Meet Our Staff
By workmenscircle
So what do you do, Kolya Borodulin?
Title: Master Teacher
With WC/AR since: 1994
Hometown: Birobidzhan
Lives: Staten Island
I direct educational programs for Yiddish students of all ages at The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring.
I became a Yiddish educator by coincidence, which as years go by, makes me think more and more that it was “bashert” (destined). I am fortunate to be part of the Workmen’s Circle Community because it gives me an opportunity to use my modest abilities to develop Yiddish education programs for people of all ages. Currently, I am coordinating and teaching Yiddish programs for Workmen’s Circle communities throughout the metropolitan area.
I’m very excited to explore new ways to communicate Yiddish language and culture as Workmen’s Circle develops its new mission and vision around progressive values and Jewish education. My goal as an educator is to convey my passion of Yiddish culture to students while instilling within them the responsibility to respect and embrace it as an integral part of Jewish heritage. For learners, Yiddish will provide new insights into Jewish history, Jewish world literature, music, and folklore.
I plan to continue my efforts in popularizing Yiddish. I hope to attract younger generations, continue to develop innovative learning materials, better integrate technology. Where local teachers are not available, I hope to introduce online learning programs. My dream is to bring about Yiddish as an elective in NY’s public school system, and if this happens, fun mayn moyl in Got’s oyer (from my mouth to God’s ear), to bring it in to other cities in the US and beyond.
February 15th, 2011
The Cloth from Which We Are Cut
By workmenscircle
Concert Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
WHEN: Saturday, March 26, 2011, 7 pm
WHERE: Middle Collegiate Church, 50 East 7th Street , (212) 477-0666
TRANSPORT: Subway: Astor Pl-8th St-Lexington
The tragic Triangle Factory Fire of 1911 took the lives of 146 women and girls — and catalyzed the movement for justice in American labor. The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring was a first responder – comforting families, burying victims, and walking picket lines to fight for immigrant workers.
Now, the new Workmen’s Circle invites you to join us for an exhilarating musical evening of songs and story that ask: What can we learn from the fire a century ago? What can we change today?
This special concert stars the 80-person A Besere Velt (A Better World) Yiddish Community Chorus of Boston Workmen’s Circle; Si Kahn, legendary singer/songwriter and labor activist; students of the Workmen’s Circle’s Midtown Jewish School; Adrienne Cooper, Michael Winograd and friends. Songs in Yiddish, English and Italian.
Tickets $10 at: www.circle.org or phone 212.889-6800 ext. 212
Limited tickets available. Click here to reserve your space.
Co-sponsors: 6th Street Synagogue, Middle Collegiate Church, Congregation Kolot Chayenu/Voices of Our Lives: Building a Progressive Jewish Community in Brooklyn, Jewish Currents Magazine, Midtown WC/AR Jewish School.
5 Jewish Humor Books to Put You in Stitches [DISCOUNT]
By workmenscircle
Sick of the snow? Tired of the cold? Winter blahs getting you down? Your friends at Workmen’s Circle prescribe these hilarious Jewish humor books as you wait for spring to hurry up and arrive already.
Order through our website at www.jewishbookcenter.com and use coupon code FUNNYHAHA at checkout to receive a 20% discount on these titles! (Click the titles for more information)
by Catherine Carney
Kvetch As Kvetch Can: Jewish Cartoons
by Ken Krimstein
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Pub. Date: October 2010
96pp – hardcover
ISBN: 9780307588883
$12.99
Cartoonist Ken Krimstein has put together a matzo-ball-soup-through-your-nose-funny collection of his unorthodox (sometimes Reform) Jewish-themed comics.
For the Love of Being Jewish: An A-to-Z Primer for Bubbies, Menschs, Meshugies, Tzaddiks, and Yentas!
by Steven Lowenstein
Publisher: Triumph Books
Pub. Date: September 2010
48pp – hardcover
ISBN: 9781600784033
$16.95
Funny and quirky, For the Love of Being Jewish uses all 26 letters – along with catchy rhymes and whimsical illustrations – to explore Jewish heritage.
Old Jews Telling Jokes: 5,000 Years of Funny Bits and Not-So-Kosher Laughs
by Sam Hoffman with Eric Spiegelman
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Pub. Date: September 2010
256pp – paperback
ISBN: 9780345522351
$15.00
A grasshopper walked into a bar and ordered a drink.
The bartender looked at him and said, “You know we have a drink named after you?”
The grasshopper replied, “You have a drink named Stanley?”
With Borscht Belt gags from Brooklyn to Bel Air to Boca, Old Jews Telling Jokes is chicken soup for your funny bone. I mean, would it kill you to laugh a little?
