Habonim Dror (Hebrew for “Builders of Freedom”) North America is an international socialist-Zionist youth organization operating in more than 20 countries that advocates for Progressive Labor Zionism (PLZ) and works for social justice, equality, and peace while promoting kibbutzim in Israel by strengthening Jewish identity and engaging youth. 1 2
Progressive Labor Zionism defines Israel as the central space for Jewish people, in which a constant revolution toward justice takes place. It commits to Hebrew as the Jewish language, places the individual over the nation state, and affirms equality for all races, genders, abilities, sexual identities, and economic classes. 1
History
Habonim Dror North America (HDNA) was created by the merger in 1982 of two Jewish movements. Habonim was founded in 1929 in London as a Jewish cultural movement for those aged 12 to 18. Dror originated in Poland in 1915 as a wing of Tze’irei Zion study circle and was known for its participation in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against Nazi Germany during the Second World War. 3
Advocacy
Habonim Dror advocates for an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories and a commitment to a two-state solution, and a deep engagement with the Arabic language. The organization promotes partnerships with movements in Israel and North America including Tnuat Bogrim, NaNoar, HaOved, v’Halomed, Dror Yisrael, and other political parties and movements that share similar values. 1
In April 2024, HD released a statement urging President Joe Biden to work for a bilateral ceasefire and release of all hostages, a surge of humanitarian assistance, and a return to negotiation in the Israel/Hamas conflict. 4
Partnerships and Sponsors
Habonim Dror is a partner of the left-of-center New Jewish Narrative which resulted from the merger of Americans for Peace Now and Ameinu, along with J-Link, Shalom Achshav, Project Rozana, and Kibbutz Program Center. 5
HDNA is a member, along with 12 other Jewish organizations, of the Progressive Israel Network (PIN) which made a statement on October 11, 2023 supporting Israel and condemning the security failures of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 4
Partners and sponsors of Habonim Dror include Ameinu, Habonim Dror Camp Association, J Street U, the Covenant Foundation, American Zionist Movement, Israel Experience, Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, Jewish Camp, NA’AMAT USA, and Israel Journey. 6
Activities
Habonim Dror North America operates summer camps in the United States and Canada, a summer camp in Israel, a gap-year program in Israel, and year-round activities through Habonim Dror Ken. 7 8
Alumni
Notable alumni of Habonim Dror or its predecessor organizations include former Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meir, economist Stanley Fischer, former President of Israel Chaim Herzog, and actors Sacha Baron Cohen and Seth Rogen. 9 10 9 11 12
Funding
Habonim Dror is funded from individual, organization, and endowments, with grants from their nonprofit arm, Habonim Dror Foundation, that supports Habonim Dror North America, and grants from Masa which is funded by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the government of Israel. 13 14 13
Controversies
Habonim Dror members and alumni signed a petition calling on Habonim Dror North America to end its programming in Israel in protest of the proposed annexation of part of the West Bank. In response, the Jewish Agency for Israel threatened to withdraw support for HDNA camps and activities and demanded that HDNA withdraw support for the petition. 15
Related Organizations
The Habonim Camp Association Company is a coalition of Habonim Dror North America, the seven North American Habonim Dror camps, and the Habonim Dror Foundation that trains, networks, and sets policy for the seven camps. 16
References
- “Progressive Labor Zionism.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/progressive-labor-zionism/.
- “Around the World.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/about-us/around-the-world/.
- “History.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/history/.
- “Category Archives: Statements.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/category/statements/.
- “New Jewish Narrative.” New Jewish Narrative. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.newjewishnarrative.org/.
- “HDNA, Remember to Register to Vote!” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/.
- “Mission & Aims.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/mission-aims/.
- “Kenim.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/kenim/.
- “Habonim Dror UK: About Habodror.” Habonim Dror, September 23, 2021. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://habodror.org.uk/about-us/.
- “Zionism.” Habonim Dror. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/habonim-dror
- Levitan, Eilat Gordin. Golda Meir. Accessed January 5, 2025. http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/pinsk/pinsk_pages/pinsk_stories_golda_mier.html
- “Stanley Fischer.” Zimbabwe Jewish Community, February 26, 2024. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://zjc.org.il/stanley-fischer/
- “Scholarship Information.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/scholarship/.
- “Donate to Habonim Dror.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/donate/.
- “Jewish Agency Threatens Habonim Dror over Anti-Annexation Petition.” Jewish Currents. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://jewishcurrents.org/jewish-agency-threatens-habonim-dror-over-anti-annexation-petition.
- “Alumni.” Habonim Dror North America. Accessed January 5, 2025. https://www.habonimdror.org/alumni/.