Ottawa Landmark Opens as Chabad Home for Jewish Youth

The grand opening and building dedication of the Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa and Chabad of Wellington West took place on July 12, drawing 150 people to mark a significant community milestone.

The event celebrated more than four decades of work by Dr. Joseph and Devora Caytak, and formally introduced the next phase of leadership under their son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Moshe and Sheina Caytak.

The newly renovated Connor House, a Prairie Style residence built in 1915 and designed by Ottawa architect Francis Sullivan, an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright, now houses the centre. The restoration preserves the building's architectural heritage while establishing a new home for Jewish life in the capital.

City Councillors David Hill and Jeff Leiper attended the celebration, as did lead donor Rose Anne Friedman. Internationally renowned author Rabbi David Eliezrie delivered the keynote address.

The Caytaks established the Jewish Youth Library in 1983 in a basement corner. Over the decades, their initiatives expanded to include the Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool, Camp Gan Israel, Friendship Circle, adult education, and various family and holiday programs. The library's growing collection eventually required storage due to space constraints.

When the Connor House at 166 Huron Avenue North became available in 2020, the Caytaks recognized it as an ideal permanent home for the library and a suitable location for a new Chabad centre serving the Wellington West neighbourhood. The renovation process required years of obtaining permits for the historic structure.

The centre embodies a vision rooted in calls for public Jewish libraries in every community, making Jewish resources accessible to all. The restored building now houses one of the few stand-alone Jewish libraries globally, containing nearly 20,000 books, periodicals, rare Hebrew volumes, Holocaust resources, and Judaica. The space includes multiple reading rooms for browsing, borrowing, research, and study.

Beyond the library, the building serves as the permanent home of Chabad of Wellington West, which offers programs for young professionals and families in the neighbourhood.

The opening arrives as other local Jewish institutions, including a newspaper, kosher bakery, and school, have recently closed.

A fundraising campaign launched in 2025 seeks approximately $3.6 million for the purchase, renovation, and furnishing of the centre. Half that goal has been met, leaving $1.8 million to be raised.