Unique collection of 33 photographs of Hebrew youth in Mezritsch, including 22 group photographs with dedications and blessings in Yiddish and Hebrew on their backs (see below). Many dedications from the cadets and friends of Bluma Rottelman, who completed the training in the Hashomer Hatzair movement in preparation for immigrating to Eretz Israel. Mezritsch, 1920s.
Among the photos:
Group photo of the girls of the "Kochavim" (stars) group with an inscription on the back: "In eternal memory of our group leader Bluma Rottelman from the "Kochavim" group 30/12/1926.
Group photo of "Head of the Mindel Prinkel Group" with the "Smachot" group - on the back of the photo is a dedication to Bluma immigrating to Eretz Israel: "Be strong, sister Bluma! I give you the picture of my group, and I ask you to remember sometimes me that I am a willing student to fulfill the commands of the heads! Hazak VeEmatz! 1928".
A photograph of a Jewish girl student at the local "Tarbut" school, with a dedication to Bluma in Hebrew on the back.
A group photograph of members of the "Pishpeshim" group, on the back of which is a dedication in Hebrew "To Sister Rottelman" of when she immigrated to Eretz Israel, 1927.
A group photograph of the "nest managers" against the background of a sign with a large poster in Hebrew dated 1932.
A group photograph of children, on the back of which is a dedication by Gdaliahu Broiman and Yitzhak Glazer: "As an eternal souvenir we give you our picture... do well on your trip... in our Holy Land' - Cheshvan 1926.
A photograph of the "Amitzei Lev" (Brave Hearted) group, dedication on the back "to the head of our battalion Bluma Rottelman, our sister head battalion, strong! Your little brothers bless you to rejoice with us at a ball in our country, Hazak VeEmatz group "Amitzei Lev" Tu B'Shvat 1927.
Photograph of Esther Finkelstein and Pinke Weiner - 1914.
A photograph of David Leiwitz and another friend - dedicated on the back: "As an eternal souvenir to the friend Bluma by David Leibitz".
A moving photograph of Bluma Rottleman and her friends dancing "Hora" on occasion for her departure and immigration to Eretz Israel.
Additional photographs of Hebrew youth with short dedications on their backs, a photograph what seems to be the interior of the "Tarbut" school, and more.
Bluma Rottelman, daughter of a Hasidic family, a member of the 'Hashomer Hatzair' movement, to whom several photographs in the collection were dedicated for her Aliyah to Eretz Israel, was one of the girls who passed the complete Hachshara training, and became the "Rosh Gdud" (head of a battalion), and eventually immigrated to Eretz Israel, It is known about two others girls who went through a similar path- Chaya Lisk and Malka Eisenberg. Bluma herself wrote when describing her days in the town of Mezritsch: "We, members of youth movements, prepared ourselves for pioneering, Zionism, immigration to Israel, a life of work and creativity there. Mezritsch in itself was loved by all of us... Because we were attracted to nature and beauty, space and light, and yet we saw our city as a temporary place for us, we saw our future in the longed-for Eretz Israel...". (See next item).
Between the two world wars, the town of Mezritsch numbered about 3,000 Jews, and there was a lively movement of Zionist organizations, and various nests of "HaShomer Hatzair" and other groups operated there. At the end of World War I, the organization "B'nai Zion" incorporated most of the Mezritsch youth – the organization was engaged in learning the Hebrew language, reading Zionist literature related to immigration to Eretz Israel, and social activities in nature. Later on, the "Tzeirei Zion" and "Poalei Zion" associations were organized there, as well as "Freiheit", the "Gordonia" Youth Association, the "Kadima" Hachshara group, the Beitar movement's nest, and others. The largest of the Zionist movements in Mezritsch was Hashomer Hatzair, and during the 1920s hundreds of youth were educated through it. The Hashomer Hatzair movement was so strict about the Hebrew language, to the extent that over time Hebrew became the language spoken in school as well. At the same time, there were many aid societies such as: the Orphan Care Committee, Hachnasat Orchim, the Linat Hatzedek Company, charity, and more.
See also next item.
Twenty-five photographs measuring 9x14 cm. Seven photographs measuring 9x7 cm. Overall Very Good Condition.