The Book of Murray: The Life, Teachings, and Kvetching of the Lost Prophet
by David M. Bader
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Pub. Date: August 2010
176pp – hardcover
ISBN: 9780307453242
$14.99
Filled with divinely inspired yet practical advice (“Thou shall not freelance”), The Book of Murray is an affectionate and mirthful romp for readers of all cultures. Study its truths, learn the prophet’s stories, and, in the immortal words of Murray (handed down by his dyslexic scribe), “Go froth (sic) and multiply.
The Big Jewish Book for Jews
by Ellis Weiner, Barbara Davilman
Publisher: Penguin Group
Pub. Date: July 2010
256 pp – paperback
ISBN: 9780452296442
$17.00
A hilarious compendium of traditional wisdom, recipes, and lore from the authors of the bestselling Yiddish with Dick and Jane.
Yiddish Dance Programs & Performances Coming to NYC
By workmenscircle
Thursday, February 3:
CTMD’s Tantshoyz Yiddish Dance program returns, now at the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant. Learn the traditional Jewish dances of Eastern Europe. This month’s event will feature master dance leader Steve Weintraub and live klezmer music by Deborah Strauss (violin) and Pete Rushefsky (tsimbl/hammered dulcimer).
Beginners are welcome!
Admission $10, $8 for CTMD and Workmen’s Circle members.
(7:00PM -- 9:30PM)
Presented by Workmen’s Circle and CTMD’s An-sky Institute for Jewish Culture.
Tuesday, February 8:
A special Yiddish Dance party at Congregation Ansche Chesed featuring master dance leader Steve Weintraub with live klezmer by Alicia Svigals’s Klezmer Fiddle Express!
Beginners are welcome!
Suggested contribution $5 per adult, $3 per child.
(6:00PM -- 9:00PM)
Presented by Workmen’s Circle, CTMD’s An-sky Institute for Jewish Culture and Congregation Ansche Chesed.
Steve Weintraub’s Krakow Dance Class [VIDEO]
Alicia Svigals’ Klezmer Fiddle Express [VIDEO]
Deborah Strauss Krakow 2010 [VIDEO]
Pete Rushefsky Traditional Ensemble [VIDEO]
How to Save Money, Go Green & Help Jewish Learning
By workmenscircle
The Workmen’s Circle’s I.L. Peretz shule in New Jersey has teamed up with Viridian Energy for an exciting fundraising opportunity. Viridian Energy provides greener electricity at an affordable price, allowing their customers to make a difference in the environment and their personal lives simply by switching electric energy providers. Most of us use the default electric supplier chosen by our utility company. But you have the opportunity to choose which company provides your electricity. And with Viridian, you can save money each month on your electric bill. When you switch to Viridian, you will continue to be a customer of your current utility company (i.e. PSE&G, JCP&L or ACE). Your utility bill will look the same. You will only be switching the electric supplier that your utility company buys their electric from. There is no change in the quality or quantity of electricity delivered to your home.
A win-win-win opportunity
1. Our shule wins: Viridian will donate $2 per customer per month to the I. L. Peretz community for as long as you are a Viridian customer!
2. You win: It can cost you less per kilowatt hour, it’s free to switch and there is no contract.
3. The environment wins: Veridian generates greener electricity.
This is available now for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Connecticut residents. It is coming soon for New York, Massachusetts and Illinois residents.
For more information on how it works see: http://ilperetz.org/community/viridian.htm
For more information on Veridian see: www.viridian.com/ilperetz
Interested in Green Issues?
Check out these related posts:
View the Jewish Artists For Haiti Concert [LIVE VIDEO]
By workmenscircle
This is the live stream for the Jewish Artists for Haiti, Relief and Rebuilding.
Streaming is scheduled to begin at 6pm. The concert event starts at 7pm.
Workmen’s Circle will be tweeting from the live. We will use the hashtag #JA4Haiti. Please follow us there.
We will update this post with information on how you can make a donation by sending a text!
Note from Ann Toback, Executive Director
By workmenscircle
Workmen’s Circle Across America: Northern California WC/AR secures a Yiddish Culture Course at San Francisco State University
An exciting aspect of my work as Executive Director is the opportunity to support the work of our activists around the country. I am happy to be able to share with you wonderful news from our Northern California WC/AR community, where the vision and support of our local leadership has brought Yiddish Studies to San Francisco State University. SFSU’s Department of Jewish Studies will be offering a new Yiddish culture course this Spring. The course on Yiddish History, Literature and Culture, was designed by the SFSU Jewish Studies faculty, is open to SFSU students as part of their regular studies program, as well as open to community residents over 50 through the SFSU Center for Extended Learning Elder College program. This course is particularly accessible to residents of San Francisco and the Peninsula. We congratulate WC/AR activist Diana Scott and members of Northern California WC/AR, whose vision and encouragement is bringing Yiddish Studies to San Francisco!
Read the SF Examiner interview with Diana Scott.
Meet Our Staff
By workmenscircle
So what do you do, Adrienne Cooper?
