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.
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 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!
An Oasis Like No Other
In 2015, the OFJCC commissioned a stunning new addition to campus and the
community in the form of the Oasis Play Space. Crafted by Scientific Art Studio,
the acclaimed designers behind the Giant Baseball Mitt at the San Francisco
Giants' AT&T Park, the Oasis Play Space was completed in July of 2016 and
provides an imaginative and welcoming center of activity on the OFJCC campus.
Located on the Jessica Lynn Saal Town Square, the Oasis Play Space is based
on the Jewish theme of a desert oasis that provided refuge to wanderers. The Oasis
features faux grassy hills, an interactive glass water feature and the look of
an ancient landscape. There is an archeo-climber for exploration, an open-sided
tent recalling the Biblical tent of Abraham and Sarah and larger-than-life
models of Israeli and desert plants such as papyrus and pomegranates.
The space has been designed as a safe and stimulating environment for
children ages 1 to 10 to explore, climb and slide.
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, the Oshman Family
JCC incorporates 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.