Ideology

From Habonim Dror

The Ideology of Habonim Dror Southern Africa

Habonim Dror's ideology is decided by a biannual Veida (ideological conference) - see here. The Veida is comprised of any Shomrim and Bogrim of the movement and meets at least once every 2 years.

There are also many recent articles and statements relating to our ideology on the Publications Page.

Download Habonim Dror SA's latest 'Chukkah' (2011) by clicking here

Habonim Dror Values Members of HDSA strive: Ideological Pillars Our 3 pillars are an oversimplified method of understanding what we stand for. Essentially these pillars are in fact interwoven entities but for ease of comprehension our ideology is outlined below in this format: Judaism Judaism or our Jewish identity is the cement that binds this movement and its members together. Habonim Dror celebrates our Judaism, and endeavors to make every facet of our identity and religion meaningful and relevant to our members. Habonim is pluralistic in its Jewish religious outlook and provides expression for a full spectrum of Jews: including Orthodox, Egalitarian and Cultural and secular. We have a kosher kitchen at our campsite, monitored by a full time mashgicha and there are no activities which would force people to desecrate the Shabbos, etc. Habonim attempts for its members to adapt Judaism to the challenges of today. An example of this is our Habonim Dror’s Pesach Hagaddah, which uses the story of Pesach to inspire us to meet the challenges of modern day manifestations of slavery and human rights abuse. For a recent thought piece on Habonim Dror and Cultural Judaism download this file here

Zionism Zionism, or Jewish Nationalism, is the belief in Jewish self-determination and the necessity of a collective to express itself through a Nation. Israel is a central focus of Habonim due to its role in our identity as Jews who want to help influence and change how Jewish life should be carried out. "Chalutzik Aliyah" (Pioneering immigration to Israel) is still in theory the highest ideal of the movement and entails not merely a relocation to Israel but rather being actively involved in the betterment of the state, through social and political activism while living in the country. We associate with the Israeli Left, and are support any movement that seeks negotiations, security and civil equality for all living in Israel and the occupied territories. Through our love and commitment to the country, we feel we are in a position to criticize any government of the day which falls short of our expectations. We support the creation of a Palestinian state and the negotiations which would lead to such a state. For a recent thought piece on Habonim Dror and Progressive Labour Zionism download this file here Service to Humanity and Equality This pillar represents the moral fiber that permeates and defines our particular Zionist outlook and Jewish identity. In recent times this pillar increasingly strives to remain true to its Socialist roots while updating Socialism to be relevant to our lives and the challenges facing the world in a non-dogmatic manner. Service to Humanity and Equality mandates our obligation to society, be it in Israel or South Africa, and fights against all forms of inequality spawned from individual or corporate greed, religious discrimination or political disenfranchisement. This Pillar strives for a more equal society where equal opportunity and greater equality of outcome are guaranteed by a more just and fair world system. Our stance on HIV/AIDS and the environmental crisis are also included in this pillar. Popular examples of hagshama (fulfillment) of this pillar include our community development projects in Cape Town and the volunteering of our Shnat members in development towns in Israel.

Important Ideological Concepts and Terms

Hagshama An ongoing process that strives for movement members to “fulfil” the movements values and aims in there post-movement life.

Hagshama Atzmit Personal fulfillment – the idea that at the centre of Habonim the individual must continuously strive to fulfill there potential through implementing Habonim’s ideology in there lives. Inseparable from Hagshama. Tikkun Atzmei The notion that change can only occur if we seek to improve ourselves simultaneously. Many adherents to this ideal view it as a precondition to changing our surroundings. Dugmah/ Dugmah Ishit The idea that only by doing what we say or carrying out our ideology in our every-day lives through personal example can we enact change and educate in a sincere and powerful manner. Being a dugmah entails taking on many of the responsibilities that a role model and an educator must.

Kvutzah

Literally meaning a ‘group’ but containing far more intimate and real relationships as outlined by Martin Buber and other Zionist thinkers. Embodied in this concept is the idea that: only through the “we” do we discover the “I”, only through a group or movement can we achieve change, and only through living in some form of community where honest and meaningful relationships take place can self-improvement take place. Madrich Literally meaning “a guide”, a madrich is a multifaceted individual and the most central concept to Habonim, whose primary role is to educate others informally through dugmah ishit. A madrich is responsible for the personal development of their channichim and seeks to bring out the unique potential in every channich while still instilling within them the movements values and ideals.

Critique-Vision-Method A useful model for looking at how ideology is formed. You choose a subject and look at what is wrong with it, then based on how what believe this problem ought to look like we create a plan of action for achieving this. Critique: Critically analyse the problems in today’s society, taking into account our identity, value system and the world (relevancy) Vision: We create an ideal for how the world ought to be. Method: We create a plan of action for achieving our vision which uses various methods and strategy. For another take on how ideology is formed see an interesting article by Gilad Isaacs (Mazkir Klali 2006) download this file here Summerised version of the ideology download this file here