Nancy came up with the idea for JCHS in the spring of 1997. During her Wexner Heritage Foundation class, she realized that the one missing major Jewish educational immersion experience in the Bay Area was a Jewish community high school. Her dream became a reality with the help and support of many. Nancy graduated from the Wexner Heritage Foundation (WHF) Class of 1998. From 1999-2001, she worked for WHF as leadership liaison, acting as a conduit  and support for WHF graduates. As executive director, Nancy led the Jewish Community Youth Orchestra through its first season. Nancy has served on multiple boards and committees including JCHS (executive vice president), Congregation Rodef Sholom and its School Board (president), Bureau of Jewish Education, The Brandeis School (marketing committee), Jewish Community Relations Council, and Jewish Community Foundation’s Young Adults Division. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 1984. Since 1995, Nancy has run her art business, Silkheart, which creates hand-painted silk tallitot. She spends half her summer as artist-in-residence at URJ Camp Newman running her program “Building Jewish Identity through Art.” Most recently, Nancy has earned her master of science in counseling psychology. In her present business, Glass Half Full, she acts as teacher, curriculum developer and counselor, where she holds space for growth and change using creative, mindfulness, and strength-based practices. She lives between Maui and Marin County with her husband. They have three grown children.
Jewish Community High School of the Bay
1835 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415.345.9777
The Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS) is a unique college preparatory high school committed to integrating deep learning, universal wisdom, and Jewish values. We empower each student to embrace their Jewish identity, generate empathy and compassion, delight in lifelong education, and improve the world.
JCHS is Title IX compliant. Find out more here.
JCHS is grateful for generous operational, programmatic, and financial support from:
This calendar is subject to change.
Please refer to the JCHS website calendar for the most up-to-date information
Tuesday, August 23 | Freshman Welcome Retreat |
Wednesday, August 24 | Transfer Orientation |
Thursday, August 25 | First Day of Classes |
Monday, September 5 | No Classes – Labor Day |
Thursday, September 8 | Back to School Night/New Parent Orientation |
Friday – Sunday, September 23-25 | All-School Shabbaton |
Monday – Tuesday, September 26-27 . | No Classes – Rosh Hashanah |
Wednesday, September 28 | No Classes – Professional Development Day |
Tuesday, October 4 | Virtual Day – 2:20 Early Release – Erev Yom Kippur |
Wednesday, October 5 | No Classes – Yom Kippur |
Monday – Tuesday, October 10-11 | No Classes – Sukkot |
Monday – Tuesday, October 17-18 | No Classes – Shemini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah |
Thursday, November 10 | No Classes – Faculty Meeting Day /Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences (Evening) |
Friday, November 11 | No Classes – Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences |
Monday, November 21 | Virtual Day – 3:20 Release – Thanksgiving Week |
Tuesday, November 22 | Virtual Day – 3:20 Release – Thanksgiving Week |
Wednesday – Friday, November 23–25 | No Classes – Thanksgiving Break |
Monday, December 19 – Monday, January 2 | No Classes – Winter Break |
Tuesday, January 3 | Classes Resume |
Monday, January 16 | No Classes – MLK Day |
Thursday, February 16 | Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences (Evening) |
Friday, February 17 | No Classes – Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences |
Monday, February 20 | No Classes – Presidents Day |
Sunday – Monday, March 5–20 | Journey (Grade 11) |
Sunday – Thursday, March 12-16 | Journey (Grades 9, 10 & 12) |
Friday, March 17 | No Classes for Grades 9, 10 & 12 – Journey Recovery Day |
Tuesday, March 21 | No Classes for Grade 11 – Journey Recovery Day |
Monday – Friday, April 3–14 | No Classes – Pesach Break |
Friday, May 26 | No Classes – Shavuot I |
Monday, May 29 | No Classes – Memorial Day |
Friday & Monday – Thursday, June 2 & 5-8 | Final Exams (Grades 9-11) |
Thursday, June 8 | Graduation |