Nancy Zimmerman Pechner

Position: Founder
Categories: Founders

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:

Key Dates 2022-2023

This calendar is subject to change.
Please refer to the JCHS website calendar for the most up-to-date information

Tuesday, August 23Freshman Welcome Retreat
Wednesday, August 24Transfer Orientation
Thursday, August 25 First Day of Classes
Monday, September 5No Classes – Labor Day
Thursday, September 8Back to School Night/New Parent Orientation
Friday – Sunday, September 23-25All-School Shabbaton
Monday – Tuesday, September 26-27 .No Classes – Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, September 28No Classes – Professional Development Day
Tuesday, October 4Virtual Day – 2:20 Early Release – Erev Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 5No Classes – Yom Kippur
Monday – Tuesday, October 10-11No Classes – Sukkot
Monday – Tuesday, October 17-18No Classes – Shemini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah
Thursday, November 10No Classes – Faculty Meeting Day /Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences (Evening)
Friday, November 11No Classes – Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
Monday, November 21Virtual Day – 3:20 Release – Thanksgiving Week
Tuesday, November 22Virtual Day – 3:20 Release – Thanksgiving Week
Wednesday – Friday, November 23–25No Classes – Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 19 – Monday, January 2No Classes – Winter Break
Tuesday, January 3Classes Resume
Monday, January 16No Classes – MLK Day
Thursday, February 16Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences (Evening)
Friday, February 17No Classes – Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
Monday, February 20No Classes – Presidents Day
Sunday – Monday, March 5–20Journey (Grade 11)
Sunday – Thursday, March 12-16Journey (Grades 9, 10 & 12)
Friday, March 17No Classes for Grades 9, 10 & 12 – Journey Recovery Day
Tuesday, March 21No Classes for Grade 11 – Journey Recovery Day
Monday – Friday, April 3–14No Classes – Pesach Break
Friday, May 26No Classes – Shavuot I
Monday, May 29No Classes – Memorial Day
Friday & Monday – Thursday, June 2 & 5-8Final Exams (Grades 9-11)
Thursday, June 8Graduation