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Zionism in Europe
The Yugen Freiheit in Łosice

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As if it were now, I remember the evening in 1928 when I was walking in the square, and Dawid Rozal approached me and greeted me by saying that, in shtetl, there was going to be established a department of the youth organization "Freiheit" by Poeli‑Zionists. The idea pleased me because I had earlier spoken with a close personal friend about the importance of such an organization.

 In Łosice, there existed only one Zionist location‑ the Culture Club, for all Zionists, with a large library, under the leader of Godl Rozenband. At this location, a year earlier in 1927, Hashomer Hatzair was established, which was widely supported by the Zionist youth in Łosice. We, however, agreed that it was a Zionist‑Socialist organization of the working youth who were drawn by the spirit of Borochovizm.



Part of "Frieheit" Committee
1929

The 14th of May 1928, we remained at the Culture Club to prepare for a meeting on the 25th of May which establish the organization. We sent out 70 invitations to the youth, with 64 coming to the meeting. The meeting was led by Dawid Rozal who called for a vote about the program, principles and orders of the Socialistic Workers' movement, built upon the principles of Ber Borochov. He spoke about the parties' work, Poeli‑ and Tseiri‑  Zion and about our activity in Łosice. All 64 onlookers signed declarations about getting involved in the youth organization.

 The first vote included Dawid Rozal, Gdalyahu Woda, Frajda Wolker and Yospe Wajman. The vote obeyed all the rules of the constitution. Chairman ‑ Dawid Rozal, Press and Culture ‑ Gdalyahu Woda, Secretery ‑ Berl Binsztok.

 Immediately we made ourselves available to the Central Committee in Warsaw, which gave us instructions on how to conduct our movement.

From right, seated: Frajdka Wolker and Dawid Rozal.
Standing: Berl Binsztok and Gdaliahu Woda.

They often visited us with members: Leb Szpicman, and Bialopolski, and friends from Raion ‑ Committee in Siedlce where Iekutiel Zilberberg and Icchak Miendzerzecki helped us with our work. We organized lectures about Borochovism, talks about politics, economics, arranged trips. The one who helped us with lectures was Godl Rozenband.

 Our activity steadily broadened and our membership continued to grow. Because of this fact, space soon became limited at our current cultural location. Quarrels occurred with our friends in "Hashomer Hatzair", who claimed that because of us their work was disrupted. However they did not want to cooperate in order to implement a plan, when we, or when they should take the second room at our location. In the end scandals occurred Between the two groups.

Leaders of "Freiheit"
1932

From right to left, first row:
 Mosze Lewin, Goldband Chaja, Binsztok Herszel.
Second row: Czemni Jakob, Rozen Itka,
Woda Gdalyahu, Cukierman Hinda, Wisnia Pinie.
Third row: Rozal Dawid, Englender Chawa, Elzon Icchak.

Once, on a Sabbath, when the members of "Hashomer Hatzair" were away on an outing, we had a discussion, in the second room, with Dawid Grinfarb from Siedlce. In the middle of the discussion the members returned from their outing. They pushed their way into the room and interrupted the discussion,

The second time was when we had organized a true dedication to Ber Borochov's Yahrzeit. On this occasion "Hashomer Hatzair" and the Zionists opposed us; who were afraid of the red drapes with which we had covered the windows.... We were disrupted during the evening.

 We had come to the conclusion that we could no longer continue our work at the present location. We then collected enough money from our friends, and we were able to afford to move to our new location at Szczerbickin on the Szwajnerower Street. This happened in 1928. At our new location our activities broadened.

We formed a drama group, which gave performances such as: the "Yeshiva Boy", "The Stranger", "The Ukrainian Sacrifice", "The Polish Wedding", and others.

Among our amateur actors there was: Herszel Binsztok, Szymon Mandelboim, Szyfra Borowski, Szprinca Herc, Gdalya Woda, Belcia Rozencwajg-Kawer, Berl Binsztok. This was in 1934. Also registered with the drama group, were our friends from Wegrow ‑ Blachman and Feingold, who often came to Łosice.

photo: "Freiheit" organization in Łosice, 1934

In Aug. 1929 a membership conference was held in Miedzyrzec about the Youth Freiheit. Among the delegates were Leb Szpicman and Ritow. In the middle of the discussions a question was posed about the Arab Uprising. Our entire youth, as well as other members of the Łosicer organization were mobilized to help the Jewish fighters protect the Jewish settlement.



photo, left: "Freiheit" organization in Łosice, 1930
photo, above: "Freiheit" organization in Łosice, 1934

Our Łosice friends with their ideals readied themselves to defend Eretz Israel. The first to go was Chaja Goldband, then Zelda Izak, and Dawid Rozal. Later, our member Matityahu Maier Mandelboim went to Kibbutz Ramat‑Hakovesh and died at his post defending our homeland against the Arab attackers.
 Łosice 3
From "Łosice; in Memory of a Jewish Community, Exterminated by Nazi Murderers," M. Shner, Tel Aviv, 1963. Article: '"Yugen Freiheit' in Łosice," by Berl Binsztok (Jaffa), pp. 99-104. Translations by Viktor Lewin.

 

 

 

 

 


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