Chronicling Change and Community at the Workers Circle

The Workers Circle’s historic newsletter, the Call, covered the political debate, activism, and Yiddish culture at the Workmen’s Circle during a period of monumental change.

LEARN ABOUT THE CALL'S ORIGINS

JOURNEY THROUGH WORKERS CIRCLE HISTORY

The Call was originally created as an English-language newsletter for the Workmen’s Circle’s youth wing. Also known as Call of Youth and the Young Circle Bulletin, it was published continuously from 1929 onward, eventually becoming the Workers Circle’s primary English-language newsletter. The Call not only featured discussion of Ashkenazi Jewish culture in America, but became a mouthpiece for American labor and progressive movement leaders, with op-eds from the likes of New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas.

Today, the Workmen’s Circle is known as the Workers Circle, a name change adopted in 2019 to emphasize the inclusive nature of its community.

Travel through the history of the Workers Circle by exploring these themes, or jump straight into the Call Archive.

EXPLORE the most discussed issues

THE CALL ARCHIVE

Curated Articles from The Call Archive

Featured

The Workmen’s Circle, co-founder of the Jewish Labor Committee, became known as the “Red Cross of Labor”

1930s

Workers Rights: Red Cross of Labor

The Workmen’s Circle, co-founder of the Jewish Labor Committee, became known as the “Red Cross of Labor”

1930s

Workers Rights: Red Cross of Labor

The Workmen’s Circle was a founding member of the Jewish Labor Committee, formed in 1934 to oppose the rise of Nazism. Led through its early years by Workmen’s Circle members Baruch Charney Vladeck and Adolph Held, the JLC boycotted Nazi goods and, after the war broke out, aided thousands of refugees.

1930s

Workers Rights: Red Cross of Labor

Featured

A Liberty Ship Named the “B. C. Vladeck” and a B-25 bomber Named “The Spirit of the Workmen’s Circle of Los Angeles”

1940s

Rise of Fascism and WWII: Resisting

A Liberty Ship Named the “B. C. Vladeck” and a B-25 bomber Named “The Spirit of the Workmen’s Circle of Los Angeles”

1940s

Rise of Fascism and WWII: Resisting

Through its fundraising drives to support the war effort, the Workmen’s Circle purchased more than $1,000,000 of war bonds. In recognition, a Liberty Ship, the B. Charney Vladeck, and a bomber, The Spirit of the Workmen’s Circle, were named in honor of the Workmen’s Circle.

1940s

Rise of Fascism and WWII: Resisting

Featured

1950s

Chapters Across North America: Early Branches

I Married The Workmen's Circle

1950s

Chapters Across North America: Early Branches

Not only did the Workmen’s Circle offer people a wide range of services, but it also provided them with opportunities to connect socially and personally.

1950s

Chapters Across North America: Early Branches

Featured

1960s

Civil Rights: Labor’s Civil Rights Commitment

We Marched for Jobs and Freedom for All

1960s

Civil Rights: Labor’s Civil Rights Commitment

The Workmen’s Circle actively encouraged its members to participate in the Civil Rights Movement and took concrete action, including joining the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

1960s

Civil Rights: Labor’s Civil Rights Commitment

Featured

1970s

Yiddish: The Performing Arts

We Kept Yiddish Culture Alive

1970s

Yiddish: The Performing Arts

In pursuit of its unquenchable desire to carry Yiddish to the people, the Workmen’s Circle organized Yiddish concerts in New York’s Central Park that were attended by thousands.

1970s

Yiddish: The Performing Arts