At OTT School, our mission revolves around a comprehensive understanding of Judaism both as a religion and as a people. Throughout the course of our program, our students will gain the benefits of learning Hebrew, developing a connection to Israel, understanding Jewish history, and nurturing a love for Torah and the Jewish people.
Furthermore, our partnership with Kehillat Beth Israel provides additional opportunities for our students. As part of the OTT@KBI initiative, our students are encouraged to participate in all KBI programming and learn from its clergy. This allows them to benefit from the amazing programming and spiritual leadership that Kehillat Beth Israel has to offer, fostering a rich and deep connection with their Jewish heritage.
Principle
Meet the principal: Sasha Kathron is our new Director of Youth Education and Programming at KBI. Responsible for all things youth and family programming as well as Running OTT at KBI. Sasha is originally from Ottawa, having grown up in Kanata. Moved to Kingston for university where Sasha received an Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology. Then moved to Israel and spent a year teaching as part of the Masa Israel Teaching Fellows program. Extended the stay in Israel to pursue independent Jewish learning and attended Neve Yerushalayim seminary for the summer.
Since returning to Ottawa in 2018, Sasha has been working at Hillel Ottawa. As director of Hillel Ottawa, helped foster and grow a Jewish community for university students. Also spent time teaching Jewish learning classes and fighting anti-Semitism on campus.
Jk/ SK
Gr.1/2
Gr.1/2
Gr. 3/4
Gr. 5/6
Gr. 7/8
Educational Assistant
The Ottawa Talmud Torah Board board was organized in 1923 after a few prior attempts in the early 1900s.
The five synagogues of Ottawa, which previously had their own afternoon schools, amalgamated all local Talmud Torahs and purchased a public school building at 171 George Street.
In 1949, after securing the former Rideau Street Public School building at 453 Rideau Street, the Ottawa Hebrew Day School was launched with 13 children. This was the beginning of Hillel Academy. With the completion of the Jewish Community Centre, the school moved into the Centre in 1960, and the name of the Hebrew Day School changed to Ottawa Hillel Academy.
In the west end, the Afternoon Hebrew School that started in the Fairmount Building moved first to Rosemount, and then in 1959 into the new premises attached to the Agudath Israel Synagogue. The west end branch of Hillel Academy opened at the same time. In keeping with population location, a branch of the Afternoon School was opened in 1965 at the Alta Vista Public School.
In the fall of 1983, the Jewish Community Campus was established at 881 Broadview when the St. Joseph Junior School was purchased, and two branches of Hillel Academy were consolidated.
