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The Jewish youth movement throughout Poland, whose path and development no one foresaw, came to Korets, too. The same motivations that set the existence of this movement in motion, the same sources from which the movement as a whole took sustenance, operated in the Jewish settlement in our city, too.

It was an expression of the revolt of the children and their struggle to change the shape of their lives. Revolt against the old, against what existed, whose motto was: “Don't listen, my son, to the father's principles and don't give ear to the mother's doctrine,” of the poet, David Shimonowitz. This was only part of the great motivation that, together with many other factors, stirred up the souls of Jewish youth and brought them to the movement.

Nevertheless, what was characteristic of this movement expressed itself principally in that, more than it rejected the past, it needed something new - the future.

World War I, with all of its ugliness, changed foundations and world views in the areas of principles, the family, and society. Jewish youth, having had bitter experience from the first steps of the 20th century, sought a way and an expression for itself and justification for its existence. In the depths of history, the saturation of blood and tears of our unfortunate people, never did the last spark die out - the belief that a day would come and this ancient and full-of-agony people would rejuvenate.

Freedom movements of downtrodden peoples in the world added to the breakthrough of the Jewish wall and, with the creation of the first cracks, powerful forces were let loose that destroyed every fence and boundary in their path. To the forest, to nature, to the field (and not just on Lag Ba-Omer), straighten one's back, strengthen one's muscles, toughen one's nature, and join the builders of the homeland - these slogans conquered the heart of the youth and built the movement.

The movement was carried, thus, on the wings of the revolt and was a faithful expression of the spirit of the times and of the desires of the souls of Jewish youth, and of that of Korets with it.

The organizers, founders, and bearers of this movement in our city were two members whose essence, character, and mentality typified the movement. They were Zev Czudner and Yitzhak Mezhyrichski.

Zev Czudner (brother of the poet, Czudner), a young Jew, with a warm

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Jewish soul, good observer and excellent guide, a wise and smart man, with a strong character, suited to the task of youth guide in a broad sense - had much organizational ability.

Yitzhak Mezhyrichski, a man with a European education, with broad principles, a gentle soul, a man who did not find improvement in the October Revolution - through many searches and much indecision came to the movement and became its head.

These two established the first youth movement in our city - “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir.” They also put their stamp on its direction, its character, and its development.

This typical Volhynian city did its duty towards good Zionist youth, lovers of their people, and full of longing for the yearned-for homeland. The youth of Korets were educated principally in accordance with the tradition. The large “Yeshiva” that stood out on “Shulgasse” [=Synagogue Alley] dominated not just the many synagogues in the city, but also shone on the souls of the youth and put its stamp on them. The surroundings, the Cheder, and the traditional education at home created a sort of spiritual whole.

This spiritual world was undermined by the difficult and ugly reality at the beginning of the third decade of the 20th century. The lack of any chance in the area of economic life, on the one hand, and the new spiritual pressure that was carried on the wings of the time, on the other, shook the foundations on which the structure was based. The youth of Korets burst forth from the ruins of this spiritual world, straightened their backs, and stood by the flag that was raised by the leaders of the “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” movement in the city.

In a short time, hundreds of youth congregated in the heart of the movement. The Kortchek River that divided the city into two sections and flowed peacefully on its never-ending way - was amazed more than once to hear Hebrew singing splitting the heavens. The footsteps of the groups and regiments, members of “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir,” heralded the changing times. Its calm waves welcomed the marching youth, it seemed, and forgave them for the quiet that was disturbed.
The heart rejoiced to see them marching with head held high, each under his flag. The place that the regiments and groups gathered was very symbolic. The two high mountains, through whose ravines the quiet river curved, hugged the surroundings with its strong arms and seemingly protected this young creation taking its first steps. The many paths that led the hundreds of youth, in a steep downhill to the mouth of the river, to a gathering of the like-minded, put this group on track.

The echo of the mountains to the greeting of the like-minded created wholeness of the animate and the inanimate, and the souls of the youth were lifted upward.

