Ottawa Jewish Archives

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21 Nadolny Sachs Private
Ottawa, ON K2A 1R9
Phone: (613) 798-4696 ext.260
Fax: (613) 798-4695
E-mail: archives@jewishottawa.com

Hours: Monday to Thursday 10- 4 (Jewish and Statutory Holidays excluded).

The Ottawa Jewish Archives is dedicated to the objectives of gathering, recording and preserving the collective memory of the Jewish community of Ottawa; and of making the holdings of historical records, memorabilia, and artifacts accessible to all persons for their use, well being and enjoyment. Our archival holdings include:

400 hundred feet of arranged collections with finding aids
Marriage registers (l898 - l950)
2500 photographs and 1000 negatives
Biographical files, posters and architectural plans
Cassettes and video tapes
The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin from l937 to the present
Some artifacts

NEWS

Ottawa Jewish Archives Web Site
Welcome to the Ottawa Jewish Archives' web site. Through it, information about the OJA's services, activities, and holdings are accessible to local residents and researchers worldwide alike. A 'Links' section provides ready access to selected Internet sites of other Canadian archives, historical societies, and related information at the national, provincial, and regional level.

Ottawa Jewish Archives Joins ARCHEION and Archives Canada
134 descriptions of collections mark the beginning of making the Ottawa Jewish Archives' holdings known to Canadians and other researchers over the Internet through ARCHEION, Ontario's archival information network. Additional collection descriptions have since been prepared and many more will be loaded during the coming months. Descriptions from ARCHEION are loaded periodically to a national databank called Archives Canada. The project is supported, in part, through a grant from the Canadian Council of Archives in collaboration with the Archives Association of Ontario. For your convenience, links to the ARCHEION and Archives Canada web sites are provided below.

Launch of reel to reel preservation
In 2007, through the generosity of the Ottawa Jewish Historical Society, the archives transferred their reel to reel collection to CD-ROM format. This allows patrons the opportunity to listen to interviews conducted nearly 25 years ago.
Please click here to see the list of interviews and events which have been transfered.

EXHIBITS
Thematic selections of the Archives' holdings are displayed on the second floor of the Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building as well as on the ground floor of Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge.

*New Exhibit coming soon.

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE OTTAWA JEWISH ARCHIVES

Research
Researchers may submit research requests by mail, telephone, fax, or electronic mail, but extensive research cannot be done by the Archives staff. With any request, please include your name, organization (if any), telephone number, mailing address, e-mail address, and fax number. Archival records may only be consulted in the Archives. Researchers planning to visit the Archives in person to conduct research are advised to make an appointment. The Archives is open to the public Monday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is closed on Jewish and statutory holidays.

Reproductions
Many archival records may be reproduced, either by photocopying, photographic reproduction, or other means, depending on the type of record. Records which, in the opinion of the Archivist, are too fragile to be copied or duplicated without damage or which are subject to restrictions may not be reproduced. Reproductions may be ordered for personal or research purposes only. Any commercial use or publication requires written permission. Researchers are responsible for determining the copyright status of records and for obtaining permission to copy. For more information concerning reproductions, including current fees, payment options, and processing times, please contact the Archives.

Donations
The Ottawa Jewish Archives works closely with the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa and other local Jewish organizations and individuals to ensure that records and artifacts which have historical or legal value are not lost or destroyed. The Archives acquires its holdings by donation. Communal organizations, as well as private individuals, are encouraged to donate to the Archives their own records or those of others in their possession. Some of the many kinds of records and artifacts which would be welcomed by the Archives include: minutes and reports, correspondence, legal papers, financial records, diaries, manuscripts, photographs, medals, awards, and religious vestments. Please address all inquiries regarding donations to the Archivist.

Holdings
The holdings of the Ottawa Jewish Archives include collections of congregational, educational, communal organization, and personal and family records. Collections vary in size from one or two items to dozens of boxes. Click on a category heading below to display a list of collection names. The Ottawa Jewish Archives is a partner in Archives Canada, through Ontario's archival information network, ARCHEION (see Links). Asterisked entries indicate collections for which more complete descriptions are available online in ARCHEION or Archives Canada.

Congregational Holdings

Educational Holdings

Communal Organizations

Personal or Family Collections

Business Holdings

Gallery
Thousands of photographs enrich the holdings of the Ottawa Jewish Archives. Click on the link below to see some scenes of the Byward market and its Jewish merchants. Additional photographs will be added to this site as time and resources permit.

Commerce

Links
A selective list of links to web sites of Canadian Jewish archives and historical societies is provided below. Also included are links to national and provincial archives, archival information networks, and related resources.

ARCHEION: Ontario's Archival Information Network

Archives Canada

Archives of Ontario

Canadian Archival Resources on the Internet

Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives

Canadian Jewish Virtual Museum and Archives

Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa

Heritage of the Jewish Religion in Ottawa

Jewish Archives & Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta

Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada

Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia

Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta