The Call Archive

Learn more about the Jewish American experience of World War II and other turning points in history by exploring www.thecall.org.

This Call article from May 1945 reflects on the state of humanity after the second world war and the message is just as strong over 80 years later: “Must we always DIE for a better world? Not at all! We can LIVE for this eternal dream of humanity – and in living well – we can bring it about.”

There is hope where there is courage and vision. There will be peace when the world will learn the true meaning of freedom. There can be achievement by the growth of a unity of purpose among the peoples of the world. For this — our sons, brothers, and fellow men died in concentration camps and on the battlefield. Must we always DIE for a better world? Not at all! We can LIVE for this eternal dream of humanity — and in living well — we can bring it about.

Hope, Plus Courage and Vision, Equals Peace https://www.archive.thecall.org/?a=d&d=WCC194505-01.2.6

During times of uncertainty and global conflict, when it is easier to isolate and turn inward, we must instead stand together in solidarity in the fight for a better world.
#yiddishculture #jewishhistory

Find an action near you: www.mobilize.us/map/?org_ids...

We are calling on activists, organizers, and community members everywhere to take visible, peaceful, public action – whether you're in a city facing a proposed ICE warehouse facility or a community where no facility has been proposed. There is a role for everyone

This will be a coordinated, nationwide mobilization against the Trump administration's reckless expansion of ICE warehouse detention and its assault on the due process rights of immigrants and all Americans.

On Saturday, April 25, communities across the country will come together for the Communities Not Cages National Day of Action @fsfp.bsky.social @moveon.org @publiccitizen.bsky.social @detentionwatchnetwork.org @indivisible.org
#CommunitiesNotCages #HumanRights #ImmigrantRights

During the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Klepfisz was in charge of the production of explosives. He died on the second day of the uprising covering a German machine gun with his body, saving his companions.

Michał Klepfisz was a chemical engineer, activist of Bund, member of the Jewish Combat Organization, and a hero of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
#WarsawGhettoUprising #JewishHistory #WarsawGhetto

In the early hours of April 19, 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began. It was one of the earliest and largest episodes of Jewish armed resistance to the Holocaust. By April 22, fire was destroying several sections of the ghetto. The Germans began capturing and killing more and more of the ghetto inhabitants.

By May 15th, the ghetto fighters had been defeated and the Nazis blew up the Tlomacki Synagogue. Several thousand Jews were buried in debris and more than 56,000 had been captured. About 30,000 of the captured Jews were immediately shot or transported to death camps. We remember the fighters who knew victory was impossible and fought against the Nazis regardless. We honor the memory of all the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto.

Today we honor the memory of the Jews and resistance fighters of the Warsaw Ghetto who staged an uprising against the Nazis amidst impossible odds. We remember that the fight for freedom, dignity, and collective liberation endures.
#WarsawGhettoUprising #JewishHistory #WarsawGhetto

Happy Tax Day, New York. We’re taxing the rich.

As the Trump administration expands mass detention facilities across the country, we are organizing a nationwide mobilization against their cruel agenda.

Join us for the Communities Not Cages National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention on April 25. @moveon.org @indivisible.org @publiccitizen.bsky.social @detentionwatchnetwork.org @fsfp.bsky.social

More info here: www.circle.org/events/host-...
#CommunitiesNotCages #ImmigrantRights

🚨The House voted to extend TPS for Haitians, protecting more than 330,000 people from family separation.
Thank you to the bipartisan coalition who made this possible.
Now the Senate must act.
Tell Congress to finish the job👇
act.domesticworkers.org/a/tell-congr...
#ProtectTPS #FamiliesBelongTogether

This trip features five levels of Yiddish classes, dance and klezmer, theater and music workshops, concerts, and a children’s program along with full access to all facilities, including pool, lake, boating, tennis, and more.

The Workers Circle’s Trip to Yiddishland is our seven-day, six-night retreat. All are welcome, from brand-new Yiddishists to fluent speakers. Register here: www.circle.org/yiddishland
#Yiddish #YiddishCulture #JewishCommunity

Free and open to the public, rain or shine, this annual gathering continues a tradition begun in 1947 by Jewish partisans and Holocaust survivors, now bringing together Bundists and the broader secular Yiddish cultural community across generations.