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The “Reuven” Group of “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir”Standing from right to left: 1) Chaim Fiszer, 2) Simon Finklesteinm 3) Gena Stambulchik, 4) Michael Schenker, 5) Freydes (Simcha's brother), 6) Standing from right to left: 1) , 2) Moshe Smolier, 3) Yehoshua Basyuk, 4) Nachum Waserszturm, 5) Yitzhak Breindes, 6) Simcha Baraz, 7) Noach Garber, 8) Yitzhak Baraz, 9) Yitzhak Linik Sitting from right to left: 1) Shlomo Shikher, 2) Eliezer Basyuk, 3) Yitzhak Torknitsch, 4) Shlomo Ozerinsky, 5) , 6) Moshe Feldman, 7) Eli Garber, 8) Mordechai Torknitsch, 9) Chaim Poliwa, 10) Yosef Wachbroit Lying below: Sitting in the middle: Head of the Regiment, Zev Czudner (in the brimmed hat)

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The Center turned into a real school for physical education, character strengthening, and fortifying the spirit of the youth. There, the first efforts were made for the youth to acquire the Hebrew language; there, they broadened the scope of knowledge of the young. From the walls of the Center, the first Hebrew song burst into the open. Literary sentences, subjects of a cultural and social nature, filled its substance. Its flag, the flag of revolt, was raised by the Zionist action that changed in the Center to a daily commandment. The new spirit that beat in the hearts of the marching youth to greet a new world and a different tomorrow was invigorated in it.

It is interesting that this revolt did not touch the holy of holies of the youth of Korets - the family. The strong attack of the defiant son did not touch the deep roots of the family. The love and respect for parents was, it seems, in keeping with the change in the lives of the youth in this place. The new spirit that carried the miracle of rebellion, established and built the movement, arose, it seems, with the agreement of the parents.

I will not forget the meeting in the great synagogue in 1925 of the parents of the Center, in which the leaders of the Center, the members Czudner and Mezhyrichski, raised an obligatory continuing education program for the members of the Center and it was demanded of the parents to participate in the costs. There were dozens of parents at this meeting from whom the spirit of the movement was very far, standing in complete opposition to their social position, their world view, and their life's desires - and still they agreed and joined themselves to this campaign. This was one of the interesting paradoxes: the rebellion of the son with the secret agreement of the parents. The movement was carried on the storm of the times and did not destroy bridges in its path.

The two leaders were not made of one material. They were different in their characters, their approaches to matters were different, and it's likely that they were also divided in their opinions and their world views. Differences of opinion about the direction of the movement, forms of the organization, and the leadership also caused a temporary rift in the Center. I won't err if I say that this rift was, to a not small degree, also the result of the jealousy of the authors. In a short time, the rift was wiped out and the movement returned to its proper path, united and unified.

The organizational form of the Center matured and it was divided into three basic levels: Kfirim, Tzofim, and Bogrim.

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“The Trumpeldor Brigade” Standing from right to left: 1) Yosef Kligerman , 2) Mordechai Torknitsch, 3) Yitzhak Wilner, 4) Fishman, 5) Yosef Wachbroit, 6) Yaakov Serber, 7) Yeshaya Serota. 8) Moshe Smolier, 9) Yitzhak Baraz, 10) Yehiel Goldberg,11) Eliezer Basyuk, 12) Shimon Broder, 13) Nachum Waserszturm Second row from right to left: 1) Pinchas Raznoshik, 2) Zvi Galon, 3) Shmuel Gilman,4) Leibl Vaynshelboim, 5) Moshe Litvak, 6) Moshe Feldman, 7) Yehoshua Basyuk, 8) Simcha Baraz, 9) Chana Gilman Third row from right to left: 1) Chaya Spielberg, 2) Shprintze Awret, 3) Batya Gilman, 4) Czarna Vigman, 5) Dvora Garbasz, 6) Chedva Melamed, 7) Goldberg Last row from right to left: 1) Manya Rozenszturm, 2) Chana Grinfeld, 3) Bunya Vashkovker, 4) Pessie Katz, 5) Kupershmid, 6) Brigade Head Zev Czudner, 7) Esther Awret, 8) Chana Rayzberg (Basyuk), 9) Leah Neiterman, 10) Zeltke Berman, 11) Chaya Weintuch

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and the singing and the conversation made up the substance of their lives. The “good deed,” which obligated the Kfir every day to a hard test of life, taught him to be a useful person in society and to do good deeds. The games and the singing introduced new substance to the lives of the children, content that they did not find either at home or at school. It is no surprise that this level was one of the largest and the dream of every 10-year-old child was to get into the ranks of the movement.

