PIONEERING IN CANADA

It took four years to realize our dream of a chava (training farm) in Canada. As I recall, we first began to discuss this matter in Montreal Habonim five years ago. At that time a Jewish farmer of a nearby community offered us the use of a stretch of his farmland for this purpose. Before long, a group of six chaverim was prepared to embark on this venture. But, for some reason or another, the plan was scrapped.

Before long, our older chaverim gradually entered into the armed services, and that put an end to the idea of a Canadian chava for a few years. Two years ago, Hashomer Hatzair rented a farm at Prescott, Ontario; and a group of their chaverim went out to hachshara (training). Though Habonim didn't participate in that project as such, it revived discussion of a Canadian chava. In the many lively discussions we entered into with other chalutzim in Canada and with representatives of our senior movement, it was finally decided that we would not follow the path of Hechalutz in other countries in the practice of maintaining separate centers of hachshara for each of the many Zionist youth movements, but rather that we aim towards the establishment of a unified hachshara farm for all chalutzim in Canada, independent of their organizational or political ties.

On the initiative of the Labor Zionist movement of Canada, a campaign committee was organized, consisting of seniors; Habonim, Hashomer Hatzair, and Hechalutz representatives; and several business-men of the community. Within a few months the farm was carefully greeted from the many prospects; and, in January of 1946, the first group of chalutzim arrived at Smithville, Ontario.

The chava is situated in the Niagara fruit belt, one of Canada's most fertile agricultural regions. The soil, climate, and nearby population centers make it ideal for a mixed farming economy. 

The farm consists of one hundred fifty acres: approximately one hundred twenty-five acres under cultivation, twelve acres of woodland, and about twelve acres of buildings. The yields of the various crops have been very good to date, due in no small measure to the excellent care given the fields.

The buildings consist of a two-story brick house; a large barn, including two silos having a two-hundred-ton capacity; the recent addition of a twenty-two-thousand-dollar, two-story poultry house; a machinery shed, garage, and machine shop; and storehouse. The buildings are in need of repair; and, as the farm is being whipped into shape, they are being improved.

The farm is well equipped with the necessary machinery, including a tractor and cultivation implements, a sprayer for fruit trees, a hay mower and loader, six wagons and drays, two milking machines, a three-ton truck, and a one-ton truck.

The livestock consists of a team of horses; approximately thirty-three hundred chickens; and a dairy herd of thirty-one head of cattle, including twenty milking cows and one purebred bull.

Future plans call for the purchase of the neighboring farm, consisting of ninety acres, to be devoted exclusively to the growing of feed crops. Beekeeping, the purchase of an incubator, and improvement of the dairy herd occupy a very prominent place on our expansion list.

The purchase price of the farm was twenty-eight thousand dollars, and its estimated value at present is about seventy-five thousand dollars. From the above it can be clearly seen that this farm is a going concern and offers a wide variety of training for our chalutzim.

The Smithville farm has the dubious honor of being the only "united" chava in the world today. And, as such, it is faced with problems and situations which are unique. "What are the relations between the various youth movements?" is the first question asked. In the early days of this chava, truth to tell, relations were much healthier. The chevra was smaller; and more important, the "pioneers" made a conscious and genuine effort to live together harmoniously. They were all aware of the tremendous responsibilities involved in establishing a mixed group and showed themselves equal to the task. It may be worth noting that many of the early members had been on hachshara prior to coming to Smithville and thus were farther removed from the petty political frictions and organizational differences to which the newcomers were exposed.

As the group was enlarged, as the chava became firmly established, and as the "old-timers" left the farm, the social character changed. Movement differences cut sharply across social relationships. Chaverim of both Habonim and Hashomer Hatzair stick very closely together as separate groups. This may be indicated by each group "capturing" a table at mealtimes, by "block-voting" on technical questions at group meetings, and by the "digs" we sometimes take at one another.

Despite these difficulties, life at Smithville is very tolerable, to say the least. The work program isn't hampered by these differences, and it is hoped that the social rift will be done away with in the near future. It may be added that a chava such as this can go a long way in helping Hechalutz become an organization in its own right, rather than remaining a federation, zealous of maintaining a minimum basis for work.

Until a short time ago the cultural committee was responsible for the cultural activities of the chava. It drew up a series of outlines for discussions on the labor movements in various countries of the world. Also, a list of discussions for shlichim and other special visitors was prepared. The committee also carried through a number of evening programs.

It was found that attendance and interest in the first series was very poor. Since the group is composed of individuals with varying backgrounds and interests, it is planned that interest groups of various types be organized to take the place of the group discussions. One such group, a group on socialism, has already been organized; and others are in the offing. The prevalent opinion was that there is no need for a cultural committee, and it was voted out of existence. In its place one chaver was made responsible for these activities.

Of late, the study of Hebrew is taking a much more prominent place in our activities. With the shortening of the work day to 4:30 p.m., every chaver has the opportunity of putting in one and a half hours per day of study. The Hebrew Culture Fund of Toronto supplies us with an instructor for the weekend, and classes are held on work time.

A sizable library is being built up, as well as a record collection. And, with the easing up of the work program for the winter, reading and discussion are increasing to a great extent. The occasional movies and stage performances afford much needed relaxation. In the very near future, lectures on agricultural topics will be resumed, with the help of our farm manager and competent people from the nearby Agricultural Experimental Station.

The use of private money is taboo now. At a discussion held early in October, the whole question of kupa (group fund) was thoroughly discussed; and it was felt that the chaver's needs be met by the chava and not from personal sources of income. That is, if the farm is in a good financial position, more money is at the disposal of the group to meet our needs. Luxury money—that is money required for use on days-off, movies, etc.—is obtained from the group treasurer. Fifteen dollars is allotted to each chaver when he goes on his annual two-week leave.

Though luxuries are at a minimum and many comforts are still lacking, due to financial conditions, it is gratifying to mention that food has always been plentiful and of a very high quality. The chaver in charge of the kitchen insures a balanced diet, and the food is attractively prepared. These are two important factors conducive toward work efficiency and high morale.

The house consists of eight bedrooms, five of which are occupied by couples; two are for the bachelors, and one for the young maids. The boys* headquarters take on the character of miniature barrack rooms, with five or six boys to a room. The kitchen, dining room, living room, supply room, and bathroom complete the living quarters of the house. Without going into the details of house-planning, it it obvious that more living space is a very pressing need. There is talk of converting the attic and thus adding four more rooms, or building an extension to the house. The house should have accommodations for thirty-five chaverim, as well as recreation, playrooms, and a library, which will also serve as a reading and writing room.

When a chaver comes to the chava, he is expected to bring an ample supply of work and dress clothes. The clothing is kept in repair and replaced when necessary. Upon leaving the chava, a chaver receives a set of work clothes as well as his dress clothes. Expensive items of dress clothes, such as dresses, suits, and coats, are not replaced; but shirts, socks, underwear, etc., are replaced whenever necessary.

The budgetary allotment is twenty-seven dollars per chaver per month at present and will rise as economic circumstances permit.

SAM COHEN, Montreal, 1947