This fall, the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCC East Bay) will mark a historic 47-year milestone with the opening of the new East Bay Jewish Community Campus. The move is part of a $125 million fundraising and renovation campaign, fulfilling a decades-long dream. By housing up to 20 distinct Jewish organizations under one roof, the new campus creates a vibrant collaborative environment built on a shared-expense model.
Moses Libitzky bought the property from Nestlé-Dreyer’s in 2019 for $41 million through his real estate firm with the intention of establishing a Jewish community campus. Located at 5957 Chabot Road, the three-acre campus spans more than 128,000 square feet, transforming two Rockridge landmarks—the former Dreyer’s Ice Cream headquarters (open from 1998-2019) and the beloved Yoshi’s jazz club and restaurant (opened in 1977, relocated to Jack London Square in 1997).
Renderings of the planned campus. Courtesy JCC East Bay.
“We believe our new Campus will become a welcoming gathering place for the East Bay Jewish community and for our neighbors throughout the East Bay,” says CEO Susie Cohen Crumpler. “We truly see this as a place where community grows through gathering, learning, supporting one another, and showing up for each other. Rockridge is an incredible neighborhood, and we’re thrilled to become part of its story.”
Designed to serve people of all ages and backgrounds, the campus will feature classrooms, a kosher café, event and performance spaces, a health and wellness studio, and a dedicated teen center. Outdoor spaces will include a central courtyard, open meadow, reflection garden, and welcoming areas for families, friends, and neighbors to congregate.
At the heart of the campus is JCC East Bay’s new Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC), opening this August with programs for children ages six months through Transitional Kindergarten (TK). The center will offer a state-of-the-art, play-based preschool inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy—an approach that sees children as capable, curious learners with limitless potential.
“As the Campus comes to life, the Early Childhood Education Center will become a hub for families, offering opportunities for learning, afterschool enrichment, and meaningful community connection,” says Crumpler. “We’re excited to welcome families from all backgrounds and to create a place where everyone feels they belong.”
Limited space remains available for the 2026–27 school year. Families can learn more, schedule a virtual tour, or apply for enrollment online.
The project is funded through a $125 million capital campaign, with more than half of the goal already secured through generous support from foundations, individual donors, and community partners. For project updates, enrollment information, and ways to support the campus, visit jcceastbay.org. To stay informed about upcoming programs and events, sign up for their newsletter.
