Bar-Giora (organization)

Bar-Giora (Hebrew: בר גיורא) was a Jewish self-defense organization of the Second Aliyah, the precursor of Hashomer.[1]

This article is about the organization. For the moshav, see Bar Giora.
Bar-Giora
Active1907-1909
CountryOttoman Empire, Yishuv, Mandatory Palestine
TypeParamilitary
RoleDefense of Jewish settlements

History

On September 28, 1907, the group was founded by Poalei Zion members. It was headed by Israel Shochat, Alexander Zeid, Yechezkel Henkin, the members gathered at Yitzhak Ben-Zvi's unfurnished apartment in Jaffa and formed Bar-Giora, a Jewish self-defense organization named for Simon Bar Giora, one of the leaders of the Jewish Revolt against the Romans. The founding members were Israel Shochat, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Mendel Portugali, Israel Giladi, Alexander Zaid, Yehezkel Hankin, Yehezkel Nissanov and Moshe Givoni.

The goal of the organization was settling the land and guarding it from Arab attackers. Previously, Arab guards had been hired for protection. Many Jews refused to employ members of Bar-Giora fearing it would cause more friction with the local Arabs.[2]

As a motto, Bar-Giora chose a line from Yaakov Cohen's poem, Habiryonim: "In fire and blood did Judea fall; in blood and fire Judea shall rise." This was one of the mottos of the Jewish defenders during the pogroms in the Russian Empire. Members swore an oath of secrecy, discipline, selfless service, devotion to the cause and loyalty. All decisions had to be ratified by unanimous vote. All members were required to have least a year's experience in farming. Guarding was put off until the members of the organization had gained enough experience and knowledge of the land.

When Hashomer was formed on April 12, 1909, Bar-Giora was absorbed into it.

References
  1. The Grandfather of the IDF - Ha'Shomer Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Hashomer Museum, Kfar Giladi Archived July 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
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