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Welcome to the PJCC

We positively impact people’s lives, fostering belonging and meaningful connections with a diverse community, grounded in Jewish values and traditions.

We achieve this by building a vibrant hub of connection, celebration, and growth—guided by our beliefs and values.

We believe in supporting wellbeing at every age.

We believe in creating meaningful Jewish experiences.

We believe in encouraging dialogue and discovery.

We believe in fostering inclusion and belonging.

We believe in acting for a better world.

Our Values

Jewish Life • Chavaya Yehudit

We honor the rich heritage of Jewish culture, tradition, and community passed down through generations. Together, we celebrate these gifts today and preserve them for the future.

Welcoming All • Hachnasat Or’chim

Our doors are open to everyone. We embrace diversity in culture, opinions, religion, and identity, creating a space where everyone feels safe and welcome to be their authentic self.

Community of Family & Friends • Kehilla u’Mishpacha

We are a vibrant hub for engagement, dialogue, and celebrations that enrich our lives. We foster unity—K’lal Yisrael—by strengthening connections with the broader Jewish community and the State of Israel.

Wholeness of Body, Mind & Spirit • Shleimut

We support each individual’s journey toward wellness, exploration, reflection, and growth, nurturing every aspect of body, mind, and spirit.

Repairing the World • Tikkun Olam

Together, we uphold dignity for all and work to improve our community and the world through meaningful action.

Our History

A Legacy of Community

The PJCC was founded in 1948 by a passionate group of Jewish community members in Burlingame, California. What began as a rented house quickly grew into a cherished community hub, inspiring compassion and unity for residents across San Mateo County.

Over the years, the PJCC adapted to meet the evolving needs of our growing and diverse community:

In the 1960s, we expanded into a larger space in Belmont, accommodating a broader range of programs and services.
By the 1990s, the Belmont location had reached capacity, and the dream of a new home became a shared goal.

A Peninsula Tradition Thrives

In 2004, the PJCC proudly opened its 12-acre campus in Foster City. This modern, welcoming space—shared with the Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School—realized the vision of a thriving community center for all.

Today, the PJCC continues to honor its history while looking ahead. With over 75 years of service to the San Mateo County community, we remain dedicated to building connections, inspiring learning, and creating a place where everyone belongs.