Approach

My approach is informed by my studies in restorative justice practices, Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology & Process Work facilitation. I have trained in conflict mediation, social justice frameworks & anti-oppression modalities. To my work, I bring five years of professional experience in operations & people management.

Restorative justice is a philopsophy of approaching conflict and community building that centers needs and relationships. It is the opposite of a punitive and shaming approach to addressing harm. Process Work is a method of using awareness in service of the process that is wanting to emerge for a group, couple or individual, facilitating a relationship between what is more known & lesser known, and finding meaning & medicine in conflict & disturbances. Hakomi is the assisted self-study of one's somatic experience using a state of mindfulness in order to access deeper feelings, the nuances of our lived experience.

My facilitation style is always infused with humor, creativity & play, incorporating elements of visual art, movement, improv and storytelling. I wish to facilitate change that is sustainable, aligned with justice and in service to emotional, social and spiritual healing. I seek to create spaces that support deeper levels of connection and mutual understanding.

Photo by Julia Maryanska

Why "Gather"? At the core of my being lies the love of strongly-knit community. Gather is my favorite verb. I am most fulfilled when I have all of my people around me weaving a supportive & generative network. My approach engages our deepest human yearnings to be connected and feel whole both within ourselves and with each other. My work is in service of a vision of the world where dismantling systems of oppression makes space for embodied collective liberation and joy. Gather practices radical hospitality by supporting us all to find home and belonging.

Offerings

Restorative Justice + Conflict Work

The restorative approach centers the needs of all parties involved, asks what must happen in order to make repair in relationships, and views conflict as an opportunity to cultivate deeper mutual understanding. I offer group and pair mediations, RJ/conflict trainings and 1:1 conflict coaching sessions.

Creative Facilitation

As an artist, I believe that creativity is innate in every person. I guide groups into closer connection with themselves and with one another through processes that open up the creative portal and allow curiosity to lead.

Community Building

Weaving together restorative approaches and creative methods, I develop trainings, gatherings and workshops that allow participants to connect in authentic ways below surface level.

Rates

Please get in touch with me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, and request further information and pricing!

Testimonials

Collaborating with Elena was a joyful, creative and fulfilling process. She is a detail-oriented producer and a clear communicator. Elena facilitates from a heart-centered place, offering participants a container to drop into a deep personal space and share vulnerably with community. She is a gifted and skilled facilitator, and *working* with her was a wonderful experience.

- Hadar Cohen, artist, educator

Elena is definitely one of the people that helped me grow in so many ways. Because of Elena's enthusiastic and kind personality, I've always felt safe and welcomed in our peer mediators group. She has always been passionate about teamwork, effective communication, and just overall rooting for everyone's success in our group. She's the type of person that will support you to help you reach your highest potential and also apply what you've learned in the real world. I've learned so much about conflict resolution, even created new connections, and discovered new things about myself!

- Angela, high school student, peer mediator

From the get-go, Elena welcomed us to the retreat with warmth. She designed an experience that allowed me to connect with people and feel at ease, and she incorporated many thoughtful and creative touches throughout our time together. As a facilitator, Elena used invitational language that was trauma-informed and allowed me to feel safe participating at the level that felt right for me.

- Jessie Duke, retreat participant

Elena's care, thoughtfulness, consistency, and overall energy brings so much creativity, structure, and joy to our work. She is able to create and facilitate a safe space with ease. Elena is flexible in our rapidly changing environment, and isn't afraid to bring and try on new ideas. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her and am looking forward to our future collaborations.

