Workmen's Circle in Southern California:

Since our first branch was established in 1908, the Workmen's Circle has a proud history in Southern California. A history of celebrating the traditions of Eastern European Jewry, a history of social activism — our forebears founded the City of Hope Medical Center! — and a history of creating a community for our members. So we were in 1908, and so we are today.


The mural outside of the Workmen's Circle Los Angeles Building

With a unique slate of programs, classes, and events such as our A Shenere Velt Gallery, our Yiddish cultural programs and library, our Social Action Committee and much more, the Workmen's Circle is a vibrant, dynamic part of the Southern California community.

Click to read a short history of the Workmen's Circle in Southern California, or if you're brave, the long history.

And make sure to see, and read about, the mural outside our building. This work of art beautifully articulates our mission.


Workmen's Circle around the country:

The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring, founded in 1900, fosters Jewish identity and participation in Jewish life through Jewish, especially Yiddish, culture and education, friendship, mutual aid and the pursuit of social and economic justice.

It has historically been the goal of the Workmen's Circle — and continues to this day — to provide vitally important benefits and services so that the Jewish community can continue to achieve a better life.

At the same time, its also very much our goal to preserve the unique beauty of Jewish and Yiddish culture so that our rich legacy does not disappear. As a result, the Workmen's Circle is the chief — the preeminent — advocate of Yiddish cultural activity.

And the Workmen's Circle is also a progressive-liberal organization committed to advancing democratic frontiers, eliminating poverty, strengthening civil rights, promoting universal health care and opposing bigotry, tyranny and totalitarianism.

We are a membership organization which is democratically structured. We encourage each member to become as personally involved as he or she wishes to be through a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

Programming is extensive, opening the way for many discussions about important Jewish issues. Emerging from our structure is also the opportunity for members to form lifelong friendships with those with whom they have many interests in common.


District Committee:

Ruth Judkowitz — Chairmentsh, Eli Dugan, Eric Gordon, Hershl Hartman, Susan Gosman, Tera Greene, Marvin Zuckerman


Honorary Board:

Hon. Henry A. Waxman, Ruth Seymour, Hon. Sheila Kuehl, Hon. Paul Koretz, S. David Freeman, Tom Hayden, Hon. Michael S. Dukakis, Gordon Davidson, Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman


District Staff:

Kalil Cohen, Director director@circlesocal.org