Oscar-nominated actor, writer, and director, and friend of the Workers Circle, Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain, The Social Network) needs no introduction — but his personal journey might. For over 20 years, he’s captivated audiences on screen and stage while advocating for justice off-camera. With his critically acclaimed film A Real Pain, he dives deep into his Polish Jewish roots for a darkly funny exploration of identity, trauma, and belonging.
Join Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback for a special conversation with Jesse about: His groundbreaking work as a filmmaker and storyteller, the beliefs that drive his art and activism, and your questions (live Q&A!).
-
Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Stream a Real Pain for free with subscription at Hulu.com or rent it from your favorite movie rental website.
-
Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2025, the Workers Circle is a national, 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. That history drives the organization’s work for an inclusive democracy and social equality today. The Workers Circle’s activism is rooted in 1,000 years of Yiddish culture and tradition. Through strategic and impactful social justice initiatives, vibrant Yiddish language classes and programs, and interactive educational activities, the Workers Circle powers a multigenerational community of activists that is building “a better and more beautiful world for all.”
-
Jesse Eisenberg is a two-time Academy Award nominated actor and filmmaker, acclaimed playwright, and author. He is known for his performances in films such as the Now You See Me and Zombieland franchises, The Social Network, and on television in Fleishman Is in Trouble. As a writer, he has published fiction in The New Yorker and authored several plays, including The Spoils and The Revisionist, which starred Vanessa Redgrave. His directorial debut, A24’s When You Finish Saving the World, premiered at Sundance and Cannes, and his most recent film, the Oscar-winning A Real Pain, was released last fall by Searchlight. He is currently in production on his new film for A24, starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti.
-
Ann Toback is the CEO of the Workers Circle, where she has redefined what a 125-year-old progressive Jewish organization can achieve in the modern era. As the first female CEO in the organization's history, Ann has spent more than 15 years building a fusion of Eastern European Jewish heritage with contemporary social justice activism that now reaches millions. Drawing on the Workers Circle's rich Eastern European tradition of resistance and resilience, she has transformed this heritage into a powerful force for democracy and social justice.
Prior to joining the Workers Circle, Ann served as Assistant Executive Director at the Writers Guild of America, East (1999-2008), where she led the historic 2007-2008 Writers Guild strike on the East Coast. This experience as a union leader, combined with her background as an attorney (Boston University School of Law, J.D.), has informed her approach to merging advocacy, education, and cultural preservation into a strategy for collective impact.