Approx. 100 photographs documenting the training of pioneers and Zionist activity in the USA, including photographs of members of "HeChalutz" movement. [USA, 1930s and 1940s].
The pioneering immigration movement from North America was sparse in general and knew ups and downs. Eliezer Lipa Yaffe (one of the founders of Nahalal) established the "HeChalutz" movement in the USA as early as 1905; however, despite stirring up the idea of pioneering and bringing about a stream of individuals and groups of immigrants, "HeChalutz" and other organizations did not succeed in propelling real activity and some of them dwindled or ceased to exist. Only subsequent to the 1929 Palestine Riots and the 1929 Great Depression, did the idea of immigrating to Palestine, which was anchored in the socialist-Zionist world-view and offered a response to the collapse of the capitalistic enterprise, become a viable option for many young people.
In the early 1930s, pioneers, members of "HaShomer HaTza'ir" began immigrating to Palestine, training groups were established in Minnesota and Baltimore and the "Committee for the Pioneer" was founded. In early 1934, the founding conference of the "HeChalutz" movement in the USA was held and in following years, training farms were established in Hightstown and Cream Ridge (both in New Jersey).
These photographs document a chapter in the history of the pioneering training in the USA and the immigration it led to. Many of them depict pioneers who immigrated to Palestine and were among the groups that established various Kibbutzim. The photographs also depict the agricultural activity on the training farms, times of rest and work, a truck loaded with agricultural products with the inscription "HeChalutz Farm Cream Ridge", and more. The collection also contains several group photographs on the deck of a ship, from the departure of several members of the "HeChalutz" training who immigrated to Palestine in 1939.
Approx. 100 photographs, size and condition vary. Good overall condition. Many of the photographs are captioned on a sticker or by hand on their verso. Catalog numbers on verso of the photographs.
Literature: "From the World of abundance to Pioneering, HeChalutz in North America 1933-1953" (Hebrew), by Yehuda Rimmer. Published by Yad Tabenkin, 2019.