The OHDS Hashkafa — Our Philosophy

As a Modern Orthodox day school serving the entire Bay Area Jewish community, Oakland Hebrew Day School sustains the following vision:

• Engagement as our focus
As we educate our students to be knowledgeable and proud of who they are and where they came from, we inspire them to engage in a great world that enriches their intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic identities.

• Coeducation as a cornerstone
Our young women and men, together, are participants in rigorous and academic Torah and general study, prayer groups, and leadership opportunities.

• Israel at our core
Through the celebration of holidays, the study of current events, music, art, history and community action, our students connect to the State of Israel educationally, spiritually and emotionally.

“Jewish History looks like the moment before the sword is drawn.  The commander meets with her staff before devising the perfect strategy to approach the FORCE days away.  Jewish History is red and white, blue and gold.  It speaks all languages of the world.  It travels by ship and train, in snow, sunshine and rain.  Jewish History is a moment of choice, to acknowledge and ponder, reflect, decide, choose a different path.”

Bat Sheva Miller, Assistant Director of Judaic Studies