The Workers Circle

"As the country responsible for the pain inflicted on these separated families, the United States must provide them with mental health services, asylum with a pathway to citizenship and financial reparations. Anything less would be unjust."

It’s not too late to learn Yiddish from the comfort of your own home! Register today for a class and take your Yiddish language knowledge to the next level. This is our biggest semester of Yiddish yet, with more than 50 classes for all levels. Click to see our full class list and register: https://www.circle.org/yiddishregistration

WATCH: On January 31 we were joined by internationally recognized authority on Yiddish folk and theater music, Zalmen Mlotek for a Yiddish Schmooze! During the hour-long virtual event, Workers Circle Director of Yiddish Programming Nikolai (Kolya) Borodulin talks with Mr. Mlotek not only about Yiddish theatre but his parents’ work and legacy.

Congress is moving quickly to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill based on President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan. It is critical that Covid-19 relief is provided to all families regardless of immigration status. Take action and urge your members Congress to support a fully inclusive plan!

New Washington Post Letter to the Editor by our CEO Ann Toback responds to the Biden Administration's reunification of families separated by the previous administration: "Though Mr. Biden’s task force must immediately begin the urgent work of reunifying families, the administration must also commit to long-term support for these traumatized families so they may truly heal.

WATCH: The first session in the Workers Circle In the Midst series. What happens when an infamous miscarriage of American justice against nine Black teenagers is translated to the avant garde Yiddish stage of 1930s Polandand beyond? Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell, with guests Alyssa Quint and Eli Rosenblatt, visit playwright Leyb Malach’s 1935 international hit Mississippi.

As voters, we turned out in record numbers in the face of a pandemic, economic collapse, and attempts to stop us. We will count every vote, because that is what our democracy is about and that is what our nation deserves.

We must count every vote because every voter’s voice and opinion matters. That’s how our democracy works. No candidate can legitimately claim victory before votes are counted. We need to let our election officials do their job to ensure every vote is accurately and securely counted before we declare a winner.

Statement from Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback as we await the results from Election Day, November 3, 2020: This election season has been unlike any other with more people voting early and by mail than ever before and record turnout from Americans young and old, from cities and suburbs, of every race and place. American voters overcame the challenges of the pandemic, long lines, and even threats to make our voices heard. State election officials, and not the President or any o...ther federal official, certify state election results, with the US Congress following suit. And that process will take some time. That is what our democracy is about, and that is what our nation deserves. We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, one that is being defined by how we are holding our elected officials accountable while trusting in and strengthening our democracy. Throughout the history of the Workers Circle, we have advocated for fundamental civil and human rights. We have championed the rights of workers and for equality for all people. These fights are foundational for our democracy. And we will work to end the massive voter suppression that we have seen in just this past election alone, we will fight to reclaim our country as a sanctuary for immigrants and refugees, and we vow to keep striving with partners to end centuries of systemic racism. The future of our nation is up to us. We shall stand firmly in our democratic process to insist that every vote is counted and in our progressive commitment to ensure our democracy works for all.

The members of the Workers Circle College Network shared with us what motivated them to vote. Read their responses then let us know in the comments: Why are you voting this year?

On this election day, take a minute to watch Actor-Yiddishist Mikhl Yashinsky's (www.yashinsky.com) Yiddish-language music video "It's Election Time! (S'iz Valtsayt!)" encouraging us all to vote! Did you vote today or vote early? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

We stand in solidarity with the North Carolina voters peacefully marching to make their voices heard this weekend, and we denounce all forms of voter suppression and intimidation!

We asked the members of the Workers Circle College Network to share with us why they are voting this year. Check out some of their responses. Why are you voting this year?

Because the state of the world today has us saying Oy Vey, what we need to do is Oy Vote! Sign and share our pledge to vote and be connected to resources to make a voting plan. And, because voting is so important to the Workers Circle, four people who sign will be chosen at random to receive a free Yiddish class in our world-renowned Yiddish program https://circle.org/pledge-to-vote/

WATCH: Susan Caroll, Office & Events Coordinator with the Workers Circle, recently spoke with former US Representative Steve Israel on voting rights, getting out the vote and the importance of the 2020 election. This conversation was part of the Great Schmooze, an initiative where we connected our members to each other to build community in these times of social distancing.

#WhyIVote We asked the members of the Workers Circle College Network why they are voting in the 2020 election and which issues are important to them. Check out what Chloe has to say then take the pledge to vote! https://bit.ly/2TwVfjJ #VoteReady

The Workers Circle and the The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action filed an amicus brief in support of Free Speech For People's lawsuit against President Trump and top administration officials for violently suppressing opposition, sabotaging a free and fair election, and rejecting a peaceful transfer of power. Read more: https://bit.ly/34Gika9

Join us for a special Yiddish-language schmooze with acclaimed musician, Yiddishist and activist Daniel Kahn! Meet Daniel and his family, learn his story of becoming a Yiddish performer, and enjoy some of his favorite songs. This event is free, but registration is required: https://circle.org/event/yiddish-schmooze-home-daniel-kahn/

#WhyIVote Workers Circle College Network member Sabrina spoke with NPR Here & Now on the challenges of voting with a disability and what can be done to improve accessibility. Read her interview here: https://www.wbur.org//10/28/voting-disabilities-accessibil