Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 291

quite apart from the members of the Mizrachi Halutz Organisation, the General Zionist Halutz Organisation, etc., who form an •enormous reserve for future groups. There is no country in the world to-day where a Jewish community exists without its young Halutz movement. A vast number of young people are scattered in hundreds of groups in countries where Hachshara is possible, where, with limited means, they train themselves in poverty for the Homeland and for a life of labour. The number of Halutzim in Hachsharah in the world runs to tens of thousands. Members In General of Branches of Training Camps. Hechalus Organisation. Poland 12,500 42,000 Galicia 5,500 17,000 Germany 3,500 HO0O Roumania ... 3,800 9,000 Lithuania 4,000 5,000 Czechslovakia 1,200 3,200 Latvia 700 2,100 Austria 175 1,300 France 250 700 Bulgaria 130 450 Hungary 120 250 31,875 95,000 The figures for Germany include about 2,000 scattered in training camps in thirteen neighbouring countries of refuge. It will be noticed that certain countries have not been included, for lack of information. Halutzim are admitted to the training groups only after a certain period of membership of the Halutz Organisation and acquisition of a knowledge of Hebrew, and after evidencing an interest in Palestine problems, etc. The number of young people in the Halutz and similar organisations forming a reserve for the selection of candidates for the training groups, is about 150,000. The period of training varies with each country, the average being one to two years. Attention may be drawn to the great influence exercised by the young Halutz movement on Jewish life in the Galuth. Those countries where there is a Halutz movement show a generally increased activity in Jewish life. B.—The idea of organised immigration in place of immigration by individuals unconnected with any group, has taken hold of artisans and skilled workers, too. They do not actually live in groups—they are already sufficiently used to poverty and labour. They are mostly veteran workers qualifying in the trades and urgently needed in Palestine, studying Hebrew at evening classes and taking part in Zionist work. Every organisation and party has its artisans' group, whose sole aim is to get to Palestine. The following figures illustrate the position in Poland: 291