Hundreds Gather for 44th Annual Free Yiddish Concert in Cain Park

Published: Aug 26, 2026 - 5:31 p.m.

By Brooke Sullivan

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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The vibrant sounds of Klezmer, lively conversation and the unmistakable spirit of community filled the Evans Amphitheater at Cain Park on Sunday afternoon as the Workmen's Circle Educational Center of Ohio hosted its 44th Annual Free Yiddish Concert in the Park.

Drawing a crowd of more than 400 enthusiastic attendees, the milestone event welcomed music lovers from across Greater Cleveland, throughout Ohio, including Columbus, and from as far away as New York City.

The day delivered an unforgettable cultural celebration marked by joyous dancing, spirited sing-alongs and an atmosphere of pure Yiddishkeit. Unlike the sweltering 100-degree heat wave that challenged last year's gathering, this year's weather was idyllic from start to finish, with comfortable breezes greeting the crowd and rain holding off until well after the final notes were played and guests had departed.

The afternoon featured a diverse, multi-act program that kept the amphitheater energized from the opening notes to the final encore.

George Foley, the acclaimed local pianist, opened the event, treating early arrivals and seated guests to a nostalgic repertoire of ragtime, jazz classics and old-time American favorites as they settled into the venue.

Mikimi, based in University Heights, brought high-energy local flavor to the stage, blending traditional Eastern European Jewish melodies with contemporary rhythms and modern Hebrew elements.

Schmaltz, the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based ensemble serving as the day's headliner, had the audience on its feet. Fusing traditional folk melodies with jazz, Balkan beats, Latin percussion and polka, the group sparked spontaneous dancing and singing across the amphitheater.

"We were all Kvelling," said Amy Roth, Workmen's Circle board member and concert committee co-chair. "The music was good, the people were good, Cain Park was wonderful, the audience loved us, and I could've listened to this music all night." The concert was a collaborative grassroots triumph driven entirely by volunteer dedication. Board members and community helpers staffed every corner of the event, assisting attendees, greeting guests and ensuring smooth operations.

Adding to the afternoon's excitement, every attendee received a ticket upon arrival, automatically entering them into free prize drawings held throughout the evening. Supported entirely by one of the event's sponsors, guests had the chance to win cash and prizes with no purchase necessary.

Attendees also took part in a lively 50/50 raffle, further boosting the festive atmosphere. Board member and treasurer Bonnie Swirsky provided extensive logistical leadership, even arranging dedicated motorcycle parking at Cain Park to accommodate the Shul Boys, a regional Jewish motorcycle riding club whose members were eager to ride in to support the event. Guests enjoyed refreshments provided on the terrace, with food from local favorites Rascal House Pizza of University Heights and Rita's of South Euclid, alongside fresh vegetables and refreshments supplied directly by the Workmen's Circle Board of Directors. A standout highlight among attendees was the official commemorative T-shirt. Designed with a custom vector illustration of the iconic Cleveland skyline, the shirt featured the city's name written in Yiddish using the Hebrew alphabet, flanked below by "Cleveland" in English italics.

The shirts proved so popular that dozens of attendees changed into them immediately on-site, turning the amphitheater into a sea of matching commemorative apparel. "I was so thrilled with how the night went," shared Matt Greminger, board member and public relations director for the Workmen's Circle. "There were no issues, everyone was so happy, the music was great, the food was fantastic, and it was so refreshing to see the community really coming together to enjoy an evening of fun.

Friends and family, many recognizable friends from prior years, were such a delight to see and catch up with. Such fun to see Yiddishkeit on full display for everyone to be a part of." The Cleveland Jewish News served as the official media sponsor for the event, highlighting the concert's regional prominence and cultural reach.

The triumph of the 44th annual concert also highlighted the organization's independence and resilience. Leadership also gave high praise to the local municipality for its revamped coordination. "I wrote a letter to Cleveland Heights praising the staff and city for being such great partners in this year's event," said Neal Grossman, chairman of the Workmen's Circle Educational Center of Ohio. "We are even more excited to see this continue to grow in the years to come." The organization is already planning for an even larger, more expansive return in 2027 to continue providing free access to Klezmer music and heritage.

The annual concert is just one of many programs orchestrated by the Workmen's Circle Educational Center of Ohio. For more than 120 years, the nonprofit organization has championed secular Jewish identity, Yiddish culture, education, mutual aid and progressive social action.

Run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors whose members dedicate their time solely for the love of community and cultural preservation, the organization remains steadfastly guided by its enduring Yiddish motto, "A Shenere un Besere Velt," working together to build a more beautiful and better world. To learn more about upcoming cultural events, educational programs or to support the mission of the Workmen's Circle Educational Center of Ohio, visit www.WorkmensCircle.org.

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