Hashomer Hatzair World Movement Ideology

 To download a copy of the 2008 World Movement Convention Ideology, click here.

The 10 Dibrot

1.)                The Shomer/et is a man/woman of truth and stands on its guard

2.)                The Shomer/et is an integral part of the Jewish people and strongly connected to the State of Israel. He/she is rooted in his/her culture and is a chalutz/a of our Judaism.

3.)                The Shomer/et finds meaning in his/her relationship to work and fights to create a world where labour is a productive expression of human creativity and freedom.

4.)                The Shomer/et is politically active and a forerunner in the pursuit of freedom, equality, peace and solidarity.

5.)                The Shomer/et is a committed chaver/a that works jointly with others, struggles for the progress of society and promotes Shomeric values.

6.)                The Shomer/et actively develops and maintains relationships which are intentional, free and honest within the kvutza and the whole Shomeric community. He/She takes the responsibility to look after his/her chaverim.

7.)                The shomer/et respects and cares about nature; he/she gets to know it, learns how to live within it and acts in accordance with sustainable practices.

8.)                The Shomer/et is courageous, independent, thinks critically and takes initiative accordingly.

9.)                The Shomer/et strengthens his/her character and strives towards physical, mental and spiritual wholeness.

10.)            The Shomer/et is led by his/her reason and takes full responsibility for his/her actions. He/she sets Dugma Ishit.

The Three Pillars

Hashomer Hatzair is based on three fundamental pillars: Zionism, Socialism and Judaism. The concept of Hagshama requires us to realize our ideology and should look to include all elements of these firmly held beliefs because it is the unique combination of these that makes us who we are. Essential to our beliefs is that we engage in a continuous process of re-examination that responds to changing context and environment.

Hashomer Hatzair, as a Tzofiut-based (Scouting) movement, believes that integral to being a shomer/et is acting responsibly towards the environment. As a Chalutzic (pioneering) movement, we encourage the realization of our ideology to be groundbreaking and revolutionary in nature.

Definition

Hashomer Hatzair’s Zionism stems from the belief that all peoples deserve a right to self-determination, and that Israel is the expression of Jewish self-determination. The Jewish homeland should be a safe haven for all Jews and the centre where Jewish culture and identity can flourish.

Our vision is to create and maintain a self-critical balance between a socialist, Jewish society and a pluralistic, democratic and secular state that ensures social justice for all.

Our Zionism consists of a mutual relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, including dialogue and criticism.

As a Zionist movement we believe that we have a big responsibility to contribute to Aliyah by educating our Chanichim to make a conscious and personal choice about it.

Educational Practice:

Hashomer Hatzair educates its chanichim/ot to have a base of knowledge in order to understand Israel today, its heritage and the relevance of their connection to it. Programs need to include dialogue that is done under a pluralist and critical viewpoint.

We encourage long-term stays and programs in Israel that are relevant to the movement’s ideology. We educate our chanichim about aliya and help them on a path to make a conscious and personal choice for their future.

The Shomer needs to actively express his opinion in matters related to Israel.

Socialism

Definition

Hashomer Hatzair socialism rests on the belief that humans are free, creative beings who deserve to live in a society that empowers them to develop themselves to their fullest potential. We take as central values social, economic, and political equality and justice.

We believe Capitalism and other oppressive forces create fundamentally unequal, exploitative, and alienating modes of production that themselves create poverty, war, ignorance, ecological destruction, lack of freedom, and prevent people from realizing their full potentials. We see socialism as not only an alternative to this type of society, but an entirely new and revolutionary one that can stand on its own.

We envision a world of small, cooperative communities made up of individuals and groups who practice intentional, free, egalitarian, and intimate relationships. We believe that these communities must have a balance between the individual and the collective – that the collective is actually a force that will free the individual.

We believe in a society where the people as a whole possess the ability to control their lives, work freely and creatively, and to participate in an equal and democratic society. We see socialism as a tool and way of life that allows people to live truly human lives.

