From Popular Front to Cold War: The Interracial Left 1930-1954

Discover the hidden history of the International Workers Order (IWO), a revolutionary organization founded in 1930 by Yiddish-speaking garment workers. What began as a practical effort to provide life and burial insurance quickly evolved into a massive, multi-ethnic movement for social justice. At its height, the IWO boasted 200,000 members—bringing together Jews, Blacks, Italians, Hispanics, and others to combat racism and antisemitism while championing labor unions and civil rights. In this session, co-editors Elissa Sampson and Robert M. Zecker explore the rise of this progressive powerhouse and its eventual disbandment during the Red Scare of the 1950s.

• Anyone interested in the intersection of Jewish activism, labor unions, and the early Civil Rights movement.
• History buffs curious about the "Old Left" and the impact of the Cold War on American social programs.
• Those looking to understand how diverse ethnic groups successfully organized across racial lines during the Great Depression.

• Historical Insight: A deep dive into the IWO’s unique model of "interracial solidarity" that was decades ahead of its time.
• Cultural Context: An understanding of the vibrant world of IWO summer camps, foreign-language newspapers, and working-class advocacy.
• The Legacy of the Cold War: A clear picture of how the "subversive" designations of the 1950s reshaped American political life and disbanded vital community networks.