About the Campus
The Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life is a welcoming, innovative, multi-generational destination where individuals and families live, learn, play and connect. The 8.5 acre site is anchored by the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center and Moldaw Family Residences. Since opening in September 2009, the campus has created an exciting hub for the region’s growing Jewish community and contributed to the revitalization of the South Palo Alto area.
The campus has won many construction and design awards and is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified for its many environmentally progressive features. The Taube Koret Campus is a collaborative initiative founded in 2001 by the Albert L. Schultz Jewish Community Center (now the Oshman Family JCC) in Palo Alto, the Jewish Home in San Francisco, the Jewish Community Federation and local community leaders. The campus is also home to regional offices for the Jewish Community Federation and other Jewish communal agencies. Notable features of campus include the Freidenrich Community Park and Arrillaga Family Pavilion added in 2018, works of art such as Chai and The Joy of Arrival, and The Food Oasis.
History of the Campus
For longer than Moses wandered in the desert in search of a home, the South Peninsula Jewish community wandered from place to place, seeking a permanent location to call its own. That dream of creating a central place where we could celebrate the diversity of our Jewish heritage and the breadth of our community's interests was magnificently realized in fall 2009 with the construction of the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, a multi-generational environment where people of all ages could live, learn, play and connect. The campus is home to the Oshman Family JCC, Moldaw Family Residences, and a number of other Jewish organizations.
A number of generous donors stepped up with lead gifts to make this campus possible. They include: the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture and the Koret Foundation joint campus naming gift; the Oshman Family Foundation; The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund; Stuart (z"l) and Phyllis Moldaw; and the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Finally, there would be no JCC today without the ongoing vision, tenacity and passionate belief that Carol Saal brought to this project. To everyone involved in creating this new home, our heartfelt thanks.
A Campus Rich in Meaning
The design of the Taube Koret Campus reflects our deep, historic roots with references to Israel’s architecture, the 12 tribes of Israel and Israeli regional flora. Visual reference to Judaic culture and history permeate the campus, creating a richly evocative and inspiring "urban village."
The colors and landscaping throughout the campus are based on native plants, trees and textures of Israel. The buildings are infused with the colors of the seven plants of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey dates. In designing this 
home for the Oshman Family JCC and Moldaw Family Residences, Steinberg Architects intertwined many symbolic, historical and contemporary elements.
Sit under towering palms in the Jessica Lynn Saal Town Square. Stroll among olive trees on the Saal Family Midrahov. Discover birch, pomegranate, fig and acacia trees dotting the landscaped grounds. Our little ones play and plant in OFJCC Preschool’s lush planting areas, which correspond to Israel’s geographical diversity.
An elegant sculptural element outside the Schultz Cultural Arts Hall is representative of the twelve biblical tribes and creates a discreet separation between the Marcia and John Goldman Cultural Arts Courtyard and the general walkways. Inside the Hall, the Koshland Theatre becomes our communal "tent"—a central area for celebrations and events. Other design elements throughout the Hall result in a gorgeous, welcoming gathering place.
This spirit is what makes the Taube Koret Campus an exceptional addition to the neighborhood. Step onto the campus and be inspired by its rich design evoking golden Jerusalem stone, intriguing promenades and courtyards. Please come in!
A Modern Eco-Oasis
In the midst of the bustling South Peninsula, the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life provides a welcoming, beautifully-landscaped oasis. The campus feels like a small town, but it’s an extremely eco-conscious one with a strong environmental agenda.
The OFJCC may be steeped in tradition and historic metaphors but our facilities are also devoted to the future by respecting the environment and promoting ecological values.
Our intent is to ensure that the campus is not only green-focused, but that it provides an environmental leadership model for all residents and visitors. The campus incorporates many LEED-compliant design features in key areas like water efficiency, sustainability, energy efficiency, innovation and design.
Throughout the Taube Koret Campus you'll find:
- Integrated occupancy sensors for lighting, heating and air conditioning to save energy
- Maximized use of natural lighting
- Water efficient, both indoors and out
- Interior paints and finishes with low emissions
- Sufficient bicycle storage for all building users
- Underground parking minimizes the "heat island effect"
- Convenient location near public transportation
While green technology has been built into the campus, at the Oshman Family JCC we incorporate eco-conscious practices to keep our facilities and our community healthy. Just a few examples include convenient recycling throughout the campus, ongoing food waste composting at OFJCC Preschool, the use of green-approved cleaning supplies by our maintenance staff and the use of recycled and re-purposed materials wherever possible.
Deep connections to Jewish tradition and forward-thinking eco-leadership—you'll find it all at the Oshman Family JCC.