Ottawa Jewish Historical Society

01/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined our Zoom lecture last night on the internment of Jewish refugees in Canada. For anyone who missed it or would like to watch again, you can do so here:

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12/03/2025

Join us January 15 on Zoom to listen to author Ian Darragh discuss the harrowing experience of Jewish refugees who were imprisoned in internment camps in Canada during the Second World War.

Among the interned refugees were doctors, musicians, artists, engineers, architects, scientists and two future Nobel Prize winners. Some of the Jewish internees were survivors of Buchenwald and Dachau and were dealing with severe trauma. Many were teenagers as young as 16 who had been saved from the Holocaust by the Kindertransport program, only to be arrested by the British as enemy aliens. Despite facing harsh and hostile treatment in Canada, these internees demonstrated remarkable determination.

Ian Darragh will illustrate his talk with photos and artwork created by the refugees themselves. He will describe the ambitious plans to commemorate this little-known chapter in Canadian history which holds many lessons for today.

Date: Thursday January 15, 2026
Time: 7:00pm
Via Zoom
Cost: FREE

09/22/2025

Best wishes to all for the year ahead! Shana Tova!

09/02/2025

✨ Big News! ✨

The very first SolowayJCC Jewish Book Festival is here! 📚🎉

Join us on October 23, 24 & 26 for three unforgettable days packed with inspiring author talks, lively book signings, and opportunities to connect with fellow book lovers in our community.

Don’t miss out! Grab your tickets today and be part of this brand-new celebration of Jewish stories, culture, and connection!

🎟 Tickets & full festival details: jccottawa.com/jewish-bookfest

09/02/2025

Happy first day of school! Check out these photos from the Ottawa Jewish Archives collection of Talmud Torah classes of the past!

08/18/2025

We're 3 weeks away from our next lecture with the Greenberg Families Library!

Grab your tickets and hear about the history of Larocque's Department store from Robert Vineberg.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ojhs.ca/shop/p/larocques-a-personal-history-lecture

Join us and the Greenberg Families Library on September 9th at the Soloway JCC to listen to the history of Larocque’s Department store from Robert Vineberg himself.

Until 1971 Larocque’s was an independent—and bilingual—department store at the corner of Rideau and Dalhousie Streets. It was one of several department stores on Rideau Street and in the Market, several of which were owned and operated by families from Ottawa’s Jewish community. Larocque’s was also the only identifiable French Canadian department store in Ottawa and became an institution for the largely French-Canadian residents of Ottawa’s Lowertown for almost 50 years. The author’s personal story of Larocque’s combines facts and memories—of the people, the business and the building that were also central to his family for 45 years.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ojhs.ca/shop/p/larocques-a-personal-history-lecture

07/29/2025

Join us and the Greenberg Families Library on September 9th at the Soloway JCC to listen to the history of Larocque’s Department store from Robert Vineberg himself.

Until 1971 Larocque’s was an independent—and bilingual—department store at the corner of Rideau and Dalhousie Streets. It was one of several department stores on Rideau Street and in the Market, several of which were owned and operated by families from Ottawa’s Jewish community. Larocque’s was also the only identifiable French Canadian department store in Ottawa and became an institution for the largely French-Canadian residents of Ottawa’s Lowertown for almost 50 years. The author’s personal story of Larocque’s combines facts and memories—of the people, the business and the building that were also central to his family for 45 years.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.ojhs.ca/shop/p/larocques-a-personal-history-lecture

05/28/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who came out of our talk last night on the history of Jewish life on Rideau Street. David C. Martin gave a wonderful presentation and with nearly 150 people in attendance, it was a resounding success!

For anyone who missed the event or would like to rewatch it, you can do so through the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zpjQl8Baj0&t=7s

05/07/2025

One of Canada’s greatest legal scholars, Bora Laskin, overcame antisemitism to become the first Jewish Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Check out this new by Historica Canada celebrating his legacy in honour of Jewish Heritage Month here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9iGFZLOuio

05/06/2025

May is Jewish Heritage Month!

At the Greenberg Families Library we honour the rich history, culture, and countless contributions of the Jewish community. From traditions that span centuries to the voices shaping our world today, Jewish heritage is vibrant, resilient, and inspiring.

Let’s take this time to celebrate, learn, and stand together!