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[Page 154]
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In 1928, we – a group of friends – decided to establish the Freiheit organization. It was made up of former members of HaShomer HaTzair, and as well as supporters who were regular visitors at the HaTikva library, which was controlled by Poalei Zion (Z.S.) and the General Zionists – under the leadership of Icchak Rapaport, the brothers Szlomo and Eliezer Benedon, and others. The founders of Freiheit were Berel Zabludowicz, Motel Zutkiewicz, Jechiel Szafran, Josef Finkelsztejn and others. It was not easy to recruit new members, because the civil youth faction and the students were concentrated in HaShomer HaTzair, which had great influence in the city. Despite this, working class youths were organized in anti-Zionist
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[Page 155]
parties, such as the Bund and the Communists. The Bund, in particular, was a strong factor in city life. The rich Peretz Library and the extensive cultural activity it conducted captured many youths. Despite this, we succeeded in gathering around us a group of highquality youths with Zionist-Socialist outlooks.
Our Activity on Behalf of Keren HaKayemet
As members of Freiheit, we also participated actively in our daily work for the Zionist funds. The Chairman, Pesach Hochberg, of blessed memory, loyally served K.K.L. goals, and included us in all campaigns. He placed special emphasis on emptying charity boxes, “Flower Days”, etc.
The Working Land of Israel League
After the establishment of the League, I served as its Secretary for a long time. Member Aron Szperling was the Treasurer, and Chawa Zabludowicz was the HaShomer HaTzair representative. We recruited a large number of members, collected membership dues regularly and succeeded in our activities. I particularly want to mention our mass protest in 1929 against the events in Israel, which Ostrolenka did not forget for a long time.
In HeChalutz
We were among the builders and founders of HeChalutz. In the beginning, work was conducted in different apartments. Later, when we were a recognized group, we found a suitable location and worked independently. We concentrated primarily on preparation for hachshara and the study of Hebrew.
Our members who went to hachshara continued to be active there: Eliezer Lachowicz, Hanan Eisenstein and Chaim Piaseczny – at Kibbutz Kleszv in Brysk; Jehuda Icchaki (Chomont) – at Kibbutz HaShachar in Vilna; and I – at Kibbutz Borochow in Lodz, where I served on the kibbutz committee and as its delegate in the Freiheit organization.
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