Planned Giving story:
lorraine Buch

Lorraine (Libby) Buch, z”l, was a longtime member of the Workers Circle, who passed away in May 2019. Libby left the Workers Circle a generous legacy gift that will continue her commitment to lifelong learning and celebrate her love of Yiddish and Jewish culture.

The child of Eastern European immigrants, Libby graduated LaGuardia High School and then attended Mannes School of Music and Queens College. She was a lifelong musician, playing both string instruments and the piano.  

Her first career was as a high school music teacher, where she was beloved by her students. One student, now a musician living in Florida, credits Libby for changing her life. Her parents had discouraged her from pursuing her passion for music, or even from attending college. When Libby became her teacher, she helped persuade her parents to allow her to go to college and become a musician, and in doing so fulfilled her student’s dream vocation.

After she retired from teaching, Libby went on to start her own talent agencies, Landslide Management and the Songwriters Seminar. Many of her former music students became her clients, and with her help many were able to make their livings as musicians on Broadway and elsewhere. As much as she loved both her careers, Libby also had many interests outside of work, including a love of Yiddish and travel.

Libby’s gift has made a lasting impact at the Workers Circle. You too can make a lasting impact at the Workers Circle through a variety of estate plan gifts.

Planned gifts allow you to create a legacy and inspire future generations to connect with your values and passions. We can help you review our gift planning options, including charitable gift annuities that generate income during your lifetime, and find an estate plan gift that is right for you. Depending on the amount you plan to leave the Workers Circle, we can also create a naming opportunity for you, like we have done here for Lorraine Buch, to bring joy and inspiration for generations to come.

The annual Workers Circle Lorraine Buch Yiddish Concert will be held on February 4, 2024 as part of our Winter in Yiddishland program.

May Libby’s memory forever be a blessing and may we — her community — remember her vibrant life and thank her for continuing to inspire us all to build a more beautiful world through Yiddish and music today.