Over 200 Attendees Embrace their Mameloshn at the Workers Circle’s 2024 Trip to Yiddishland
— The seven-day retreat featured five levels of Yiddish classes; dance, Klezmer, theater and music workshops; concerts and children’s programs —
(Dutchess County, N.Y.) – The Workers Circle, a 123-year-old Jewish nonprofit based in New York City and the leading global provider of Yiddish language education, just completed its 2024 Trip to Yiddishland. The retreat, which happens annually on Sylvan Lake in nearby Dutchess County, New York, offered seven days and six nights of Yiddish language classes and arts workshops. Over 200 attendees – from children to seniors – participated in the program, which took place August 19-25.
The 2024 Trip to Yiddishland offered an intellectually stimulating experience for all Yiddishists, featuring five levels of Yiddish classes. Attendees also enjoyed Yiddish-based workshops in dance, music (Klezmer), and programs including concerts, yoga, bingo, cabarets, tennis, and more. Led by the Workers Circle’s Director of Yiddish Programming, Kolya Borodulin, along with over a dozen teaching artists hailing from all over the world, participants engaged with diverse concepts within the Yiddish space.
Topics included the history of Yiddish songs about women with Cindy Paley, the exploration of racism and antiracism through Yiddish literature and text with Anthony Russell, and the importance of the Land of Israel to the history of the Jewish people and their culture with Eugene Orenstein.
35 Yiddish scholars joined the group on this year’s Trip to Yiddishland, which was made possible through scholarships from the Workers Circle’s generous donors and supporters.
“We are thrilled by the incredible participant energy at this year's Trip to Yiddishland. The retreat continues to be a powerful celebration of our rich Yiddish heritage and a vibrant space for learning, creativity, and community,” said Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle. “Seeing over 200 participants of all ages come together to engage with the Yiddish language and culture is inspiring. We are very thankful to our generous donors for underwriting the involvement of dozens of college student Yiddish and social justice activists. It reaffirms our commitment to preserving and revitalizing this essential part of Jewish identity while fostering a deeper understanding of social justice through Yiddish tradition. We look forward to continuing and expanding the impact of our intergenerational programs in the years to come."
The Workers Circle’s annual Trip to Yiddishland has taken place since 2005 and is an extension of the organization’s commitment to power progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multigenerational education, and social justice activism. The trip comes on the heels of a successful Summer Semester of Yiddish classes, which offered nearly 50 online courses – more than any other Yiddish program.
The Workers Circle (or Der Arbeter Ring, as it is known in Yiddish) was founded over a century ago by Yiddish-speaking immigrants to New York and has been at the forefront of the contemporary Yiddish renaissance, teaching the language for over 35 years and presiding over its surge in popularity.
About the Workers Circle
The Workers Circle is a national, secular, Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who came to the United States fleeing autocracy and persecution, and seeking democratic freedoms and economic opportunities at the turn of the 20th century. That history drives our work for an inclusive democracy and human equality today. Our activism is rooted in 1,000 years of Yiddish culture and tradition. Through strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, and interactive educational programs, we power a multi-generational community of activists that is building “a better and more beautiful world for all.” Learn more at www.circle.org.