- Nupur Behera, RJ practitioner, co-facilitator/collaborator, artist, educator

Bringing together artists, creative beings, and seekers for a weekend of delightful exploration, Elena created such a nourishing container where everyone could be supported in not only connecting with one another but most importantly, with themselves. I left feeling like my artistic spirit experienced real rejuvenation, a coming back to parts of myself that were craving both social community and internal spiritual nourishment. Our group shared fantastic conversations, engaged in meaningful and thoughtful Jewish rituals, and had opportunities to share authentically in group reflection spaces where it felt like everyone was genuinely seen and encouraged to step into their power--which I credit to Elena's ability to masterfully reflect back the kindest, most supportive parts of people and who they are. Elena is a fantastic facilitator, and I found that in her presence, I was able to experience a real sense of safety that allowed for deep support and healing. She's an all-around generous, warm, and kind human being. I honestly can't wait for the next retreat. Would recommend her 100%!

- Gabby Cohen, retreat participant

Elena was an excellent facilitator during her workshop with Hillel at Stanford, making students across grade levels feel welcomed and intellectually challenged. Her facilitation style was successful in mixing group discussion with time for a gallery walk and reflections. Everyone came away having learned something new about the relationship between Judaism and economic justice and liberation. Would love to work with her again!

- Sarah Tibbitts Hillel at Stanford, Springboard Social Justice Fellow/Cooperman Tzedek Fellow

About Elena Pinsky

I am a restorative justice practitioner, facilitator and artist working at the intersections of creativity and connection. To all of my Gather offerings, I bring empathy, compassion, a keen understanding of relational dynamics and a social justice lens. I hold a vision of an interdependent & thriving world close to my heart. I dance equally with the sacred and the profane, and I love exploring the unknown. I see the value in all sides of a conflict.

My work is infused with a spiritual tenor, as I weave in learnings from my Jewish heritage, a two-year women's rites of passage journey and Buddhist teachings in meditation and mindfulness. I am never without a project, be it cooking for a dinner party, watercoloring or singing and songwriting.

Photo by Julia Maryanska

About Elena Pinsky

I am a restorative justice practitioner, facilitator & artist working at the intersections of creativity and connection. To all of my Gather offerings, I bring empathy, compassion, a keen understanding of relational dynamics and a social justice lens. I hold a vision of an interdependent and thriving world close to my heart. I dance equally with the sacred and the profane, and I love exploring the unknown. I see the value in all sides of a conflict.

Past Events

Past Events

Terra Incognita—An Embodied Retreat for the Creative Soul | December 2021, 2022

Make contact with that which inspires us to create
Explore the forces that both move us to & block us from alchemizing our dreams into matter
Guided movement, storytelling, watercolors
Time for personal inquiry & group sharing
Get to know the landscape of your own possibility
Ask how our Jewish lineage informs this holy process

Feeding the Self—interactive multi-sensory shabbat experience | Nov. 2019

So often, we eat rushing, standing up, while talking to friends. The intimate relationship between ourselves and our food is diminished. What happens to our taste buds when our sight is blocked? What does it take to bring pleasure to the act of feeding ourselves? Participants will be asked to wear a blindfold and observe silence while they are served a 4-course meal.

Feeding Another—interactive multi-sensory shabbat experience | Dec. 2019

What is our relationship to giving and receiving nourishment? How do we negotiate these themes in relationship? Participants will be asked to bring a partner to dinner, during which they will only be able to feed one another - never themselves - and communicate non-verbally.

Education + Trainings

MA in Process-Oriented Facilitation and Conflict Studies | Process Work Institute | Portland, OR | 2021
Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapy | Hakomi Institute of CA | Berkeley, CA | 2021
40-Hour Conflict Mediation Training | SEEDS | Berkeley, CA | 2017
BA in Anthropology, Spanish (minor) | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 2010
Trauma to Dharma Level 1 | Hakomi Institute of CA | 2020
Women’s Rites of Passage Journey | Tree of Life | Sonoma County, CA | 2017-2019
Coaching Fundamentals | Coaches Training Institute | San Rafael, CA | 2019
Group Leadership & Social Permaculture weekend | Earth Activist Training | Oakland, CA | 2018
Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Resolution | East Point Peace Academy | Oakland, CA | 2018
Restorative Justice Training | Oakland Unified School District | Oakland, CA | 2017
Jewish Service Corps | Avodah | New Orleans | 2011