Dear Friend,

I write to you from my living room in New York City. At a dizzying speed, we have all been moved into a world of isolation, worry, and great challenge. Like many of you, I am physically separated from my family, friends, and my Workers Circle community. But, even in these hard times, I am finding strength and inspiration in our communal world, a community full of people who are finding ways to virtually support each other and more.

Two weeks ago we closed our headquarters in order to keep our members and staff safe, and our Workers Circle staff started working remotely from home. Our entire staff is now working to create virtual programs that will give you opportunities to continue to connect to our yiddishkayt and social justice initiatives from home.

I am pleased to share that all of our in-person Yiddish classes are now taking place virtually, joining our robust online Yiddish offerings. And we are already working to expand our Yiddish programs to our entire community and beyond.

Our schools too have moved online, and I have experienced amazing virtual community and support shared by each of our schools, led by outstanding and creative teachers, coordinators, and directors.

I am also heartened by the kind words and encouragement I have received personally, and by the feedback and donations the organization has received from our Workers Circle community. I am reminded that we are truly all in this together. And today we find inspiration in our roots as a mutual aid society, a community that has supported each other through challenges for 120 years and will do so for the next 120.

Today as always, we remain ready to do the hard work of building a better world for all/a shenere un besere velt far ale. Wishing you, your family, and friends health and safety today and always!

Ann Toback,
CEO

Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

On March 25, 1911, 146 lives (many of them young immigrant women) were lost in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire due to employer greed and negligence. Each year, we join in commemorating this tragedy and pledge to move forward with activism to protect workers into the future. This year, in memory of the fire’s victims, the teens of our Youth Stand Up for Justice Program held a virtual commemoration. And we launched a new campaign urging our lawmakers to do everything they can to help our frontline health care workers during the current pandemic. These frontline heroes are in desperate need of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep them safe as they care for the people of our country. Send a letter to your elected official today and urge them to do everything in their power to get PPE’s into the hands of frontline health care workers around the country.

Taking a Stand Against Trump’s Racist Wealth Test

As part of our ongoing campaign against the bigoted public charge rule, the Workers Circle has been speaking out and taking action. Earlier this month, Ann Toback shared a letter to the editor in the New York Times. In it, she calls Trump’s changes to the public charge rule “abhorrent and antithetical to the America we experience living in New York.” Read the letter here. The letter was a response to Trump’s changes to the rule going into effect in February. These changes are nothing more than an attempt to close our borders so only a subset of immigrants — primarily wealthy and white — are allowed through. You can learn more about our public charge campaign here, and watch your email inbox as we will be updating you with actions you can take and other ways to get involved.

Purim Afternoon of Action

This Purim, just prior to our being confined to our homes, students from our Manhattan School dedicated their Purim celebration to an afternoon of action in support of our friends at the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). Their Purim program kicked off with the students packing over a hundred Shalach Manos (gift bags) including gloves, hats and scarves, which were then distributed to a local shelter for refugees and asylum seekers. They ended their afternoon with a march to a local Wendy’s restaurant where they demanded that the Wendy’s corporation sign on to the Fair Food Agreement, which ensures better wages and working conditions for farmers in their supply chain. Thanks to the generosity of the Workers Circle community, we were able to purchase items for the Purim bags. Due to Covid-19, the CIW postponed their scheduled NYC week of action, which was the original plan for the day and the gift bags. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this afternoon of action, and we will keep you informed about on how you can join us in taking action in solidarity with farmworkers everywhere.

Breakfast with Champions: Jumaane Williams

Thank you to NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for joining us at our most recent Breakfast with Champions. The morning was an informative and illuminating discussion on issues we care about: worker safety and justice, health care and immigrant rights. Jumaane has been a long-time champion for the people of New York, and we were privileged to have him join us and answer our questions. You can watch video of the discussion here.

Take an Online Yiddish Class Today!

Take a Yiddish class from the comfort of your home! Our Yiddish language team is diligently working to convert all our in-person classes to online classes and provide you with a full Yiddish curriculum you can take at home. From basic Yiddish conversation skills to advanced courses on Yiddish literature, there is a class for you. No matter your experience, take your Yiddish skills to the next level.

Become a Workers Circle Advocate for Change

Help support our mission year-round by becoming a monthly donor! For just $10 a month, you will become an Advocate for Change. As a monthly donor, you are able to support our mission in a way that allows us to count on your donation – regardless of what is going on in the world. In honor of our 120th anniversary, we will be sending Workers Circle tote bags (once we are back in the office) to the first 120 people who become a monthly donor at $10 a month. Your gift will help us grow our Social Justice, Yiddish Language, Jewish Culture, and Education programs, and more. Sign up today!

Donate your birthday to the Workers Circle!

In honor of our 120th Anniversary, we are asking you to donate your birthday to the Workers Circle this year! Create a Facebook fundraiser for the Workers Circle and support our mission for a better and more beautiful world. Simply click here and follow the step-by-step instructions to set up your fundraiser. Once published, make sure to share it with your friends and family. Let them know why the Workers Circle is an important cause for you, and encourage them to support our mission!

Thanks to our members, allies and supporters.

And thanks to the following foundations for your contributions to the Workers Circle: Atran Foundation, Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation, Inc., The Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation, New York Immigration Coalition, The Slomo & Cindy Silvian Foundation, Chaim Schwartz Foundation, Merle S. Cahn Foundation, Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation, The Jewish Education Project and UJA Federation of New York, Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, Sidney S. Stern Memorial Trust, R&S Strauss Family Foundation, Sonya Staff Foundation, Living Classrooms Foundation.

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