Our Goal
For 60 years, Ottawa Modern Jewish School (OMJS) has established itself as the non-affiliated, supplemental school offering quality Jewish education to all Jewish students in Ottawa for Kindergarten to Grade 7, with an optional B’nai Mitzvah program.
As the only non-affiliated supplemental school meeting at the Soloway JCC, in the centre of the Jewish community, OMJS attracts diverse families and students including non-religious/affiliated and mixed faith/culture families. Our families come from Carp to Orleans and Gatineau to Manotick.
At OMJS You can be You!
School Calendar
Our Curriculum
OMJS connects children with their Jewish roots and cultural heritage. Through Hebrew language learning, holiday programs, Jewish value exploration, and intergenerational activities with the resident. Our Curriculums of Hillel Lodge, our students feel a connection to Jews of the past, present, and future.
We use Shalom Learning as the anchor Jewish values and holidays and Torah Aura: Learn to Read for Hebrew decoding and reading skills.
Jewish Identity
What does it mean to live a “Jewish” life?
OMJS celebrates the diversity of Jewish identity with all our families and students. We welcome students from all Jewish backgrounds and family structures.
Holidays
Learn about and celebrate each Jewish holiday in time with the Jewish calendar. We use the events and spaces at the JCC to help make each holiday and memorable experience. We also have several family programs throughout the year, so everyone has a chance to learn and celebrate.
Israel
OMJS values the role Israel plays to diaspora Jews in the modern world.
Experience Israel through dance and song. Taste Israel through food. Understand Israel through visits from Israeli friends.
Modern Hebrew
Hebrew unites Jews all over the world. It is our common language. OMJS teaches modern Hebrew reading/decoding skills through Torah Aura Hebrew learning curriculum, and teaches some Hebrew vocabulary and phrases as part of our “Ulpan” lessons.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
OMJS is proud to offer a unique group B’nai Mitzvah program for students in Grade 7. Traditionally, the Bar or Bat Mitzvah rite is marked with being called to the Torah for an Aliyah for the first time. OMJS uses the year to explore with students what they value now and how that can guide them as Jewish adults. We discuss one’s relationship to G-d, what makes up a synagogue service, Jewish family treasures, writing a D’var Torah, and more.
Jewish Art and Music
OMJS uses art and movement as a part of our everyday lessons. We believe in multi-sensory teaching to engage learners of all types and ensure that every student connects with the material every week.
Our Partners
Jewish Federation of Ottawa
The Jewish federation of Ottawa raises and allocates funds to provide life-saving, life-changing and life-enhancing experiences for Jews in Ottawa and around the globe. The Federation works to translate Jewish values into social action through four pillars: building, educating, helping and supporting.
OMJS is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa
SJCC
Everyone is welcome at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Whether you are here to workout in the fitness centre, shoot baskets in the gym, to take an educational class, or for a holiday celebration, you will feel a sense of belonging the minute you walk through our doors. The Soloway JCC offers hundreds of high quality and unique programs for every age and interest and we are committed to excellence in everything we do.
Supplementary School Tuition Incentive Program
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO) is proud to launch a two-year tuition incentive program to ensure Jewish education is accessible to everyone. For families who are enrolling students for the first time in supplementary schools in the fall of 2023 JFO will cover $500 of the tuition in the first year and $250 in the second year. This incentive is for all families raising Jewish children. Click here to find out more.
