This photograph was taken in a Youth Aliyah Village in 1957. In the photograph are three young boys posing for the camera. Their diverse origins are apparent: the boy in the centre is blonde with an European appearance, while the two boys on either side of him have a darker complexion and a more Middle Eastern appearance.
Recha Freier founded Youth Aliyah in 1932, just as the Nazi party was rising to power. The purpose of the organisation was to rescue German youth from Nazi persecution by sending them to Israel to work in pioneer training programmes.
Henrietta Szold was appointed the head of Youth Aliyah in Israel, even though she was initially opposed to the programme, believing that there were not sufficient funds for other more crucial issues facing Israel. However, once funds were collected and arrangements made and with the worsening of the situation in Germany, Henrietta and others who had previously doubted the organisation, rallied for the cause, now understanding its dire need.
The first group of twelve young immigrants arrived in Israel in 1932 and were absorbed in the Ben Shemen Youth Village. In the following thirteen years, Youth Aliyah saved 30,000 Jewish children from Nazi Europe, later expanding to include immigrants from twenty countries. Between 1948 and 1952, Israel absorbed over 27,000 youth immigrants, 76% of whom came from Arab countries. This could explain the different physical appearances of the children in the photograph. In 1958, Youth Aliyah received the Israel Prize in recognition of its outstanding contribution to Jewish immigration.
Henrietta Szold oversaw the programme and even developed personal connections with some of the immigrants. As a result, she became known as the "Mother of Israel," earning respect from worldwide Jewry.
