| | Dear Friend, Election day is November 8, and early voting has started across the country. There is a lot riding on this upcoming election, not least of which is the future of our democracy. In the face of a wave of disinformation and voter suppression, voting now is more important than ever. Our Workers Circle activist community is committed to building a multi-racial, multicultural democracy that works for every one of us. That’s why we’re not just defending democracy; we’re demanding it. The United States has seen a surge in fascist political tactics, and in response to this, the Workers Circle has begun the Demand Democracy — Fight Fascism campaign. We will engage in direct actions in support of our democracy and in support of the right of everyone to vote and have their vote counted. We will build and work within strong coalitions. And we are launching and resourcing community-driven Democracy Circles to educate, build power and community to face this moment. Our Democracy Circles will give everyone the opportunity to engage in activism and community year round, because our fight for democracy will not end on Election Day. Tomorrow night, November 1 at 7 PM ET, we will be hosting Remaking American Democracy: The Ballot and Beyond. I invite you to join us for this virtual program, where you will receive an up-to-the-minute picture of the challenges facing our democracy and explore the cultural, historical, and grassroots power of “we the people” to fight for the America we must become. At the Workers Circle we continue to find inspiration, strength, and joy in our Yiddish traditions, Jewish cultural engagement, and our strong community. A community that learns, celebrates, and collectively acts for a shenere un besere velt far ale / a better world for all. You can learn more about our most recent initiatives and celebration in this edition of The Call. In friendship,
| | | | | | | | College Network Builds Community and Power The Workers Circle College Network is a national network of college students connected for social justice and inspired by Yiddish culture. In the face of attacks on our democracy, now more than ever, students understand the need to come together to fight for justice. The College Network gathers frequently, in-person and via zoom, for cultural programs, community-building events, and direct action to build a better and more beautiful world for all. We foster a sense of belonging and ongoing involvement in the Workers Circle for transformative social change. Connect college students in your life with us by emailing college@circle.org. | | | | Youth Stand Up for Justice is Training Teens for Activism Now! Our teen activist training program, Youth Stand Up For Justice, is having an exciting resurgence this year! Grounded in Workers Circle’s activist history, we empower teens with organizing skills to become lifelong leaders of social change. Our fall offering was a Youth Power Democracy program which inspired teen-led voter registration and pre-registration drives. In December we’ll launch our Activist Academy which includes monthly workshops taught by renowned frontline grassroots organizers and immersion learning at major protest actions. Our kickoff event is Music for Social Change on December 11, 3:00–5:00 PM ET at Workers Circle Headquarters. Please have the teens in your life email amiller@circle.org to get involved! | | | | Democracy is on the ballot November 8 Democracy is on the ballot November 8! Use our voting tools to make sure you are ready and able to vote. We continue to work strategically to ensure that voters of color, who have been targeted by new state voter suppression laws, have the information they need to cast their ballot. Our phonebanks, postcarding, and textbanking provide essential support for grassroots mobilizations by trusted organizations of color like Black Voters Matter and NAACP. And, we’re sending a Workers Circle delegation to Get Out the Vote together with Black Voters Matter in Philadelphia on November 5. Stay in-the-know for the election and beyond. Sign up for our social justice list! | | | | | | YIDDISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE | | | | | | Keeping Yiddish Alive at the Workers Circle! The 2022 Workers Circle week-long Trip to Yiddishland, held in August, was enjoyed by 169 attendees, including 25 children. We held a special preview event during Yiddishland for The Yosl and Chana Mlotek Digital Yiddish Music Collection at The Workers Circle. (Look out for information about the Collection’s launch in December.) Attendees traveled from all over the United Stated and five countries. Forty percent of adults attended for the first time. It was truly a celebration of Yiddish language, culture, and friendship. Our fall semester has begun with over 400 registrations. Registered students are from 20 countries and 34 states. Our 19 distinguished instructors come from eight countries. Save the Dates Events on Zoom: Sunday, December 11, 1:00 PM ET
London Yiddishtown: East End Jewish Life in Yiddish Sketch and Story Sunday, December 18, 1:00 PM ET
Annual Yiddish Khanike Party | | | | | | | | The Workers Circle Jewish Cultural Schools Celebrate the High Holidays Our Jewish Cultural schools in Westchester, Brooklyn, and Manhattan kicked off this year with joyful holiday celebrations. Highlights include Westchester’s apple turnover baking for Rosh Hashone (to symbolize turning over a new leaf), Brooklyn’s first ever Sukkot camping trip in New Jersey’s Jenny Jump State Forest, and Manhattan’s family Sukkot celebration that involved graham cracker suke making and honoring immigrant ancestors. Our schools have robust educational activities planned for the rest of the year including student driven social justice campaigns, deep dives into family histories and cultural legacies, Yiddish language learning, and ways to strengthen democracy. Learn more about the cultural schools here. | | | | | | | | Workers Circle Members Enjoyed a Free Holiday Cooking Program Are you familiar with kokosh, babka's lesser known Hungarian cousin? In October, we celebrated Sukkot and learned about Jewish history by making Apple Butter, Cinnamon, and Walnut Kokosh with Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback and Kat Romanow, a Jewish food historian and co-founder of The Wandering Chew, an organization with a mission to tell the diversity of Jewish stories through food. Learn about how you can show support for the Workers Circle’s mission and experience discounted Yiddish classes and free/discounted events like this one at www.circle.org/join. | | | | | | | | The Workers Circle Elects New President, Two Board Members Mazel tov to the new members of the Workers Circle Board of Directors who were voted in by our membership and officially joined our leadership at our annual membership meeting earlier this month. Members of The Workers Circle voted to elect Zeev Dagan to a two-year term as the organization’s new President. Dagan succeeds Richard Rumelt, who will now serve as Past President. Additionally, members of the organization voted to elect Robert Kaplan, and re-elect Eva Zasloff to the Board. Learn more about our new leaders by reading their bios in our press release. Each board member brings with them great enthusiasm for our work and will help us remain at the forefront of social justice activism and cultural Jewish education. “I am honored to be elected by my fellow members of the Workers Circle as President of the Board, and would like to congratulate Robert Kaplan on his election to the Board, and Eva Zasloff on her re-election. I look forward to working with our diverse and talented Board and staff to advance the Workers Circle’s mission of advancing social justice and democracy through a Jewish lens,” said Board President Zeev Dagan. | | | | | | Buy Your Ticket Today: Annual Benefit: Defending Democracy, December 5, NYC The Workers Circle Annual Benefit: Defending Democracy will take place at Tribeca 360 in Manhattan, NY. Join with members of our community and the members of our Host Committee, including actors Jesse Eisenberg, Mary-Louise Parker, Betsy Aidem, and Malky Goldman for our Annual Benefit in NYC to celebrate our long tradition of activism — and light a spark for the next generation. We will be honoring actress and singer, Jessica Hecht, with the Workers Circle Activism Award at what promises to be a fantastic evening filled with fun, food, and a special performance by Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars featuring Sarah Gordon. Leslie Goshko, host of Sideshow Goshko and the New York Times and Time Out New York's "Critics' Pick," will return to emcee this event. Get your tickets today! | | | | | | Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world, will take place on November, 29, 2022. The Workers Circle has taken part in Giving Tuesday in previous years, and your generous support has helped us fundraise for the next generation of activists, for campaigns on social and economic justice, and much more. Stay tuned for details on how you can support the Workers Circle and our mission during this global day of giving! | | | | | | | | | |