The Workers Circle is proud to sponsor the memorial marking the 83rd Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising at Der Shteyn, the memorial stone in Riverside Park (83rd/84th Streets).
#WarsawGhetto #YiddishCulture #JewishHistory

Allowing Pam Bondi to evade the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena threatens to send the message that powerful former officials and Trump allies are above the law. www.theusconstitution.org/news/cac-rel...

Tell Congress: Protect Haitian TPS Holders | National Domestic Workers Alliance

Ending Haitian TPS would tear families apart, including 50,000 U.S. citizen kids. We can’t let that happen.
📢 Tell Congress: Protect Haitian TPS Holders
act.domesticworkers.org/a/tell-congr...
#FamiliesBelongTogether #ProtectTPS

Daughter of detained Cuban man speaks out after congresswoman's surprise visit to "Alligator Alcatraz" The visit is drawing renewed attention to allegations about the conditions inside the detention center, often referred to by critics as "Alligator Alcatraz".

Read the full article here: www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/f...

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz (FL) made a surprise visit to Alligator Alcatraz on April 9. Her request to speak to several detainees was denied. CBS News heard from Community Catalyst for the Workers Circle, Arianne Betancourt concerning the visit.
#AlligatorAlcatraz #HumanRights #ImmigrantRights

The Call is the Workers Circle’s historic newsletter which covered the political debate, activism, and Yiddish culture from 1929 to 1976. And today, it is all digitized online. All you need to do is go to thecall.org
#yiddishculture #jewishhistory #thecall #workerscircle

Today between 12:00-12:30, Congresswoman Wasserman Shultz is speaking from the floor against ICE operations and detention with stories from family members whose loved ones are detained at Alligator Alcatraz that we gathered for her. Watch here: www.youtube.com/USHouseClerk...
#AlligatorAlcatraz

Workers Circle organizer Rachel Siegel will teach you how to text bank quickly and easily to reach voters ahead of this impactful election. No experience required, attend the Zoom call for as long you are able, and become a part of our text banking team!

Join the Workers Circle and the Center for the Common Ground to text Black voters across Virginia with crucial voting information needed to cast their ballots in the special election on redistricting.
Sign-up here: www.circle.org/events/textb...
#TextBanking #WorkersCircle #Vote

Yom HaShoah is a day for internal reflection, providing an opportunity to honor the victims of the Holocaust and recognize the achievements of its survivors and refugees who have contributed so much to society.
#JewishHistory #YomHaShoah

The Call Archive

Read more poems, essays, and articles by exploring www.thecall.org.

Poems by Abraham Liessin Spring and Freedom From the farthest kingdoms going, Through the wafts of ocean flowing, Wafts the breeze of vernal tide, Reaching cities, crowd infested, Cramped, in walls of stone congested Where the sons of men abide. On his gleaming pinions wings he, And a ray of sunshine brings he To the heart of every wight; And the sons of men in gladness Thrilled to joy akin to madness Hearken to the song of life. From nation to nation the tremulous spring Vibrates in a world that is gay; From northland to southland it quickens to sing Of the message of hope in its ray. It opens the black, stubborn soil to the flower The wood to its budlet and leaf; It conjures the roses to perfume the bower, The heart to abandon its grief. The world in an ecstasy glowing reposes In radiant arms, elate, And everywhere hope like the opening roses Awakens — invincibly great.

From the farthest kingdoms going, Through the wastes of ocean flowing In the blessed vernal day, Wends the Freedom spirit near us, Fragrant, beautiful, to cheer us Like the merry month of May. Like the spring, gay carols sows he, And the fairest flowers blows he For the hearts he haps to meet. And the world so dark and clouded, Massed in cities overcrowded, Thrills again to joy complete. Wherever there echoes a national tread The oneness of mankind is real ; In Occident, orient, humans are led By the call of a steadfast ideal. And world-wide it lures the magic of spring In harmonious thrilling to all, With love and with peace in its rhythmical swing And the prophet of dreams in its call. For the spirits of men respond to the test, They fuse in the fires of fate; One hope there awakens in East and in West One hope — invincibly great. Translated by Elias Lieberman

This beautiful poem by Abraham Liessin (translated by Elias Lieberman) is a poignant reminder that spring is the season of renewal and hope: “And everywhere hope like the opening roses awakens – invincibly great.”
#yiddishculture #jewishhistory #poems

Here at the Workers Circle we keep things moving across every department from our Yiddish Programming to Youth Outreach to Social Justice Activations and more. Check out everything we do at circle.org.
#WorkersCircle #SocialJustice #Yiddish #YiddishCulture