Education, Occupation, Socialization

Abstract

Youth Aliya saw itself not so much as an organization as an educational movement: ‘We are not an office but an educational movement’ — this is what was said at a meeting of the Youth Aliya management committee in June 1948. The movement’s educational character was formed within the framework of the kibbutz, which also looked upon itself as an educator. The kibbutz laid its emphasis on mutual co-operation between the child/youth and national society. Kibbutz education had its sights set on the future and its test was the integration of its pupils in national objectives, while seeing the settlement issue as a pioneer force. On this matter, what the integrating kibbutzim said is quite clear, even if they said it in large doses of pompous language:

We wish to insert into your veins the enthusiasm for building the future of our nation, based on healthy foundations and a blood-spattered homeland … we demand of you that you be among the builders and designers, to join the ranks of courageous and free builders … we bequeath to you what no one can deny us: the sacred belief in our vocation in the country, our fervent brotherly love for the survivors of the holocaust.¹