Jewish youth associations in Yugoslavia 1926-1941

Abstract

The Zionist Movement had significant forerunners and ardent adherents in the countries that later united to form Yugoslavia. The student clubs in Vienna. Bar Giora and the Esperanza Society, were characterized by a pronounced national orientation even before the creation of Yugoslavia. After returning to the newly- established state, their members became the bearers of Zionist thought and also brought the spirit of Jewish revival into the Jewish religious school communities. However, it was only with the establishment of youth societies that also admitted secondary school students, that a genuine youth movement began. It signified a fundamental change and the beginning of a new way of life for the Yugoslav Jewish youth.