Organizations and Movements (cont.)
Hashomer Hatzair
In 1919, a political scouting organization in Poland formed the Hashomer Hatzair,
a youth Zionist-Socialist movement based on scouting principles with the ultimate goal of settling in Eretz Israel. The Ken (Nest) brought together a wide spectrum of young people, high school students and the sons and daughters of artisans. Pupils from vocational schools and young apprentices from shops and stores had high aspirations and espoused strict
rules of clean living. They organized summer and winter camps. Their meetings, events, and symposia were highly imaginative. Their ultimate goal was to nurture high ideals. The sports club Shomria,
consisted of very active members and organized interesting events. When the movement decided on obligatory Aliah,
they joined the Hecheleitz Hechsheva.
Quite a number of Hashomer Hatzair members from Piotrkow are now living to Kibbutzim and Moshavim, as well as in cities all over Eretz Israel.
The Revisionist Movement in Piotrkow
In 1930, the Zahar and Betar movements
were organized in Piotrkow. Their organization, inaugurated in 1931, was active until 1942. They set up a choir, a dramatic circle and met every Friday evening.
High schools and Ort pupils formed the group Massada, which maintained educational, athletic, political and Zionist activities.
In 1933, the so-called pro-Grosman group emerged. Its goal was the establishment of a Jewish state on both sides of the river Jordan. Another youth group was Brith Kanaim.
All these groups were politically active. They opposed Hitler's Third Reich and, in 1935, formed the New Zionist Alliance under the leadership of the Municipal committee. They acted on behalf of the illegal Aliah and promoted military preparation for the eventual armed struggle to establish a Jewish state in Eretz Israel.
Brit Hahayal, founded
in 1933, was the youngest group. Its goal was to become the nucleus of the future Hebrew Army. Another group was the revisionist-religious Brit Yeshurun.
Every candidate for Aliah was required to study and pass two years of Hachshara, learning aviation, navigation, fish husbandry and agriculture. Several group members clandestinely fought against the Germans.
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Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
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