Summer is Better in Yiddish: Workers Circle Announces 2025 Courses
— Registration for language, klezmer, and song courses is open —
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2025
Contact: Britney Trachtenberg, britney@anatgerstein.com, (929) 623-0241
(New York, N.Y.) — The Workers Circle, a 125-year-old Jewish nonprofit based in New York City and the leading global provider of Yiddish language education, has begun registration for its summer semester. The program caters to learners at every stage of their Yiddish language journey, from beginners to advanced speakers. All classes are conducted online, allowing students and teachers from around the world to participate. Instructors come from across the globe, including Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Israel, Canada, Switzerland, and France.
The summer semester comes on the heels of a successful spring semester, which boasted more than 300 students from 21 countries and 31 states participating across 59 classes. Given the importance of music to the language, the Workers Circle continues to provide instruction in klezmer and Yiddish song, including a new course, Yiddish Songs of Heartbreak — Dos tsebrokhene harts with Josh Waletzky.
“We’re thrilled to open registration for our summer Yiddish program, offering more than 50 courses designed to meet people where they are in their language journeys,” said Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle. “Through our online platform, we’re connecting students from six continents, creating a truly global classroom for our mameloshn to thrive. Whether you’re taking your first steps with Yiddish or diving deeper into advanced literature or klezmer, you’re joining a vibrant community spanning generations and geography.”
The summer semester has something for everyone — with over 50 classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels, including options for immediate beginners, intermediate and advanced learners, and even special courses focused on Yiddish songs and klezmer. With all classes taught virtually via Zoom, the semester remains accessible to students residing across the United States and internationally. These offerings not only deepen learners’ connection to the Yiddish language and culture, but also foster a vibrant, global community brought together through shared heritage and learning. Each class is recorded and sent to students for review or to catch up.
Summer semester fees for Workers Circle members are $150 per class including song courses, and $310 for intensive courses. Summer semester fees for non-members are $180 per class including song courses, and $360 for intensive courses.
For more details on course descriptions, dates, and costs, visit: https://www.circle.org/yiddishclasses-summer2025
The Workers Circle (or Der Arbeter Ring, as it is known in Yiddish) was founded over a century ago by Yiddish-speaking immigrants to New York and has been at the forefront of the contemporary Yiddish renaissance, teaching the language for over 35 years and presiding over its surge in popularity.
About the Workers Circle
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. Through strategic and impactful social justice initiatives, vibrant Yiddish language classes and programs, and interactive educational activities, the Workers Circle powers a growing multigenerational community of 150,000+ activists creating meaningful social change, building transformative coalitions, and demanding a mutiracial multicultural democracy for all.
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