At Jewish Federation Bay Area, we’re deeply invested in the education of our youngest community members. In Jewish tradition, education is understood as chinuch — not simply the transfer of facts, but the lifelong work of shaping a child’s character, identity, and connection to something larger than themselves. The Jewish day schools we support live out that idea every day: they do more than teach math and reading — they pass Torah, Hebrew, and Jewish values from one generation to the next, building the confident, connected, community-minded Jews who will carry our traditions forward.
We’re proud to shine a spotlight on nine remarkable Jewish day schools across the Bay Area — from San Francisco to the South Bay, from Marin to the East Bay — that we’re honored to support as Federation grantees. Each school has its own history, character, and community, but all of them share a common thread: a deep commitment to academic excellence, Jewish identity, and the belief that a thriving Jewish future starts in the classroom.
Read on to meet each of our grantee schools below.
Located in San Francisco’s Richmond District, Bais Menachem offers a true dual curriculum of Judaic and secular studies, rooted in Torah-based instruction and warm, small-class attention — averaging just seven students per class. The school’s mission is to help students grow into self-confident, responsible citizens with a strong connection to their Judaism and their community, blending high academic standards with a nurturing, close-knit environment.
“I feel such a strong connection to Bais Menachem. Whenever I’m back in town, I always come by to visit — sometimes at pickup and sometimes during recess. I love seeing the kids and visiting my former teachers and the other staff. Even though I’ve graduated several years ago Bais Menachem is still such an important part of who I am.”
– Sarah, Bais Menachem Graduate
An independent, co-educational K-8 school serving Marin’s Jewish community, Brandeis Marin traces its roots to 1963 and today stands on its own as a school for all families, regardless of background. Guided by the values of ometz lev (integrity), chesed (kindness), and tikkun olam (repairing the world), Brandeis Marin ignites a passion for learning that shapes caring, engaged global citizens.
“Every day when I drop my son off at school, I trust that his teachers see him, know him, and support him. They are not only supporting his academic learning, but also helping him understand that he belongs and that he is part of something bigger than himself.”
– Vicky, Brandeis parent
Contra Costa Jewish Day School — Lafayette
Founded in 2001 to serve East Bay families, CCJDS takes a whole-child approach to education, pairing a rigorous general studies curriculum with Torah, Hebrew, and Jewish values. Five core values — including lishmoa (active listening) and derech eretz (kindness) — shape a community where students grow into critical thinkers and compassionate, engaged members of the Jewish people.
“CCJDS is a wonderful school that has made an incredibly positive difference in all three of my children’s lives. We chose it for its academic excellence and were surprised by how much the culture of the school quickly became our favorite part.”
– Megan, Alumni Parent
Set on a two-acre campus near Lake Merced, The Brandeis School of San Francisco combines a demanding academic program — spanning STEM, the arts, and foreign languages — with Jewish ethics woven throughout. Guided by the values of Kindness, Integrity, and Service, Brandeis cultivates independent, creative thinkers within a tight-knit, multigenerational school community.
“Every day when I drop my son off at school, I trust that his teachers see him, know him, and support him. They are not only supporting his academic learning, but also helping him understand that he belongs and that he is part of something bigger than himself.”
– Vicky B., Brandeis parent
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School — Palo Alto
“The school allows us to give everything to our kids that we think is important: academic excellence, Hebrew, Jewish cultural learning and the importance of belonging and taking care of a community. We believe all these characteristics will make our children successful and better citizens of the world.”
– Hausner Parent
Oakland Hebrew Day School — Oakland
A Modern Orthodox day school welcoming families from across the Bay Area’s diverse Jewish community, OHDS integrates Judaic and general studies to foster both academic excellence and a strong sense of Jewish identity. Small-group instruction and individualized attention help students build lasting relationships with teachers while developing pride, confidence, and a joyful connection to their heritage.
“My time at OHDS has helped me throughout my education and career thanks to the dual general and Judaic curriculum, Hebrew language, and critical thinking and discussion skills. I am so grateful for my OHDS education and the tools it has given me to be where I am today.”
— Josh K., class of 2004
An independent TK-8 community day school, Wornick challenges students to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and consider the ethical implications of real-world issues. Jewish values, Hebrew language, and the principle of tikkun olam run throughout the curriculum, preparing graduates to become confident, capable leaders with strong ties to Jewish identity and Israel.
“[Wornick is] a gem of a school [and] has provided an amazing, supportive environment for our two children. One is now thriving in high school, well prepared both academically and socially-emotionally for those challenges. The other, a new middle schooler, is getting amazing support and skill development from advisory and academic staff. Just two months into the year, we are amazed at their progress, both in terms of academic up-leveling as well as work and study habits. Wornick has created a caring and engaged atmosphere that includes students, teachers, administrators and the larger parent community.”
– Current and Alumni Parent
South Peninsula Hebrew Day School — Sunnyvale
Serving children from early childhood through 8th grade since 1972, SPHDS offers a dual curriculum that blends strong general academics with Hebrew and Judaic studies. Grounded in Orthodox and Zionist values while welcoming families from diverse Jewish backgrounds, the school pairs small class sizes with a holistic approach that nurtures character, community, and a lifelong love of learning.
“A Jewish education and Jewish values are a top priority for us, and SPHDS embodies both without compromising academic excellence.”
– Sareet Nagler, Parent of three SPHDS students
Founded in 1980 to bring a community Jewish day school to the South Bay, Yavneh pairs academic excellence in General and Jewish studies with a curriculum designed around each child’s individual strengths. Rooted in four fundamental beliefs — Relevance, Diverse Learning, Judaism, and Partnership — Yavneh fosters curiosity, risk-taking, and a strong sense of Jewish identity in every student.
“When I’m at Yavneh, I don’t feel like I have to be a certain type of person. I feel like I can be who I want to be.”
– Blake, Yavneh Middle School Student
Building a Jewish Future Through Education
These nine schools represent nearly a thousand students across the Bay Area, and countless more alumni, who are growing up grounded in Jewish values and a deep sense of belonging to the Jewish people. We’re proud to support this work through our grantmaking because we know that a thriving Jewish community starts with the next generation.
To our partner schools: thank you for the daily work of shaping curious minds and Jewish hearts. To our community: we hope you’ll join us in celebrating these schools and by giving to our Annual Campaign, which allows us to support the vital work they do every day.
Interested in learning more about how the Federation’s impact areas? Click here for more information.