Educational Practice

Hashomer Hatzair educates towards unselfishness and being responsible, critical and active social beings. We teach Chanichim to live according to the values of humanistic socialism, both within the movement and outside of it, furthering the equitable treatment of people.

We require of ourselves to be critical of society, not fearing to be against the mainstream and therefore standing behind these opinions.

We must be socially responsible in all facets. In order to achieve this we put an emphasis on education about other cultures, the role of consumption and over-consumption, as well as the functioning of global and national politics.

To these ends, we use tools such as political community action (Avoda Kehilatit), education through experience, group work, symbols (such as Chulzah and Kuppah), organization into Kvutzot and the treatment of the Chanichim.

Definition

Hashomer Hatzair’s Judaism is a stream of Judaism and is based on the Jewish culture and our humanistic approach. We place the individual in the centre of our Jewish worldview. Our morals derive primarily from our sense of responsibility and respect to humankind. We believe in and practice a form of active Judaism that encourages everyone to give personal meaning to their Judaism within the Shomeric community.

Our Judaism draws upon the vibrant culture, tradition, history and legacy of the Jewish people and connects us to our heritage. We view Jewish sources as inspiration and open for critical interpretation.

Our approach stems from a thorough understanding of Judaism and the development of a contemporary, meaningful way of expressing our Judaism.

Educational Practice:

We provide our Chanichim with an opportunity to find their own access and approach towards Judaism and strive to shape confident individuals who found their place in Judaism and feel connected to their cultural heritage.

Hashomer Hatzair extends knowledge in Jewish heritage, classical and modern Jewish literature and teaches about Jewish history, culture and traditions. The Shomeric activities fit the Jewish cycle of life including traditions.

Hashomer Hatzair members will constantly review and, if needed, renew the Jewish traditions according to the current philosophy of the Chaverim.

Our Judaism is open to every person that feels part of the ideals and is willing to take part in it. Every behaviour that does not follow the principles of secular Judaism can be kept at the condition that it does not contradict the organization and progressing of the activities.

Hagshama

Hashomer Hatzair sees many ways of self-realisation. We believe that it is Hagshama that gives meaning to our ideology and brings us to the realization of our pillars and dibrot and stresses the importance of putting it into practice.

Hagshama is a concept which often blurs the distinction between tools and goals. We accept that we have much work to do in defining our conceptual definition of this term and that this process must continue.

This document is a list of examples of Hagshama. It is not complete, however, its purpose is to give guidelines, to be a source of inspiration and to provide tools:

Aliya that affects positive change in all of Israeli society (individually or kvutzati)

Aliya to work in the Shomeric community and strengthening the Tnua Olamit directly or indirectly

Be a Zionist activist in the Diaspora through organisations

Be a Zionist activist in the Diaspora by supporting social initiatives

Productive life in a Jewish community that is open to everyone

Preserving and passing on the Jewish culture and tradition by education, practice and continuous learning

Building supplementary Shomeric Jewish schools

To carry out Shomeric services, to write liturgy and run secular Shiurim

To be a chalutz of Judaism development of which creates cultural and intellectual centres inside all communities

To follow a Jewish lifecycle in a distinctly Shomeric lifestyle

Intentionally exploring alternative ways of life and living together

Leading a life of political activism for freedom and others

Variety of social justice projects within the movement and with others.

Re-ordering of society and its ideals beginning with critical education and activism on the grass roots level

Promote human intimacy that helps to create an environment for hagshama ishit.

Collectivist structures of socially conscious individuals like kvutzot, Communa, Urban Kibbutz, Kibbutz and the re-interpretation of classical kibbutz structure

Educate and activate to live according to our ideology

Create and live in alternative communities, Kibbutz, Communa, etc.

Common economic system (shituf kalkali).

Activism within the Diaspora Communities: affecting society (community and worldwide).

Kehilat Bogrim: Create a worldwide network.

Building/leading/working on alternative, jewish communities; providing alternatives, creating own religious practices.

Working for/ strengthening the youth movement.

Synthesis between Tikun Adam and Tikun Olam

Striving for personal growth and improvement

Asking ourselves hard questions and looking for the answers.

Seeking new experiences