Boston Workers Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice

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Boston Workers Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice Home of secular Jews connecting to their cultural heritage and progressive values, inspiring community, learning, and activism.

Welcome to the Boston Workers Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice! We are:

- A community and spiritual home for secular Jewish life
- A voice for progressive Jewish values and social change
- An arts and education center celebrating Yiddish, Jewish, and progressive culture

We are proud to be a community where whatever your Jewish background, whatever the faith, ethnic, or gender diversity of your family, children and adults feel welcome and participate fully at all levels of the organization. We’re kind of like a congregation, but we’re different.

- Jewish identity is proudly rooted in cultural heritage and a commitment to justice
- Members help to create and run all programs
- Continuity is built on the foundation of our history as a 110-year old mutual aid organization founded by Jewish immigrants

We’re a multigenerational arts and education center.

- Educational opportunities are available for every generation: a cultural Sunday School for children grades K through 7, a social action teen group, classes for adults of all ages, plus a unique young adult community
- The treasured cultural legacy of Yiddish language and culture finds contemporary expression and meaning in varied programming
- Participatory and creative arts engage as well as entertain

We speak out for justice.

- Social action committees foster dialogue and debate, mutual understanding, and action
- The pursuit of a more just and humane world is woven into all holiday observances and celebrations, educational and arts programming, and children’s activities
- We seek to be a community that is inclusive and accessible to all, from ASL interpreted High Holiday services and chorus concerts to fully accessible Sunday School classes in rented space.

Join members of the Stitch & Resist crew and the Mutual Aid Committee this Saturday, October 17 from 1:30 - 3:00pm at th...
10/14/2026

Join members of the Stitch & Resist crew and the Mutual Aid Committee this Saturday, October 17 from 1:30 - 3:00pm at the BWC building to craft custom cards using stamps, collage, drawing, painting, and more. The Mutual Aid Committee will send the cards throughout the year to members who are grieving, healing, celebrating, or just need to know that someone is thinking of them. No drawing skills required. No registration necessary. Learn more here: https://circleboston.org/event/card-making-for-mutual-aid/

Please join us as we spend an evening with Kahal B’reira this Saturday, October 17 from 6:00 – 8:30pm. We will have a cr...
10/13/2026

Please join us as we spend an evening with Kahal B’reira this Saturday, October 17 from 6:00 – 8:30pm. We will have a creative, secular Havdalah ritual, followed by a potluck dinner. We will finish the evening by creating “Bring Out the Vote” posters in preparation for the Midterm elections. Bring your creativity, ideas, and passion! More info, including registration here: https://circleboston.org/event/havdalah-with-kahal-braira/

Rad Yiddish is excited to bring together community members from these three historically-Yiddish Left legacy organizatio...
10/12/2026

Rad Yiddish is excited to bring together community members from these three historically-Yiddish Left legacy organizations to share about their organization’s radical roots and ongoing cultural activism on Zoom this Thursday, October 15 from 7:30 - 9:00pm.

Founded between 80-125+ years ago, Boston Workers Circle, Peretz Centre (Vancouver), and United Jewish People’s Order (Toronto & Winnipeg) are still thriving today while retaining their explicitly Leftist politics including Palestine solidarity and other social justice commitments. Sarah Biskowtiz will moderate a panel discussion with three fascinating speakers, each with decades-long involvement in their respective organization: Faith Jones (Peretz), Shayle Kilroy (UJPO), and Linda Gritz (BWC).

Learn more and register here: https://circleboston.org/event/liberate-renew-yiddish-left-legacy-orgs-thriving-today/

Calling all Yiddish music lovers! Have you ever watched A Besere Velt Yiddish Chorus perform and thought, “That looks li...
10/11/2026

Calling all Yiddish music lovers! Have you ever watched A Besere Velt Yiddish Chorus perform and thought, “That looks like fun—I’d love to try it”? Now is your chance! ABV is holding open rehearsals (no auditions!) several times this month and next. No need to wonder what it’s like—come experience the joy for yourself. All are welcome, regardless of singing ability or knowledge of Yiddish.

Open rehearsals will take place on Sundays from 3:00 - 5:30pm at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline the following dates: October 18, 25, & November 8, 15, 22. Email [email protected] for details. There’s nothing quite like raising your voice with a large group of people. Come sing with us and be part of something truly uplifting!

There's still time to read for BWC's Circle Book Group! The next meeting will be on Sunday, October 18th from 10:15am - ...
10/10/2026

There's still time to read for BWC's Circle Book Group! The next meeting will be on Sunday, October 18th from 10:15am - 12:00pm on Zoom. October's book is "Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World" by Richard Cockett. To attend via Zoom, to be added to the Book Group listserv, and / or if you have questions, email [email protected].

10/09/2026

Sign up for a Yiddish class at BWC! They start next week! bit.ly/BWCYiddishLang

KLEZMER JAM THIS TUESDAY! Do you want to learn the foundations of klezmer music? Do you love to play klezmer music and w...
10/08/2026

KLEZMER JAM THIS TUESDAY! Do you want to learn the foundations of klezmer music? Do you love to play klezmer music and want to help grow the local community of klezmorim? Join the Boston Workers Circle’s monthly drop-in klezmer jam! We will develop and play a shared repertoire. Let's make music together whether you're playing the melody, the secund (accompaniment), or contributing to the rhythm section. We'll practice playing the music by ear, a traditional form of learning klezmer. Reading music is not required.

This is a workshop and jam and is ideal for musicians who are proficient with their instruments and want to learn or develop their klezmer repertoire, technique, and style. We will be meeting once a month and all types of instrumentalists are welcome. The BWC monthly workshop and jam is designed to be an inclusive and welcoming community especially for new participants as we work to create an environment where everyone is supported and empowered to participate.

Schedule:
We will be meeting the second Tuesday of the month: Oct. 13th, Nov. 10th, Dec. 8th and Jan. 12th.
6:30-7:15 (45 min) Workshop
7:15-7:30 (15 min) is a break and schmooze
7:30-8:30 (1 hour) Jam

You can drop in and pay at the door or register ahead. More info and registration at bit.ly/BWCTasteOfYiddish

Join the BWC community for an After-the-Vote Shabes on Friday, November 6th from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the BWC Building in Br...
10/07/2026

Join the BWC community for an After-the-Vote Shabes on Friday, November 6th from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the BWC Building in Brookline that will include a brief ritual and potluck dinner. We will deal with the results, whatever they are, together.

Register at bit.ly/bwcshabes

10/07/2026

Learn more at circleboston.org! We have five Yiddish courses at varying levels, including Abby’s Intermediate class, starting next week!

Please join us for The Doctrine of Discovery: An Interfaith Conversation on Zoom on Wednesday, November 11 from 7:00 - 8...
10/06/2026

Please join us for The Doctrine of Discovery: An Interfaith Conversation on Zoom on Wednesday, November 11 from 7:00 - 8:30pm. Sarah Augustine, author of "The Land is Not Empty," and Rabbi Toba Spitzer will lead this important conversation about the Doctrine of Discovery and Native American history and politics in our current moment. While the history was about churches, the legacy and its ongoing impact affects us all. The discussion will include how these issues are of concern for the Jewish community, in our commitment to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.

Learn more and register here: bit.ly/ricnov1126

Co-sponsored by RIC (Reparations Interfaith Coalition of MA), The Coalition to Dismantle The Doctrine of Discovery, CDT Congregation Dorshei Tzedek and Boston Workers Circle.

Address

6 Webster Street
Brookline, MA
02446

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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