An Update on GatherBay’s Future

Dear friends,

I hope you’re doing as well as possible given the challenging times we’re in, and that you found some moments of rest this weekend.

With profound sadness, we are writing to let you know that GatherBay is sunsetting as of June 30, 2025.

Since GatherBay launched in August 2022 as a pilot expansion of GatherDC (our flagship city), our team has seen the deep and lasting impact of our approach. Our work—meeting people where they’re at spiritually, emotionally, and Jewishly, getting to know them, and helping them find their people and their place in the Bay Area Jewish landscape—has been incredibly rewarding. (The work with our sibling city, GatherDC, will be continuing.)

Unfortunately, despite the impact of our work and the enthusiastic response of community members and colleagues (including you!), we have not been able to secure funding to continue our work. This is due to larger trends in the local and national Jewish funding landscape. While GatherBay will not continue, we hope the relationship-based work we’ve done will continue to ripple out in the years ahead.

In the coming months, Gray is available for closing coffees (or walks)—feel free to grab time on their Calendly.

You’re welcome to reply here with any questions. Below is a message from the board chair of Gather, Inc (our umbrella organization).

In gratitude and community,
Caroline and Gray

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Dear GatherBay Community,

Over a decade ago, GatherDC launched with a bold vision: to help 20s and 30s in the Washington, DC metro area find their people and their place in the Jewish community. Over the past decade we have made a profound impact—creating meaningful relationships, empowering leaders, and strengthening Jewish life for thousands of young adults.

Four years ago, we embarked on an ambitious expansion, launching Gather, Inc., a national strategy designed to extend our reach and impact. This bold experiment led to the creation of GatherBay, serving the young adult community in the Bay Area, and Gather Trainings, which has provided resources and coaching to over 50 organizations nationwide. We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished in these past four years—bringing our relational approach to new communities and shaping the way Jewish organizations engage young adults.

However, despite the success and impact of these initiatives, we have not been able to secure the long-term funding necessary to sustain Gather, Inc. as a national entity. As a result, on June 30th, we will be pausing our national strategy including sunsetting GatherBay and shifting strategy on Gather Trainings.

As part of this transition, Michelle Shapiro Abraham, who has served as CEO of Gather, Inc. for the past year and a half, will be moving on by June 30th. We are deeply grateful for her leadership, vision, and dedication during this period of growth and change. At the same time, we are excited to share Alexandra Tureau Meyer, who currently serves as Managing Director for GatherDC, will be stepping in as Executive Director for the organization and will continue her incredible work guiding GatherDC into its next chapter.

In the coming months, we will work to make the resources from Gather Trainings available on our website and thoughtfully wrap up our relationships in the Bay Area. In addition, we remain deeply committed to relationship-based engagement as a critical approach to deepening and expanding Jewish life, and look forward to remaining a part of the national conversation. We are incredibly grateful to the funders, partners, staff, and community members who made this work possible, and we look forward to carrying forward the lessons and successes as we refocus on our home base in DC.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We are excited for what’s ahead and remain grateful for your ongoing support and partnership.

Kevin Berman, Board Chair