The grand opening and building dedication of the newly renovated Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa and Chabad of Wellington West on July 12 brought together 150 people to celebrate a major community milestone.
It marked the culmination of more than four decades of shlichus by Dr. Joseph and Devora Caytak and the beginning of an exciting new chapter under the leadership of their son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Moshe and Sheina Caytak.
Housed in the beautifully restored Connor House, a landmark Prairie Style residence built in 1915 and designed by renowned Ottawa architect Francis Sullivan, an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright, the new centre combines architectural heritage with a vibrant vision for Jewish life in Canada’s capital.
The celebration included greetings from Ottawa City Councillors David Hill and Jeff Leiper, as well as lead donor Rose Anne Friedman. The keynote address was delivered by internationally renowned author Rabbi David Eliezrie.
The opening represented the realization of a dream decades in the making. The Caytaks founded the Jewish Youth Library in 1983 in a corner of their basement. As the programs they initiated expanded over the years, including the Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool, Camp Gan Israel, Friendship Circle, adult education, and numerous family and holiday programs, the library’s growing collection was gradually forced into storage for lack of adequate space.
When the Caytaks learned in 2020 that the historic Connor House at 166 Huron Avenue North was for sale, they envisioned the stately three-storey residence as the ideal permanent home worthy of the Jewish Youth Library. It was also perfectly suited to become a new Chabad centre to serve the rapidly growing Wellington West neighbourhood. The journey from purchase to grand opening was lengthy, involving years of obtaining permits to renovate the historic structure.
The centre reflects a vision inspired by the Rebbe’s longstanding call for public Jewish libraries in every community, making Jewish books and learning accessible to all. That vision has guided the Caytaks’ work since the library’s founding and now finds expression in a permanent home designed to inspire learning, connection, and Jewish pride for generations to come.
Unique Stand-Alone Jewish Library
Following an extensive renovation, the building now houses one of the few stand-alone Jewish libraries in the world. Its collection of nearly 20,000 books, periodicals, rare Hebrew volumes, Holocaust resources, and Judaica spans virtually every area of Jewish life and learning. Visitors can browse, borrow books, conduct research, or simply enjoy reading in one of several inviting reading rooms.
Beyond the library, the restored building serves as the permanent home of Chabad of Wellington West. Since arriving in the neighbourhood, Rabbi Moshe and Sheina Caytak have developed a warm and welcoming community and an array of programs for young professionals and families.
The opening of a vibrant new Jewish institution in Ottawa is particularly uplifting in light of other local Jewish organizations that recently shuttered, including a Jewish newspaper, kosher bakery, and school.
A campaign launched in 2025 to raise about $3.6M to cover the purchase, renovation, and furnishing of the new center has been halfway fulfilled, with a remaining $1.8M to be raised.
To learn more, contact Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa at [email protected] or 613-729-1619, and/or Chabad of Wellington West at [email protected] or 613-902-4394.
