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[Page 117]
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Members of the Zionist Youth
Standing from right to left: Friedberg, |
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Zionist youth |
In Podhajce, several Zionist youth organizations existed as I mentioned above: Achva, Zionist Youth, and Young Achva. Similarly, there was an Achva hachshara kibbutz whose members worked in the local flourmill and the sawmill (tartak in the vernacular) that was next to the river outside the city. The kibbutz received support and encouragement from the local Zionist organizations. The Jewish community in our city excelled, to our good fortune, in the love of the nation, and extended full support and encouragement to the Hebrew youth.
As far as I remember, the following people stood at the head of the local committee of the Zionist organization: Dr. Rotenberg of blessed memory (a lawyer) and the engineer Dr. Lilla of blessed memory, whose houses were always open to anyone who turned to them. It was a real experience for us to work with them. I feel a special duty to mention Dr. Dik, who spread his support with a generous hand and an open heart to the general Zionist movement in particular. Dr. Dik was a noble personality, with a warm Jewish heart, who conducted himself modestly with his fellowman.
Achva was composed of people of the age 18 and over from the popular circles. Young Achva consisted of youths from the ages of 13-18. Young Achva arose with the purpose of renewing and injecting of young blood into the popular Achva movement, to prepare the generation of those who would continue on, and to instill scouting education, love of the homeland and a desire for personal realization into the youth. The chapter of Young Achva in our city was one of the largest chapters in the region. It was able to conduct a summer camp and conventions, and issue publications. Thanks to the activities of the heads of the movement, it succeeded in imprinting its stamp upon the entire movement.
[Page 118]
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Members of the Young Zion
Standing, Lubchia Katz, Freda Heller, Fanchia Gross |
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Members of Young Achva (1936) |
Moshe Erda of blessed memory served as the head of the Achva chapter of Podhajce. He also served as the secretary of the community in our city, and the chief intermediary between the Jewish national organizations and the government. Aryeh Kurtz of blessed memory also served as head of Achva. He was a teacher in the Hebrew school and conducted wide branched cultural and spiritual work. Similarly, it is fitting to mention the members Buchwald and Polisziuk. The members of the Zionist youth were primarily students of the high school. Shlomo Walden, Elka Gotstein and the writer of these lines were the heads of that organization.
Achva published booklets entitled Glus Achvaj (in Polish) and Young Achva, which were published by Weinless' publishing house. The following participated in these publications: Leon Shourz who was also one of the heads of Young Achva, Moshe Erda, Dr. Dik, Schatten and others. This publication was dedicated to issues of the day and to educational problems of the movement. It was compiled in the Polish language.
With recognition to the special merit of the local chapter of Young Achva, the writer of these lines was invited in 1936 to the Achva center in Lvov in order to lead the national youth organization.
In conclusion, I have not fulfilled my obligation if I do not point out the good relations and joint activity that pervaded among the various local youth organizations. With regard to the overriding national interests, preference was given to the general interests over the interests of each individual faction.
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