Title: Executive Officer for External Affairs
With WC/AR since: 1990
Hometown: New York City
Lives: Upper West Side
I get to plan the exciting programming that brings the Workmen’s Circle mission to the Jewish community and beyond. As an active Jewish artist myself, I reach out to the amazing community of responsive and generous Jewish musicians in New York to contribute to our events. Some of these cutting edge artists will perform at our January 10th benefit concert for rebuilding and recovery in Haiti, where the need remains critical a year after the devastating earthquake.
Later this Spring, on March 26th, I’m looking forward to bringing together social-justice activists and musical forces, including our own Boston WC/AR’s Besere Velt Community Chorus, in a marathon commemoration of The Centenary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire – the tragedy that galvanized the modern labor movement.
And of course, I am always exhilarated to be a part of the team that plans our annual seder. This year’s We Are Activists Seder takes place on April 10th and is moving to an exciting new venue at The Museum of the Jewish Heritage. There will be lots of surprises in store in how we bring activism into our cultural seder rituals, and, of course, in the great seder food and music that we are planning.
What keeps you busy outside of Workmen’s Circle/AR?
I’ve been writing about Yiddish culture. The Autumn 2010 edition of the journal Bridges: A Jewish Feminist Journal (Indiana University Press), which publishes Jewish feminists and activists engaged in movements for social and economic justice, featured my article on new Yiddish creativity. The article, entitled Making Music with Anna Margolin. Creating Shake My Heart Like a Copper Bell: A Poet, a Composer, and Interpreter – Three Lives in Yiddish Art, takes the reader through the collaborative artistic process of research, musical composition, translation, and defying boundaries to interpret Yiddish poetry for contemporary audiences.
And I was thrilled that the Jewish Week named my newest CD, Enchanted: A New Generation of Yiddishsong (Golden Horn), as one of its Top 10 Jewish recordings of 2010.
On the activism side, on December 8th, at a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Jewish for Racial and Economic Justice, “Crescendo for Justice”, I was honored to be one of three people receiving the Marshall T. Meyer Risk Taker Award; previous awardees include writer/activist Grace Paley, Domestic Workers United, playwright Tony Kushner, and the Transit Workers Union. This year’s honorees were musicians whose work is enlisted in the struggle for social change. It was so gratifying that the award recognized my role as a mentor to a generation of Yiddish artists and Jewish activists, and as a leader in Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring’s new vision for Jewish education for progressive activism. I was in great company alongside honoree Si Kahn, Founding Chair of Jewish Funds for Justice, Demos Distinguished Senior Fellow, organizer and musician, and Stephan Said, singer, writer, human rights activist, and founder of difrent, the global platform for music and culture for social change.
Look for more So What Do You Do? profiles in upcoming editions of the Workmen’s Circle/AR e-news.
The Hidden History of American Yiddish Shuln [IMAGES]
By workmenscircle
On Sunday, December 12th, the Northern California Branch (#1054) of WC/AR co-sponsored a talk on “The Hidden History of American Yiddish Shuln” at San Francisco’s Jewish Community Library.
The talk commemorating 100 years of secular Yiddish schools in America — the first shule opened for weekend instruction December 10, 1910 on New York’s Lower East Side — was delivered by Marti Krow-Lucal, co-creator of the Secular Yiddish Schools of North America Special Collection at Stanford University Libraries and branch member.
About sixty people, many of them alumni of Yiddish shuln, attended, partaking as well in the annimated pre-talk reception and heartfelt Q & A that followed.
Photos by Allison Green at theBureau of Jewish Education’s Jewish Community Library in San Francisco.
Jewish Community Takes Action for LGBTQ Youth [VIDEO]
By workmenscircle
It Gets Better is a project started by gay columnist Dan Savage in reaction to the rash of bullying-induced gay teen suicides. Savage and his husband started the initiative by posting a Youtube video that explains to teens how “it gets better.” Since then, the project has gone viral with millions of hits on Youtube and thousands of people uploading their own “It Gets Better” videos. Among them are celebrities and politicians such as, President Obama, Janet Jackson, Hillary Clinton, Kim Kardashian and more. (View the more complete list here.)
Members of the Jewish community have taken measures to ensure that ours is a community safe for LGBTQ youth
- Keshet’s initiative, Do Not Stand Idly By, aims to create “a fully inclusive Jewish community” and “end homophobic bullying or harassment of any kind in our synagogues, schools, organizations and communities.”
- CBST has started a unique video project that is “aimed at providing not just the stories of individuals, but the power and support of the entire community, as a Jewish community, to those in crisis.”
- At The Workmen’s Circle we have helped to build awareness through targeted communication efforts.
Jewish leaders around the country have uploaded their own It Gets Better videos. We choose a few and embedded them below.
Please help make our community safe and bully-free. A great way to start is by signing Keshet’s Do Not Stand Idly By initiative.
You Are in the Circle
