Rachlis.

‘It’s a very scary thing. My age is very high and I’m very vulnerable,” said Holocaust survivor and artist Maxwell Smart of t…

Ottawa congregations adapt to COVID-19

Synagogues are utilizing online learning and – in some cases – holding online services to help congregants cope.

By Michael Regenstreif, Editor

In view of the social-distancing and self-isolating measures mandated to help flatten the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin survey…

Jewish Ottawa Helps!

A rapidly-growing Facebook group is helping community members cope with COVID-19.

By Michael Regenstreif, Editor

On Sunday, March 15, with normal life in the city – indeed, across the country and around the world – on hold as we take social-distancing and self-isolating measures to mit…