Born in Livorno in 1885, Ottolenghi obtained the title of rabbi in 1907 at the Rabbinical College of Livorno and, at the same time, a degree in Law at the University of Pisa.
In 1911, he was appointed rabbi in Venice and moved to the city with his wife Regina Tedeschi, who always helped him in his daily work, even at the onset of blindness.
Because of his grave short-sightedness during World War I, he was barred from military service, but pledged to help Jewish refugees.
Ottolenghi was also very committed to charity organisation, the education of young people and the study of the history of the Jews of Venice.
He remained in the city even after the first great raid was carried out on the night between 5 and 6 December 1943, to continue to assist the members of the Jewish community still present in Venice.
His wife managed to escape, thanks to the help of the notary Elio Gallina of Treviso.
Ottolenghi was arrested with the guests of the Israelite Nursing Home on August 17, 1944 and deported to Auschwitz, where he died.
In addition to the stumbling stone placed on January 14, 2015 (Cannaregio 2346/B), a plaque in the Ghetto and a part of the Bosco di Mestre are dedicated to him.
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