In his new role as the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Community Relationship Coordinator, Amos Bitzan brings a unique blend of scholarly expertise, administrative experience, and a passion for Jewish life.
Formerly a professor of Jewish history with a decade of academic work under his belt, Bitzan steps into a community-centred position eager to foster engagement, build connections, and enrich communal life.
Having taught subjects ranging from the history of the Shoah and antisemitism to broader Jewish historical narratives, his academic foundation was laid at institutions like Princeton University and the University of California at Berkeley.
Bitzan’s journey took him from postdoctoral research at Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania to a professorship in Wisconsin. But academia, while deeply fulfilling, began to feel limited in its reach.
“I wanted to draw on Jewish history and Jewish studies, not only for academic purposes but for community building,” he explained. “I started wanting to reach a broader audience, beyond just the academic one.”
That shift became real during a sabbatical year spent in Jerusalem, where he and his wife taught at Hebrew University just as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded.
The experience solidified his desire to step outside of academia and engage more directly with Jewish communities. Soon after, they relocated to Toronto and later to Ottawa, a city with strong family ties and a vibrant but smaller Jewish population.
In Ottawa, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Torah Day School, overseeing both administrative and educational operations.
“It was a demanding role,” said Bitzan, “but it gave me deep insight into the community and showed me how Jewish education operates at a foundational level.”
Now, at Federation, he hopes to leverage that experience toward broader community impact.
“There’s a lot of potential here,” he said. “The community’s smaller size allows for visibility, connection, and entrepreneurial energy. You can meet people, collaborate, and make things happen.”
A key area of focus for him will be bringing in those on the edges of Jewish life, particularly newcomers from Israel and Russian-speaking regions, who may not yet feel fully connected. With personal ties to these groups, both through his own and his wife's backgrounds, Bitzan is especially attuned to their experiences and potential.
His passion extends to intergenerational connection as well. Living in Ottawa’s Craig Henry neighbourhood with four children aged two to 12 as well as being a member of Beit Tikvah, he values how smaller communities can foster real relationships across age groups.
“My preteen son can help set up for a kiddush and get involved in more of the everyday activities,” he said. “That wouldn’t necessarily happen in a larger city.”
Ultimately, Bitzan sees his role as a catalyst by empowering individuals and institutions to create entry points for broader engagement in Jewish life. Whether through education, cultural programming, or informal connections, his goal is to help others find their place and voice in the Jewish community.
“It’s about building bridges,” said Bitzan. “Between history and present, between generations, and between people who care about creating a strong, inclusive Jewish future.”
To get in touch with him, he can be reached at [email protected]