What does GatherDC do?
We connect Jewish 20s and 30s to each other, engage them in the DMV’s (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) Jewish community, and facilitate their development of meaningful adult Jewish identities, wherever they go in life.
That means building one-on-one connections with our community members (in other words, you!), connecting them with the people and places that best support their Jewish identity, and – when those spaces don’t yet exist – creating them ourselves through holiday experiences, learning cohorts, and more.
We’re the one-stop-shop for everything Jewish 20s and 30s need to live their best Jewish life in the DMV!
Who is GatherDC for?
We serve 20s and 30s from across the spectrum of Jewish identity, practice, and experience, including secular or religiously observant Jews (and everyone in between), Jews who have converted (or are in the process of converting), Jews from interfaith families, Jews in interfaith or multi-tradition partnerships (and their partners), and folks who do not identify as Jewish but are interested in learning more about Judaism and Jewish community (sometimes referred to as “Jew-curious” or “Jewish-adjacent”).
We are a non-denominational Jewish organization, which means we don’t promote or elevate one form of Judaism over any other. At a GatherDC experience, you’ll have the chance to connect with 20s and 30s whose personal Jewish experiences and practices vary widely. What brings us all together, however, is the desire to build a Jewish community and identity that feels absolutely essential to who we are.
Is GatherDC accessible for me?
GatherDC welcomes Jews of all abilities, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic identities, gender identities and expressions, financial means, and expressions of religiosity. But, what does that actually mean in our day-to-day work?
Our townhouse is ADA-accessible. The experiences we host both in the townhouse and around the DMV – including monthly happy hours, Jewish learning retreats, Alternative Yom Kippur, and more – are always booked in accessible spaces as well.
If we’re catering for an event – such as a Shabbat dinner, Break Fast, or Jewish learning cohort – the food we order is always vegetarian and kosher-style, so there are options for a wide variety of folks’ dietary needs.
If you’re looking for large-scale experiences with dozens of other people around, we create those spaces; if you prefer intimate cohorts and one-on-one conversations, we do that, too!
We also know that cost can be a prohibitive barrier to Jewish life for some young people, so we make every effort to remove that barrier in our experiences and resources. Our community calendar, newsletter, and other digital resources are open to all and free to use, and the experiences we host are offered at a highly subsidized rate.
If you require other accommodations or have questions, please contact us at (202) 656-0743 or info@gatherdc.org, and we will make every effort to meet your needs. An essential aspect of inclusion is continually learning and improving as we go, so if our community sees something that does not align with this value, we want to know.
I’m not in my 20s or 30s. Can I still reach out?
Because we’re a small organization, we currently focus our resources on engaging adults in their 20s and 30s. If you are not in your 20s or 30s, don’t fret! We’re happy to connect you with the DMV Jewish community by introducing you to one of our many wonderful peer organizations and lay leaders. Email us here!
There is so much going on in Jewish DMV life! Where can I start exploring?
If you’re new to the DMV Jewish community, let us be the first to say: Welcome! We’re so glad you’re interested in exploring. We encourage you to sign up for a coffee with one of our team members so you can find your people and place in DMV Jewish life.
Another great step is to connect with our online resources to stay in the know about all the goings-on for 20s and 30s:
And, our Instagram and Facebook pages offer daily updates on DMV gatherings!
Okay, I’ve signed up for coffee! What can I expect?
Our ultimate goal is to get to know the person we are sitting across from (that’s you!) so we can best help you find your people and place in Jewish DMV life. We promise that we’re friendly – and getting to know people, one-on-one, is one of the most important (and enjoyable) parts of our full-time work.
We’re excited to learn who you are, what you care about, and what you’re hoping for in your Jewish journey. Maybe you’re new to the DMV and looking for a first step into Jewish life here. Maybe you’ve been part of the Jewish community for a while, but are seeking support as you dive deeper. Maybe you just need a listening ear and good conversation!
We’ll meet you somewhere familiar and convenient, whether that’s around the corner from your office downtown or at your favorite neighborhood spot in Arlington. Whatever you’re seeking, we can’t wait to meet you, get to know you, and get you involved in Jewish DMV life – all while enjoying a beverage, on us!
