While the Jewish community is spread out all around Ottawa, there are currently four neighbourhoods that host the majority of the Jewish infrastructure and therefore have strong local Jewish populations. Click on any of the neighbourhoods squared below to find out more about these neighbourhoods.
The Alta Vista neighbourhood is known for its tightknit, close, and supportive Jewish community. Centered on its vibrant Orthodox synagogue – Machzikei Hadas - Jewish residents of Alta Vista enjoy an active social life and outstanding Jewish holiday activities.
The neighbourhood itself is located a short drive to downtown, while those who work in healthcare might be especially attracted to the community’s proximity to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Hospital’s General Campus, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and the University of Ottawa School of Medicine.
Those who enjoy running and walking will appreciate easy access to the Rideau Canal, Mooney’s Bay Park, and the Rideau River Pathway, while those who love being outdoors in winter will enjoy the many skating rinks throughout the community.
While only a 15-20 minute drive to the Jewish schools, Alta Vista has school bus service to both day schools (TDSO and OJCS). The Alta Vista community is also attractive for those whose children excel in arts, as it is home to Canterbury high school, Ottawa’s elite arts-focused public high school.
Real estate options include rental apartments, affordable townhouses and many single family homes of various sizes.
Congregation Machzikei Hadas
Cedars Grocery (Kosher Section)
Creative Kosher Catering
YugiRolls Asian Food
Young Israel of Ottawa
Chabad Lubavitch of Ottawa
Kehillat Beth Israel
Chabad of Wellington West
The Hillel Lodge Minyan
Soloway Jewish Community Centre
Hillel Lodge Long Term Care Facility
Early Beginnings Child Development Daycare
Ganon Jewish Preschool
The Ottawa Jewish Community School
Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool
Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa
Ottawa Jewish Community Mikvah
The Westboro/Carlington neighbourhood is a friendly, safe, midtown-like neighbourhood. As home to the Jewish Community Center, the Ottawa Jewish Community School, mikvah, Hillel Lodge Retirement Residence, Jewish camps, and Orthodox and Conservative synagogues, Westboro is, for many Ottawans, the heart of Jewish life in the city. Located close to the bridge to Gatineau, Quebec, the neighbourhood also offers easy access to the deep woods, hiking, and green space, along with the convenience of city living - full of grocery stores, restaurants, community centers, and recreational facilities.
Despite its reputation as a 'trendy' part of town, Westboro/Carligton is deeply family-oriented, offering a variety of real estate options - both rental and for purchase - to meet any family's needs. And once you're here, you'll be surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial establishments, as well as family-centered resources, parks, camps, and activities, all offered just a short drive or transit trip from the downtown core.
The Centerpointe/Craig Henry neighbourhood is a safe, family-friendly neighbourhood, and is home to approximately 1700 Jews, the highest concentration of Jewish community in Ottawa.
Housing options include rentals and home ownership of row houses, townhomes, and single family homes of all sizes.
Boasting a gorgeous community theatre, recreation center, and one of the city’s nicest municipal libraries, it’s a community that offers superb resources for young, growing Jewish families. Cyclists, runners and walkers will enjoy easy access to Ottawa’s Greenbelt, linking parks and green spaces, and both these neighbourhoods are on the new light rail line which will make commuting to downtown only a 15 minute trek.
This area's close proximity to two kosher grocery stores and to Torah Day School of Ottawa makes these neighbourhoods quite appealing for young Jewish families.
Congregation Beit Tikvah of Ottawa
Chabad of Centrepointe
College Square Loblaws (Kosher section)
Greenbank Metro (Kosher section)
Torah Day School of Ottawa
Ottawa National Council of Synagogue Youth (NCSY)
Keepin' it Vegan
Chabad Hebrew School
Barrhaven, sometimes called the southern gateway to Canada’s capital city, is built for families. From its abundance of playgrounds, to its numerous splash pads, community centers, sports and recreation facilities, it’s a booming suburb with all the conveniences you’d expect. Plazas are filled with all the stores your families will need, and an established (and ever growing) public transit system means getting around has never been easier.
Barrhaven is a 25-35 minute drive from Ottawa’s downtown core, as well as being a short drive from Ottawa’s airport and just under an hour from the American border. It has its own Viarail station, making commutes to Toronto and Montreal fast and easy.
Barrhaven also connects to the Greenbelt and runs alongside the Rideau River, so biking and hiking trails are plentiful. Barrhaven has very affordable real estate, and its public secondary schools score exceptionally well on provincial tests.
While the four neighbourhoods above host the majority of the Ottawa Jewish infrastructure, there are some smaller groups of Jewish families living downtown, in Orleans and in Gatineau. There is also a significant Israeli presence in Kanata/Stittsville.
Click the buttons below to check out their Facebook groups and discover more.
Note: There are no synagogues or Jewish schools in these neighbourhoods, with the exception of a Chabad house in Kanata.
