Charles: I actually hadn’t heard of GatherDC prior to applying for this role. I spent about 6 months in the District before the pandemic hit, so I didn’t really have time to find my Jewish niche in the city. But when I saw the job posting for an Administrative Coordinator and learned more about Gather, I was immediately drawn in. Our whole approach to community-building and connecting with Judaism on your own terms, along with our focus on young adults, really appeals to me.
I have a background in arts marketing and dramaturgy/literary management, both which involve some database and organizational work that I’m bringing to this position. I love thinking about how to make underlying systems more useful and efficient to support my colleagues and the work of my organization. I’m most excited that Gather’s direct work feels so connected to our mission, and to meet lots of other Jewish (and Jew-curious) folks in the DMV.
Charles: My dream day in the DMV would start with a run through Rock Creek Park. Then I would stop by one of our city’s many wonderful farmer’s markets or Call Your Mother for breakfast. After that I would meet up with one of my friends to read and write together in a coffee shop like Potter’s House or Soho Tea & Coffee and then wander over to browse one of our amazing local indie bookstores like Loyalty Books or Second Story and try not to buy too many books. In the evening, I would have some friends over for dinner and a game night—I love hosting.
Charles: My all-time favorite books are Neuromancer by William Gibson and Something That May Shock and Discredit You by Daniel M. Lavery. My favorite book I’ve read this year is Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi; their writing is so breathtaking!
Charles: Read, write letters, bake, and play board and tabletop roleplaying games with friends.
Charles: I’m most looking forward to being back in the same orbit as my community (I went to school in Baltimore and made a lot of connections living in DC my first year after college) and getting to know the city better. There’s still so much to explore and so many people to meet. But I’m going to miss being near my family, and the incredible food scene—you can’t beat LA tacos, boba, or produce.
Charles: My Jewish role model is my twin sister, Rachel. She is brilliant and extremely self-possessed. Her Judaism is very personal to her but also very community focused, so she inspires me to be introspective both and focus on what’s important to me personally as well as how I can uplift others.
Charles: The best part about being a twin is having a built-in best friend who isn’t afraid to push you and help you grow. (We’re in a writing workshop together and are each other’s most thoughtful and incisive critics.) The worst part about having a twin is that other people often stop thinking about the two of you as individuals as soon as they find out you have a twin.
Charles: I’d love to learn woodworking. I did props design and a little bit of theater set construction in college, but I would love to be able to actually build furniture.
Charles: …we challenge each other to be the best versions of ourselves.
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