Oshman Family JCC Blog

Glenn enjoying the scenery above Chamonix, France, one of the typical starting points for the TMB hike.

Conquering the Mont Blanc Trail

Sure, Glenn Martinson picks up the phone when people have questions about their membership at the OFJCC. But did you know he is also a dedicated hiking enthusiast? Despite an appreciation for the sport, he had never hiked a long trail before. That all changed last year when Glenn and...

Talia and Zack Bodner at AIPAC

I Brought My 14-Year-Old to AIPAC. Here’s What Happened.

What are you teaching your children?  I mean – what are you really teaching your kids? As I focus on teaching Jewish values to my own kids, it is vital that Israel be one of them. I want my children to know Israel, support Israel, wrestle with Israel and love...

Krakow JCC Teachers Marika and Magda enjoy the OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool garden.

From Poland to Palo Alto

This week, two preschool teachers from the Krakow JCC are spending a week of intensive learning at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, California. The visit is focused on incorporating Jewish values into their teaching practice and also learning more about the constructivist educational philosophy followed by the Oshman...

An adult hipster son and his happy senior father in town, hugging.

What Our Inner Lives Say About Our Relationships

Dr. Nathan Szajnberg, Former Sigmund Freud Professor of Psychoanalysis at Hebrew University, recounts how parents today can build towards the future in his latest book, Jacob and Joseph, Judaism’s Architects and the Birth of the Ego Ideal. Catch Dr. Szajnberg at the OFJCC on Thursday, March 7! Jacob and Joseph, Judaism’s Architects...

Zhibo and OFJCC trainer Kevin Magro

Zhibo Z.: My OFJCC Fitness Journey

What’s your background? My name is Zhibo and I’m an engineer at Google. My hobbies include traveling to Europe, mathematics and weight loss. I joined OFJCC in January 2018 and I’ve been coming to the gym six times a week. Why did you decide to change your lifestyle? My original weight was...

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Volunteering to Rebuild in Santa Rosa

The OFJCC Center for Social Impact offers programming to help those in need, including a recent trip to Santa Rosa to help build a home for low-income residents. Participate in programs that help those in need on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Mitzvah Day. It was a little over a...

The JResponse team with JCC of Greater Pittsburgh staff. Photo courtesy Stephanie Levin.

A Community Hug: A JResponse Trip to Pittsburgh

This December, Robin Vasilakos, the manager of the Center for Social Impact at the Oshman Family JCC and Stephanie Levin, chief engagement and innovation officer of the Peninsula JCC, traveled to Pittsburgh as part of the JCCA JResponse program. They were there to provide support to the JCC of Greater...

Teacher Debbie at the Frajda preschool, Krakow JCC

Why I’m Spending Shabbat in Poland

The OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool’s beloved Teacher Debbie traveled to Poland this week to spend time volunteering and sharing educational insights with the Krakow JCC. I’ve spent the past four days at the Krakow JCC, mainly in their preschool called “Frajda,” which means joy. This school is merely a year...

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Stephanie N. is Spartan Strong

On September 8, the OFJCC’s very own Membership Manager Stephanie N. completed her third Spartan Beast race in Seattle! She tells us what got her into the race in the first place and what it means to her. Spartan racing is obstacle course racing. The Spartan Beast is 13-15 miles of rugged...

Julie, her daughters and husband Ed on a rooftop in Jerusalem

Love Echoes—Impressions of the JCC Israel Trip

When love echoes or comes back to you from your own expression, whether it be from a person, or a place, or an experience, there is a feeling of belonging and unity that ensues. This feeling became a predominant theme for me while I was on the Silicon Valley Community...