I discovered the Boston Workers Circle 28 years ago through A Besere Velt, the Yiddish chorus. I grew up speaking Yiddish, and I was overjoyed to find a place where I could share that language—and its rich musical tradition—with my then 10-year-old daughter, Rachel. What began as a musical journey has since deepened into something much broader and more profound.

Over the years, I became increasingly involved in the BWC community—serving on committees, several terms on the board, and currently on the finance committee. I also chair the steering committee of the chorus. Some of my most meaningful moments have occurred when singing with A Besere Velt at various venues in Boston, New York, and throughout New England, as well as helping shape programs that commemorate events like the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. These projects are not only artistically fulfilling—they’re emotionally and historically resonant.

My own background is rooted in traditional Judaism—Conservative, bordering on Orthodox. I still find deep personal comfort in the rituals and liturgy of synagogue life, connecting me to the memory and legacy of my ancestors from the Pale of Settlement. What makes Boston Workers Circle unique, and so precious to me, is that it makes space for all of that. 

Though it is a secular and progressive Jewish community—and I embrace its values and politics—it also welcomes and respects those of us who hold tradition close. That balance is rare and deeply meaningful.

Like many, I have lost faith in mainstream Jewish institutions that often prioritize prayer or espouse unwavering political positions, especially when it comes to Israel and Palestine. At BWC, I found something different: a community firmly grounded in Jewish values, lived through culture, activism, learning, and shared humanity.

I’m continually inspired by BWC’s reverence for Yiddish language and culture, its solidarity with immigrants and marginalized people, and its vision of a more just and compassionate world. Here, Jewishness is not an obligation—it’s a choice, a commitment, a joyful act of solidarity. It is lived with intention, authenticity, and heart.

I’m proud to be part of this vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking community. If you’re searching for a Jewish connection rooted in heritage but open to the future, I warmly invite you to join us at the Boston Workers Circle. You just might find—as I did—not only a chorus, but a home.

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