Ben -Gurion , Correspondence's file / תיק, בן -גוריון , התכתבות

📜 Documentation of the Workers’ Organization in Latvia and an Appeal to David Ben-Gurion

These sources include archival documentation of official correspondence from early 1936 concerning the activities of the Zionist labor movement in Latvia and Estonia. The letters, addressed to key figures such as David Ben-Gurion, detail the organizational structure of the "HeHalutz" federation and the efforts to train young Jews for immigration and settlement in the Land of Israel. The texts review the economic and logistical difficulties in managing the training collectives, alongside reports on the allocation of budgets to improve the living conditions of members. In addition, the documents reflect the internal political and organizational tensions within the movement and the influence of the political situation on the possibilities for immigration to the Land of Israel. Overall, the collection provides a historical glimpse into the framework of pioneering education and the practical preparation of Jews in the Baltic countries for working life in the country.

On 10.12.1934, the government of Latvia approved the activities of the "HeHalutz" federation (O40-1f). This federation was defined as the only body officially authorized to deal formally with matters concerning the Land of Israel within the country (O40-2f). According to the organization’s regulations, its main goals included preparing Jews for productive work in the Land of Israel, organizing professional and agricultural training groups, and conducting extensive cultural activities including reading rooms, libraries, and the study of the Hebrew language (O40-1f).

Political Organization and Organizational Structure

The "HeHalutz" federation in Latvia was divided into three main sections according to age groups: a section for Scouts (ages 10–16), a section for Pioneers (ages 16–25), and a section for Friends (adults over the age of 21) (O40-1f). The organization was headed by a central leadership whose headquarters were in Riga (O40-1f). A document dated 1.1.1936 notes that after a period of difficulties following the coup of 15 May 1934, significant growth occurred in the movement, and the number of members in the collectives increased by 200% (O40-4f). A handwritten note on an official letter states that the content of the letter was copied for H. Dovkin (O40-2f).

Youth Movements and Unifications

Within the leadership framework of "HeHalutz", several youth movements operated, including "Hashomer Hatzair" and "HeHalutz Hatzair", which united and formed the "Dror" movement (O40-4f). In addition, the General Zionist youth federation "Herzliya" is mentioned, which maintained connections with "HeHalutz", although difficulties in coordination between the organizations sometimes arose (O40-2f, O40-4f). The sources indicate that the leadership of "HeHalutz" sought to create unity and centralization of all pioneering forces under one umbrella in order to facilitate work with the authorities (O40-2f).

Aliyah and Training

Training activities were conducted in several centers:

• Kibbutz "Hasolel" in Riga: about 70 members (O40-3f).
• Kibbutz "Masada" in Riga: about 40 members (O40-3f).
• Kibbutz "Nativ" in Jelgava (Yelgava): about 40 members (O40-3f).
• Agricultural farm "Mishpachat": located near the city of Talsi, where funds were invested in agricultural training during the months October–December 1935 (O40-3f).

Economic and Administrative Difficulties

The organization faced complex budgetary and bureaucratic challenges. A financial report dated 6.2.1936 details expenditures totaling 1850 lats out of a budget of 2000 lats received from the Zionist Executive (O40-3f). The funds were used to arrange apartments, purchase furniture, and carry out repairs in the training collectives (O40-3f). In a letter to David Ben-Gurion, it is stated that difficulties existed with local laws restricting the collection of funds, and that the government did not allow money to be easily transferred out of the country (O40-2f). The writer of the letter, whose name is not entirely legible but appears to be Meiri, requests assistance from the Organization Department in obtaining permits for transferring funds (O40-2f).
Members of the collectives sometimes lived in difficult conditions; for example, members of Kibbutz "Hasolel" moved to a new apartment that required major repairs in the kitchen and bathrooms (O40-3f).

List of Terms

• Lats: The official currency of Latvia during the period in question.
• Training: A process of learning practical work (mainly agricultural or manual labor) as preparation for immigration to the Land of Israel.
• Kibbutz (in the Diaspora context): An organized group of pioneers living together and sharing resources in preparation for communal life in the country.
• Section: A department or division within a larger organization.
• Legalization: The process of obtaining official legal approval from the authorities for the organization’s activities.
• The Coup of 15 May: A political event in Latvia in 1934 that affected the freedom of organization in the country.

List of Sources

• O40-1f : An official letter from Riga (7.2.36) detailing government approval for the activities of the "HeHalutz" federation, the organization’s goals, and its internal structure.
• O40-2f : A letter to David Ben-Gurion (7.2.36) discussing the legal status of "HeHalutz" as the only authorized body dealing with matters concerning the Land of Israel and financial difficulties related to state laws.
• O40-3f : A financial report (6.2.36) detailing expenses for renovation and maintenance of the training collectives "Hasolel", "Masada", "Nativ", and the agricultural farm "Mishpachat".
• O40-4f : A historical overview (1.1.36) on the growth of the movement in Latvia after the events of 1934, the unification of youth movements into the "Dror" faction, and relations with the "Herzliya" federation.

O40-1f

O40-2f

O40-3f

O40-4f

** end of Ben -Gurion , Correspondence files **

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