ISRAEL & JEWISH LIFE
Experience the vibrant spirit of Jewish life through programs and events that bring together the culture, celebrations and learning of American, Israeli, and global Judaism. From holidays and performances to classes, current events talks and family programs, the Oshman Family JCC always has innovative, fun and meaningful programs in English, Hebrew and Russian.
The Israeli Cultural Connection (ICC) is a hub for the Israeli community within the OFJCC where you can connect to your Israeli identity, celebrate Israeli culture and explore what it means to be an Israeli Jew living outside of Israel. Through Israeli arts, music and cultural events, programs for young families through seniors, and our Beged Kefet Hebrew Language School, the ICC offers the local Israeli and American Jewish communities the opportunity to deepen their ties to Israel—and to each other.
בלב עמק הסיליקון, ב-Oshman Family JCC של פאלו אלטו שוכן מרכז ייחודי לישראלים, ה- Israeli Cultural Connection, או בקיצור: ICC@JCC.
האם יש דבר חשוב יותר מקהילה? לפני שנים בשלה ההבנה כי דרוש בית פתוח, חם ותוסס עבור הקהילה הישראלית בעמק הסיליקון.
הבית שהוקם, בהמון מחשבה, יצירתיות והשקעה, ה-ICC – Israel Cultural Connection פתוח לכולם – ישראלים ולא ישראלים, משפחות או יחידים, דוברי עברית ולומדי עברית – ומציע מקום בו ניתן לחגוג את התרבות הישראלית, לציין יחד חגים יהודיים וישראלים, ללמוד ולהחכים, לשמור על קשר עם מדינת ישראל ולתמוך בה, ללמוד עברית עכשווית, להתחבר לקהילה היהודית המקומית במגוון פעילויות קהילתיות. לחצו להמשך
Preschool & Elementary School Classes
Beged Kefet is an afterschool program for children in grades K–12 that teaches the modern, spoken Hebrew language and Israeli culture in a fun and engaging way. Students can begin their journey to learn Hebrew in Kitat Gan and continue with Beged Kefet all the way through accredited high school classes.
Events & Classes
The OFJCC is a Jewish neighborhood that encourages lifelong spiritual and cultural growth. We create opportunities for participants to listen, question, learn, teach and engage in the enduring conversation that is at the heart of Judaism. Our Jewish learning is accessible, welcoming, relevant and intelligent. Engage in ideas, explore, discuss and deepen your connection, and be part of the conversation.
For Hebrew-Speaking Adults
"Gvanim by the Bay" is a unique program designed for Israelis living in the San Francisco Bay Area who are interested in exploring issues of Israeli-Jewish identity, Jewish values and Israeli culture.
Women. Social Impact. Community Building.
Kol Isha is the OFJCC's women's initiative. Over the course of a year, a select group of local women come together to build community, engage in Jewish learning and create local social impact projects.
Improving the world begins with taking direct, hands-on actions to help those in need. Each year, the Center for Social Impact mobilizes thousands of volunteers—from children to young adults to seniors—and brings them together to create positive social change throughout the South Bay.
The Z3 Project is a movement reimagining Jewish Peoplehood for the 21st century. We believe Jewish communities in Israel and the Diaspora can—and must—lead, shape, and take ownership of their identities, institutions, and shared future.
Z3 partners with JCCs and other trusted institutions to empower Jewish communities to lead with purpose, navigate complexity, and create a shared Jewish public square, fostering dynamic debate, enriching learning experiences, and personal exploration of Zionism and Jewish life today. Through our Conference, Institute, and Leadership Lab, we revitalize Jewish public life with bold ideas and meaningful engagement.
Delightful Celebrations Throughout the Year
FIND YOUR FIT
Our Communities
Explore the wide variety of active communities at the OFJCC that you can join. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know, and we’ll help you get it started!
את/ה לא לבד. מעגלים ICC כאן כדי ללוות, לתמוך ולחבר ביניכם/ן לבין המתנדבות והמתנדבים שלנו מתוך הקהילה הישראלית באזור העמק.
FIND YOUR FIT
Our Communities
Explore the wide variety of active communities at the OFJCC that you can join. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know, and we’ll help you get it started!
את/ה לא לבד. מעגלים ICC כאן כדי לחבר ביניכם לבין המתנדבות והמתנדבים שלנו — שליחות ושליחי מצווה מכל הרקעים
Tools to Help You
With antisemitic incidents rising substantially in recent years and surging in 2021, and with students returning to middle/high school and college campuses at a particularly challenging time, we felt it might be helpful to compile resources, events and opportunities to take action.
Here I Am (JCRC and JCEF)
The OFJCC is proud to be a community partner on a new initiative by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, demonstrating the vibrancy, diversity and values of the Bay Area Jewish community. Learn how you can help to bring light to personal experiences with antisemitism and educate the community about being effective allies.
Digital Ambassador Program (Israel21c)
Israel21c’s Digital Ambassador Program empowers college students to make a difference in the dialogue about Israel online and on campus. Learn more.
Report an Incident to ADL (ADL)
If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of antisemitism, extremism, bias, bigotry or hate, you can report it to ADL for assessment and response.
Never Is Now (ADL)
The ADL held the world’s largest summit on antisemitism and hate, “Never Is Now.”
ADL Resources on Antisemitism (ADL)
Learn more about how the ADL is fighting antisemitism, and resources it provides to the community.
Table Talk (ADL)
Table Talk is ADL’s program to offer parents, families and caregivers tools and strategies for family conversations about current events and difficult topics.
AJC Campus Library (AJC)
The American Jewish Committee’s Campus Library has everything that the Jewish students in your life need to know about antisemitism, navigating campus life as a Jewish student and becoming well-informed and effective advocates for Israel and the Jewish people.
Antisemitism: How to Identify it and What to Do (JFCS Holocaust Center)
The best way to counter antisemitism is to recognize and respond to it. This helpful guide from the Holocaust Center at Jewish Family and Children’s Services offers a quick step-by-step on how to respond to antisemitic incidents.
ADL Campus Antisemitism Report Card
The ADL regularly reports on the state of antisemitism at colleges and universities. View their Campus Antisemitism Report Card.
The JCRC has a helpful report for understanding The Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement.
The ADL also has a comprehensive resource on antisemitism, Antisemitism Uncovered: A Guide to Old Myths in a New Era.
Vibe Israel offers a free course titled, Influence Without Authority: How to Talk about Israel on Social Media.
The Oshman Family JCC is proud to offer programs that sustain and celebrate Jewish life, learning and peoplehood, funded by the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture through the Taube Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood. Through this initiative, we present programs and celebrations that bring community together, travel and education programs that build connections to Israel and the heritage of the Diaspora communities, innovative classes and participatory experiences that elevate Jewish literacy and invigorate Jewish practice.