I’ve heard you host monthly happy hours. What can I expect at a GatherDC happy hour?
Our monthly happy hours are a great place to get to know new friends, network with peers, meet potential roommates, and reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while. We aim to create a welcoming, friendly environment where you can come knowing no one and still feel comfortable.
At a typical happy hour, we’ll welcome between 80 and 150 people. We try to rotate month-to-month between neighborhoods, since our community members live all across the region. Happy hours are typically midweek and in the early evening. If you’re wondering when the next one is, you can always check our social media or newsletter.
Coming to a happy hour for the first time? We’d love to know so we can welcome you and introduce you to some folks. Email us and we’ll make sure to chat with you first thing when you arrive!
And, we know happy hours aren’t everyone’s vibe – if you’re looking for a one-on-one introduction to GatherDC, start with a coffee, and we’ll get you connected in a way that feels right for you.
What other Jewish experiences does GatherDC offer? How much Jewish background do I need?
We want to ensure that every Jewish person can access Jewish life that is relevant, active, and meaningful to them – which is going to look very different for each person! We host a range of our own Jewish experiences, including immersive weekend retreats, alternative holiday events, and Jewish learning cohorts.
The content of each of these experiences reflects a variety of Jewish perspectives, and is suitable for newbies and veterans alike – often in the same place at the same time. There’s no entry exam or prior knowledge required. We try to approach Jewish learning from a place of authentic conversation, connecting our own lives to the deep well of Jewish voices and experiences that have come before us.
These experiences directly reflect what our community members are enjoying, wrestling with, or needing at a specific moment in time, and often are designed based on the conversations we’re having over coffee. For a typical Jewish learning cohort, you can expect to meet weekly for four weeks, often with a Shabbat dinner to close, with fewer than 15 other community members. The small scale of these experiences allow us to dive deep into topics – and allow you to take an active and vocal role in the experience.
Why does GatherDC have a rabbi?
We’re an independent organization outside of a synagogue setting that has a full-time rabbi on our team, which means our rabbi is accessible to anyone in the community, regardless of how long you’ve been in the DMV or involved with GatherDC. Our rabbi provides educational, emotional, and spiritual support to people who may not have relationships with or access to any other rabbis. Our rabbi leads regular Jewish learning sessions, hosts Jewish holiday experiences and retreats, provides spiritual counseling, officiates life cycle events like weddings, and makes Judaism accessible and relevant to thousands of young adults.
If you want to speak or grab coffee with our rabbi, you can indicate that on your coffee form. We also have an online resource list of local rabbis and other DMV clergy members who are here to serve you, and we’re always available to make an introduction.
I haven’t felt welcome or comfortable in Jewish spaces before. What makes GatherDC different?
GatherDC is a people-first organization, meaning we prioritize relationships over participation. We meet people, without judgment, wherever they are. We give you space to honestly share what you’re looking for, what you feel you’re missing, or what you are uncertain about when it comes to Judaism or Jewish spaces. When we meet with you for coffee or invite you to join a cohort, we’re not doing it just because we want to get a certain number of people in the room; we truly want to get to know you on a personal level and make it easy to connect with Jewish community, whatever that looks like or wherever that is for you at this particular moment in time.
We also have extensive, long-running relationships with lay leaders and community members involved with Jewish spaces across the DMV, so our team is well-equipped to connect you to people and organizations who understand your specific background, wants, and needs.
How did this all start, anyway?
GatherDC began in Winter 2010 as “Gather the Jews,” a grassroots volunteer project spearheaded by a group of friends who wanted to make it easier for 20s and 30s to connect with one another and Jewish life in the DMV. In 2016, we became an officially independent 501(c)(3), and updated our name to GatherDC a year later. Since then, we’ve connected thousands of 20s and 30s to one another and to our local Jewish ecosystem. And we are excited to keep doing that work with you!
I have more questions. Where can I go?
Email us here – we can’t wait to hear from you!
