Glossary

The name "Habonim" is a Hebrew word meaning "the builders." Much of the movement's terminology is likewise in Hebrew. Over the years new Hebrew terms have been added or have replaced others. (Indeed, as a result of a merger with another world movement as this book was being prepared, Habonim changed much of its terminology and added the word "Ichud" [union] to its very name).

In this book, many of the Hebrew words have been translated or explained in the text; others, especially names of Jewish holidays and customs, can be found in most dictionaries. The list that follows includes only the most basic Hebrew terms as well as a few English names from Habonim's history.

The reader is reminded that the letters ch are pronounced as in the German ach and that the grammatical suffixes -a, -im, -ot represent f. sing., m. pl., and f. pl., respectively. In the text, common nouns have been written in italics, while names have been capitalized.

Alei U'vnei — Arise and Build (the motto of Habonim) 

aliya — immigration to Israel 

Aliya Bet — "illegal" immigration carried out against British rule 

avoda — work, labor 

bayit — house 

Bet Habonim — movement educational center at Kfar Blum 

boneh — member of Habonim, specifically one of high-school age 

Camp Kvutza — movement summer camp chatufz — pioneer in Israel, especially a member of a cooperative settlement

chalutziut — pioneering; way of life of the chatutz 

chanich — student, one educated in a youth movement 

chava — training farm 

chaver — member, comrade 

Chavurat Aliya — movement framework for those planning to settle in Israel 

chevra — group 

dunam — Israeli measure, about one fourth of an acre 

Eretz Israel — The Land of Israel, Palestine 

Farband — Labor Zionist fraternal order 

Galut — Diaspora

garin — group preparing for settlement 

giyus — mobilization 

Gordonia — a youth movement which merged with Habonim in 1938 

hachshara — training for settlement 

hagana — defense 

Hagana — official Jewish underground in Palestine before 1948 

hagshama atzmit — self-realization, self-fulfillment

Hanoar Haoved — youth movement of Histadnit 

Hashomer Hatzair — leftist youth movement

Hechalutz — framework for prospective settlers from all movements 

Histadrut — General Federation of Labor in Israel; actually, a federation of both unions and cooperatives

hityashvut haovedet — general term for cooperative settlement movement 

kibbutz — cooperative settlement 

Kibbutz Aliya — original name of Chavurat Aliya 

kinus — conference 

kupa — cooperative fund 

kvutza — in Habonim, a club or group,' in Israel, same as a kibbutz 

Kvutza — see Camp Kvutza 

Labor Zionist Organization of America (LZOA) — see Poale Zion 

Lishkat Hakesher or Lishka — office in Israel for contacts with Habonim in America and elsewhere; predecessor of World Habonim 

machaneb — branch of the movement in a community; also, a camp 

Machon L'madrichei Chutz L'Aretz (Machon) — Institute for Jewish Youth Leaders from Abroad, in Jerusalem 

madrich — leader 

Mapai — Labor Party of Israel 

mazkir — executive secretary

menahel — original term for madrich

merakez — organizer, coordinator

merkaz — central or executive committee 

meshek — agricultural settlement 

mifal — official movement settlement 

mishlachat — official delegation from Israel to youth movements in the Diaspora 

moadon — meeting hall or center 

moatza — council 

moshav — smallholder's settlement less completely cooperative than a kibbutz or kvutza 

moshav ovdim, moshav shitfufi — types of moshav 

noar — young-adult age group 

oleh — immigrant to Israel

oneg Shabbat — Sabbath celebration 

PATWA — framework for professionals interested in immigrating to Israel 

pegisha — meeting 

Pioneer Women — Women's Labor Zionist Organization 

pluga — unit 

Poale Zion (formerly Poale Zion Zeire Zion) — senior Labor Zionist organization 

rosh — head, director 

sabra — native of Israel 

Shabbat — Sabbath 

shaliach — official emissary from Israel to youth movements in the Diaspora 

shekel — World Zionist Organization dues 

sicha — discussion 

solel — member of youngest age group (10-12) 

Tnua Hameuchedet — Habonim in Israel 

tzofeh — member of 12-15 group 

Tzofiut — scouting 

vaad, vaada — committee 

v'ida — convention 

yishuv — Jewish community in Palestine 

Young Poale Zion Alliance (YPZA) — predecessor of Habonim