Dearest OHDS Community,

Next school year will be my 10th year as Head of this amazing school, my 27th year as a part of the OHDS professional team. Next year will also be my last year at OHDS, as I step away from headship and take some long-considered steps in a new direction.

I’m sharing this news now with 17 months of lead time because I love this school with all my heart, and I know that this amount of time will give us the chance to make a strong, intentional and smooth leadership transition.

OHDS has been at the center of my life for close to three decades. I started here in 2000 as a young mother, working part time and running our learning support program for eleven years. Just as I had the itch to try something new, I was given the chance to oversee our secular studies program as Director of General Studies. And, for the past nine years, it has been a deep honor to serve as Head of School. 

During my almost thirty years at OHDS, this school has been so much more than a work place. It’s been a place where I’ve grown and evolved. It’s been a place that’s seen my strengths and encouraged me to take on new challenges. It’s been a community for my family as my five children moved through the grades, receiving so much love and care. When my son Yonim died, this school community held me tight through my deepest pain and grief. The people of this special institution have forgiven my mistakes and trusted my tough calls. I’m a better person and a stronger leader because of the integrity of the professionals and lay leaders that form the culture of this place. 

The choice to step away from headship has not been easy. I love this school with my whole heart and there’s a big part of me that truly cannot imagine saying goodbye. And yet, I also know that change is good. With my youngest graduating high school next year, and with my increasing desire for more flexibility, it feels like the right time to try something new. I’m excited to follow a dream as I build my leadership coaching practice, supporting educational leaders in Jewish schools across the country.

Change, in the right dosage, is good for schools too. OHDS is in a very strong position. We have a stable and excellent faculty and administrative team. Over many years we’ve worked hard to professionalize our systems and processes and our operations run well. Thanks to our visionary and disciplined board, our fundraising and long-term fiscal planning are sound. Our building is in excellent shape. Our curriculum is intentional and high quality. We make good use of data to inform decisions across the institution. Our investment in the whole child through strong arts and athletics programs is unwavering. Our dedication to student support is, from what I can tell, almost unparalleled. There will always be new ways to grow, but this school is incredibly strong. 

From a position of such strength, change can be a positive thing. It can bring a chance for new perspectives. It can make growth possible. I’m very confident that we will get this transition right.

While I am sharing this news with the community now, the board has known for many months and has had the chance to begin planning for the search process. Jo-Ellen Zeitlin, current board member and past board chair, is chairing the search committee. She will be communicating with the community about the search process which will include opportunities for parents, faculty and staff to share their priorities and feedback.

In my remaining year and a half at OHDS, I am fully committed to being the present and engaged leader that this school deserves. We have such an outstanding team of teachers, administrators and lay leaders and we will be working together thoughtfully and with much intention to make sure that our children, families and professional community experience the stability they need to keep doing what they are here to do. 

As I’ve prepared myself to share this news with our beloved community, Parshat Beshalach has often come to mind. Specifically, I’ve been holding the image of Moshe Rabbeinu, flanked by Aharon and Hur, arms outstretched atop a hill looking over the battle between Bnei Israel and Amalek. When his arms are up, Bnei Israel prevails; when his arms are lowered, Amalek gains strength. And when Moshe tires, Aharon and Hur hold his arms for him so that Bnei Israel can have what it needs to succeed.

My experience of leadership has been much like that scene on the hill. I’ve done my best to hold up the arms of others and, more often than not, my arms have been the ones receiving that essential support. Together, every single day, our focused purpose has been the well-being of the students in our care, the strength of our Bay Area Jewish community and the flourishing of the Jewish people. Well beyond my tenure at OHDS, I know that this will continue to be true.

There will be many opportunities for reflection and closure, but for now, I just want to express my deepest gratitude. What a gift it has been to be part of this beautiful school community.

With love,
Tania

Most OHDS families–mine included–have only known Tania’s leadership. Indeed, many of us were drawn to this school at least in part by her warmth and inclusive ethos. (I still remember her enthusiasm when we met during a tour of Bridge K for our now-sixth grader.) As a Board member, I watched with gratitude as Tania guided OHDS through lockdowns and beyond. As Board President, I’ve marveled at her ability to navigate the tumult of the last two years. As a parent, I’ve benefited from the high-trust culture she has fostered for faculty and administrative staff. 

All of this is to say that Tania’s headship has left an indelible mark on OHDS. And with the most robust enrollment in ten years, high rates of parent satisfaction, and consistent faculty retention, Tania has created an OHDS that is stronger than ever.

Finding the next dynamic leader of this special school is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board. When Tania first shared her decision with us, the Board acted swiftly to organize a search committee to structure the process going forward. The Board also reiterated its commitment to welcoming diverse perspectives from our school community–whether from families, faculty, or staff. We are confident that allowing a wide array of voices to inform this search is not only a best practice; it is also the surest way to identify the right candidate.

The Board is keenly aware that Tania’s tenure–the longest in OHDS history–will be a tough act to follow. We are committed to creating a meaningful and rigorous search process that honors what Tania and this community have built together. And we commit ourselves to keeping you involved and informed over the next many months.

For now, we look forward to celebrating Tania, supporting the continued growth of Oakland Hebrew Day School, and imagining its future with you.


Ethan Simonowitz
President, OHDS Board of Directors
president@ohds.org

I am honored to chair the search committee as we embark on finding our next Head of School. After ten years of Tania's steadfast leadership, her departure marks the end of a significant chapter for our community. I will miss her unwavering dedication, her clear vision, and the partnership she and I have shared. As I reflect on this transition, I find myself holding two feelings at once: immense gratitude for the strong foundation Tania has been instrumental in building, and genuine excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead.

Joining me in this important work is a group of people who care deeply about our school and its values: Adina Konikoff, Jessica Minkoff, Dan Rubenstein, and Julia Treadwell. Together, we will embark on a process that reflects not just our community's values, but also your voices and aspirations for our school's future. We will formally launch the Head of School search this spring, beginning with listening sessions in April; I'm particularly looking forward to those moments, as they will give you an opportunity to share what matters most to you in our next leader. As we move into interviews later this year, there will be additional opportunities for you to be part of this journey. Our goal is to announce a new Head of School by the end of 2026.

This is your search as much as it is ours, and we are committed to keeping you updated and involved as the process unfolds. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts.

Warmly, 


Jo-Ellen Pozner Zeitlin
Chair, Head of School Search Committee
searchcom@ohds.org

Interested in becoming OHDS’ next Head of School? Tap here for our Head of School Opportunity Statement.

To apply to become our next head of school, please send a cover letter and resume to Amy Wasser, Senior Director Field Advancement at Prizmah, Center for Jewish Day Schools: amyw@prizmah.org.