The regiments of the Tzofim served, too, at the head of the bridge bringing together youth who studied in the “Tarbut” school and those who studied in the Polish school. The Center became the link bridging the two. This regiment also carried out a kind of pioneering leap and organized a summer colony. This was truly a revolutionary act. Twenty-and-some young people went into the forest in the village of Vodnik, spent ten days there, and lived under semi-military rule.

Various questions disturbed the leaders of the level the night before the campaign. What would the parents say? How would the surroundings respond? What would the villagers say? Would they not try to attack the camp on one of the nights?

That was 32 years ago. Did that experiment not leave its mark in changing reality? These were the Tzofim reigments - among the best of the youth of Korets.

Through aspiration for change in the manner of their lives and social atmosphere, they overcame the obstacle of immigration and fulfillment.

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The First Immigrants

“We are going up to the land”… the sounds of this song shattered the quiet and ideal air that prevailed on the Rovno [=Rivne] road. Along the sides of the road, group after group marched with its flag. They went out to accompany, and to say goodbye to, their immigrating friends: Yitzhak Mezhyrichski and Abba Berman.

The regiments arrange themselves. The flag of the Center flies about the heads of the immigrants. The words of parting were short, but difficult. The heart cries. For what and why? Is it only for your parting with a true friend, guide, and director? Or perhaps there already was an unconscious, vague, and unseen feeling? A feeling that broke through the darkness of the future and saw the open abyss? It may be that, already then, the heart prophesied the tragic future and created the feeling that they are seeing their friends for the last time. It is difficult to specify the reasons. The heart lamented and cried. The flag was raised and the sounds of “Techezakna” [=the Labor Zionist movement anthem] ended the parting. Yes, we parted, among them hundreds who did not have the privilege any more of seeing each other. The immigration road was the meeting place of hundreds of members, friends, and relatives, whom the flag united and fate separated for eternity …

With the beginning of immigration, the activist team left the Center and immigrated to Israel. Among them were Vabel Broder, Moshe Feldman, and others. A new administration was built in which the members participated: Zelig Mosman, Moshe Smolier, Yosef Wachbroit, Eliezer Basyuk, Yitzhak Wilner, Yosef Kligerman, and Yisrael Raznoshik.

The 7th conference that met in Warsaw, in which Mosman, Kligerman, and this author participated as representatives, argued bitterly over the direction and future of the movement. The report that was brought by the delegation heralded the beginning of the turning point. The pioneering movement whose wings were spread to the heavens - began to aim for the depths. The pioneer education for a life of honesty, justice, and good deeds came up against a harsh and bitter reality of daily life and the abundance of social and economic problems burdened the souls of the maturing youth.

Korets, this little city, suffered badly by being a border city. Dozens of villages that were the source of its livelihood were torn away and that left its mark on the economic and community life of the city. The youth especially suffered and their problems worsened day by day. Learn a profession? - Where? Work? Employment? - In what? Continuing education - with what resources?

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The Administration of the “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Center in 1929 Standing from right to left: 1) Yitzhak Wilner, 2) Dvora Garbasz, 3) Eliezer Basyuk, 4) Yosef Kligerman Sitting from right to left: 1) Moshe Smolier, 2) Chaya Spielberg, 3) Yosef Wachbroit

They began to leave the city, some to continuing education, some to training and immigration to Israel, and some to emigration elsewhere. The heads of the Center changed. Czudner, who was the head of the Center after Mezhyrichski immigrated to Israel, left for continuing education and Zelig Mosman was chosen in his place.

