Rachel Gildiner is a leading expert in the field of relational engagement. She is the Executive Director of GatherDC, the premier relational platform for Jewish 20s & 30s in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Through the power of personal connection, GatherDC builds community and helps its constituents create sustained Jewish identities in adulthood. Before launching GatherDC, Rachel pioneered Hillel International’s peer-engagement and education initiatives, which reached thousands of unengaged Jews on college campuses nationwide.
Rachel has also used her relational approach to advance women’s equity in the Jewish workplace and beyond. In 2019, she launched Year of the Jewish Woman, a vibrant Facebook community where female Jewish professionals and allies can connect to discuss key issues and challenges. She is a vocal advocate and published thought leader in this area.
Rachel has a B.A. in Sociology from Columbia University and a B.A. from the Jewish Theological Seminary in Modern Jewish Studies. She also has an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University, along with a Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Yeshiva University. She is a certified Ayeka Soulful Jewish Educator and a current Schusterman Foundation Fellow. Rachel lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and three children.
