Activist Spotlight: Francesca Rubinson

Hello and shalom aleykhem! My name is Francesca Rubinson, and I am the new Senior Social Justice Organizer at the Workers Circle. I am thrilled to join this organization deeply rooted in Jewish culture and committed to building a better and more beautiful world for all. My great-grandmother, a daughter of Austro-Hungarian Jewish immigrants who was born in a tenement on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, was a garment worker who benefited greatly from the Workers Circle’s advocacy. It feels like an amazing full circle moment (no pun intended) to continue organizing for a thriving democracy, economic justice, racial justice, worker rights and immigrant rights, in her memory. 

I come to the Workers Circle from Harvard Divinity School, where I received my Master of Divinity degree with a focus in Jewish studies. In particular, I studied how gender, sexuality, and embodiment show up in sacred texts. In divinity school, I received training as a hospital and university chaplain, and poured my heart into building justice-oriented Jewish community on campus. I am eager to continue expanding the College Network and to connect with Workers Circle members at the upcoming Trip to Yiddishland. 

Prior to divinity school, I served as a member of the Avodah Jewish Service Corps. I worked as a legal assistant at the immigrant rights non-profit CASA, supporting DACA recipients and asylum seekers. As an undergraduate student at Tufts University, I studied political science and religion while participating in multiple sketch and stand up comedy groups. I think that humor, creativity, and making space for joy are essential parts of any movement for liberation!

I am looking forward to meeting some of you at our Hot Democracy Summer events this week – Phonebanking on Wednesday, “Build Power: Start a Democracy Circle” on Thursday, and First Fridays!