“The Workmen's Circle is my Jewish community because it allows me to express all the different aspects of my Jewish identity in one place. It’s where I act for change while being part of a larger, inter-generational community.”

Mutual aid is part of the long history of our organization, born out of immigrants’ need to support each other in their new lives in America. Decades of caring and fighting for each other have prepared us well and inspired us to create this new way of organizing ourselves to help each other.
The Boston Workers Circle Mutual Aid Network Listserv is an open resource available to members of our community. Scroll down to learn more!
How do I join?
Click here to join, enter your email, and we’ll approve you from there!
1. You have to join the listserv in order to post.
2. Write up your offer or request according to the guidelines below by composing an email (just compose an email like you normally do!)
3. Send the email to bwc-mutual-aid@googlegroups.com.
Please note, when you send your offer or request email to bwc-mutual-aid@googlegroups.com, it will go to every member of the Mutual Aid Network Listserv.
-If you are offering, in the subject line of your email, write “offering ____.”
-If you are requesting, in the subject line of your email, write “seeking ______.”
In the body of your email, explain what you are offering or requesting, including details that will help others on the listserv know if what you are offering or requesting fits what they need or can offer.
Below are some examples. Feel free to be more friendly & wordy in your email than we are in the examples.
To respond to a request or offer, reply directly to the sender and exchange any additional information.
After your request has been completed or the offer has run out, please “Reply All” to your original offer/request email saying: “COMPLETED.”
Examples of appropriate posts:
Subject: Seeking a ride
Body: “Seeking a ride to a doctor’s appointment from Jamaica Plain, to
Brookline, Monday, October 18, 12:00 pm”
Subject: Seeking grocery run
Body:“Seeking someone to do a large grocery shopping run. I live in
Dorchester and can email a list and pay by check on drop-off.”
Subject: Seeking advice on services available for elderly parent
Body: “Seeking advice to help me help my parents who are moving to
MA.”
Subject: Seeking Google Docs tutorial
Body: “Seeking consultation over Zoom to learn how to edit and share
Google Docs.”
Subject: Offering newborn clothing
Body: “Offering a bag of gently used newborn clothing. Porch pick up in
Jamaica Plain.”
Subject: Offering to grocery shop
Body: “Offering to grocery shop, planning to go Friday, Oct. 9, can drop off
in Brookline.”
NOT appropriate to post on the Mutual Aid Network Listserv:
-Invitations to a protest or to take action for a cause, because we have
committees and a newsletter for that (send submissions to
-Schmoozing! Please continue using the schmooze lists (AIC, ABV, Book
Group) and Facebook groups (Young Adults and Shule Parents) for sending
funny jokes, videos, opinions, political actions, etc. Contact
maddy@circleboston.org for more info.
We’re not setting a limit, but ask that you please be considerate and respectful of people's inboxes (once or twice a week is probably a good amount). We’ll have a few moderators of the list so that as we’re building the culture & norms of the listserv, kind & clear moderators will let you know if you’re using this tool in an unintended or inappropriate way.
A listserv is a method of communicating with a group of people over email. It allows members to send emails to the entire mailing list. When you send an offer or request email to bwc-mutual-aid@googlegroups.com it will go to all the members who have joined the Mutual Aid Network list.
Do I have to be a BWC member to join?
Questions or concerns?
Please contact moderator@circleboston.org.
6 Webster St. Brookline, MA 02446 • 617-566-6281 • info@circleboston.org
An affiliate of The Workmen's Circle / Arbeter Ring