The author of this article, who took Mosman's place as the head of the Center, left the city in 1928 and Yosef Wachbroit was chosen as Center head. The ideological consolidation of the Center influenced its shape and changed its substance. Larger groups went out for training. The generation of the Bogrim immigrated to Israel or left the city. The young generation took over the leadership. Munya Góralnik, Mordechai Kagan, Sarah Szapiro, Yehezkel Weintuch, and others whose names I do not remember, sadly, left the Center. New young people entered the ranks and the chain continued until … the Holocaust and the bitter end.

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The Center and the Keren Kayemet^[2]

The “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Center in Korets earned recognition not only by being the first and only youth movement in this city for many years, not just in serving as a school for hundreds of youth, where they studied and were educated towards their mission and their Zionist and socialist tasks, the Center also was a communal power of great influence over the communal and Zionist life in the city. Its part was great, in particular, in the work for the Keren Kayemet and it is not missing from the Keren Kayemet gold book [=list of donors]. Dr. Wallach (the treasurer of the Keren Kayemet), a venerable Zionist and dear Jew, accompanied from close up this widespread work. The blue box [=collection box for donations] was carried on the wings of this movement to every Jewish house. The United Jewish Appeal, the mail from the Keren Kayemet for the holidays, were the initiative and work of the Center. The work towards redemption of the land was an important part of the substance of its life.

If we could raise a monument over the grave of the holy ones in Korets that would be appropriate and would express the best of the ambitions and dreams of the local youth, and within it hundreds of young people, members of the “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Center - it would, without a doubt, be the blue box of the Keren Kayemet, a symbol of liberation, redemption, and the substance of its life.

It was natural and obvious that the “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Center in Korets would make its mark on the development of communal and cultural life in the place. The “Tarbut” school, of which most of the members of the Center were students, was influenced by this movement. The members of the Center were, by nature, an organic part of the Hebrew culture movement in our city. They brought the Hebrew language out of the walls of the school and inserted it into the family home. They were among the first who spoke the Hebrew language in public. The Tsofim and the Bogrim of the Center gathered around the “Tarbut” library. The library on Synagogue Street was, seemingly, an organic part of this branch of the movement. The late member Blovstein, the veteran librarian, the devoted and true one, knew how to tell many interesting and characteristic things on this subject to the students of the Center.

The “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Center struck deep roots in the community, not only in the area of culture. Its emissaries reached every corner of life in the Jewish community in the city. The leaders of the Center invested great effort in every Jewish undertaking that worked on behalf of the masses of the people. They participated in the “CENTOS” [=Jewish charity] and the “TAZ” [=daily newspaper], which were concerned with the health of the people, took care of orphans and children

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The “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Club in Korets

This was what the “Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir” Center was like during its existence. How was it at its end? Was it together with the people and did the people march their final steps with it? Did it rebel and rise up against the monster of the generation and not accept the decree of its elimination? This topic kept me busy for many years. It is possible that the lack of the distance in time required for accurate historical evaluation might influence incorrect views and thus my caution in giving an answer to the aforementioned question.

I will bring, therefore, facts and they will bear witness by themselves. Many of the students of the Center wrote a warning page in their own blood in the heroic struggle against the Nazi invader. Their hands were with the fighting partisan regiments that attacked German supplies for the front. Some of them joined the famous march of the partisan regiments under the leadership of Kovpak and, according to collected witness reports from collaborators, one can find along this entire route silent graves of Jewish heroes from among the youth of Korets, who fell with their weapons in their hands, in the hard and ugly struggle with the Germans. Only a few from among them were able to see the defeat of the enemy. Some of the fighting youth

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gathered around them isolated families looking for shelter in the forests and protected them. The long road in the forest killed most of them and only a few managed to go from slavery to freedom.

Some of the youth managed to join the ranks of the Red Army and marched with them from Stalingrad to Berlin. But the overwhelming majority of them, too, did not manage to participate in the day of victory.

But, the lion's share of the Center marched its last steps together with the entire Jewish community in the direction of the village of Kozak … in this grave is buried a generation that believed in mankind, that supported brotherhood, that aspired to a world of equality and justice. On the edge of this grave, all its dreams and aspirations vanished.

So was the Center in its final journey …

Translator's footnotes:

1. A Zionist youth movement Return
2. Jewish National Fund Return

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