A Short History of The Workmen's Circle

My source for interesting information used to be the Encinitas Y, but since we moved to Ocean Hills and I don't get to the Y very often, I have had to find a new source.  I now rely on my daily visits to the dog park for information on politics, religion, culture and gossip.  I also get information from just about everyone I talk to here.  The oldest residents of Ocean Hills are a wealth  of information.  Ron and I were at our weekly Ocean Hills bridge game one Tuesday night, and the 93 year old woman to my right was telling me about the early years in LA.  She mentioned a group called The Workmen's Circle, gave me the history of the organization and told us her parents were members of the group.  Now I will tell you a little about this remarkable group.

When the Yiddish-speaking immigrant Jews came to America, many found themselves in overcrowded tenements and hazardous sweatshops.  With poverty came disease.  Thus, a group of Jews founded the Workmen's Circle in New York City in 1900 as a refuge from oppression.  They established schools and camps for children and adults, published books, operated a famous medical department for their members' care, sanitariums for the infirm, ran credit unions for their members, and bought tracts of land for cemeteries.  The Karl Liebknecht Branch was the first in Los Angeles, founded in 1908.  The organization has enjoyed a continuous presence in Los Angeles ever since.  They recently celebrated their 105th anniversary year. 

Early in it's history the Workmen's Circle members established the City of Hope, originally for the care of tuberculosis patients, now a world-famous center whose philosophy still calls for free medical treatment.  Over the years, the Workmen's Circle has expanded into the support of the Jewish Home for the Aging and many other charitable causes.  The Workmen's Circle was one of the earliest voices to speak against Nazism in the 1930's, and against Stalinism.  They have advocated consistently for civil rights legislation, health care reform, and full and equal rights for all people.  In the 1940's and 1950's Workmen's Circle was active in Chicano electoral campaigns and in the farm workers struggles.

Their goal has always been to preserve the unique beauty of Jewish culture and advocate for Yiddish cultural activity in particular.  To this day they have an active organization in LA.  It's amazing that after 105 years the organization is still relevant and an important voice in Los Angeles.  Just thought you should know.