The only Jewish International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program Candidate School in Western New York! 

Where Every Jewish Family Feels at Home!

​​Hillel Community Day School was born from a visionary dream: to create a school that would serve the entire Jewish community of Rochester, NY. In 1947, that dream became a reality.

At a time when Jewish families sought an educational experience rooted in Torah, tradition, and Jewish living, a courageous group of founders came together with one unifying belief—that every Jewish child, regardless of background, should have access to a meaningful and rigorous Jewish education. Their vision gave rise to a school that was unaffiliated with any single congregation, yet deeply committed to Jewish values, heritage, and excellence.

The first classes were held in a local synagogue, beginning with just a handful of students. As enrollment and support grew, the school moved to a stately mansion on East Avenue, where it blossomed into a vibrant hub of Jewish learning. Hillel soon became known for its warm community, rigorous academics, and nurturing environment—educating generations of proud, compassionate, and engaged Jewish students.

From the beginning, Hillel’s mission was to educate the whole child—intellectually, spiritually, and ethically. Hebrew language immersion, Torah study, and hands-on Jewish experiences helped children build meaningful connections to their identity and values. As one early document described: “Through these happy experiences, he learns to love his Jewish heritage, and it becomes a part of his daily life.”

Today, Hillel remains the only Zionistic Jewish day school in Western New York. It proudly upholds the founding vision of unity and belonging, embracing students and families across the spectrum of Jewish life. The inclusion and diversity of our community is not only part of our legacy—it is a cornerstone of who we are.

More than seventy-five years since its founding, Hillel Community Day School continues to evolve to meet the needs of 21st-century learners—while honoring the trailblazers who understood that the future of Jewish education rests in a shared commitment to tradition, innovation, and each other.