Habonim Dror (, "the builders–freedom") is the evolution of two Jewish Labour Zionist youth movements that merged in 1982.
Habonim (, "the builders") was founded in 1929 in the United Kingdom and over a period of years, spread to all English-speaking countries. Each country developed its own independent version of the original movement whilst sharing the core ideology of being a Jewish Zionist-socialist cultural youth movement.
Dror (, "freedom") was founded in Poland in 1915 out of a wing of the Tze'irei Zion (Zion Youth) study circle. The majority of Tze'irei Zion had merged with a group called Hashomer in 1913 to form Hashomer Hatzair, and those who remained outside of the new group formed Dror. The group was influenced by the teachings of the Russian Narodniks.
Members of Dror participated in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Mordechaj Tenenbaum and other Dror members organised two underground factions in the Bialystok Ghetto.
Dror was aligned with the HaKibbutz Hameuhad network, while Habonim was aligned with the Ichud kibbutzim. When the two kibbutz movements merged in 1980 to form the United Kibbutz Movement (TaKa"M), so did their respective youth movements.
Ideology
Habonim Dror is a Jewish cultural youth movement, which exists to connect young Jews via Jewish culture, both within Israel and in the Jewish Diaspora. One of the central ideas is that of tikkun olam, a Hebrew phrase that means "mending the world" which originated in the early rabbinic period of Judaism. The Movement ideology falls into different categories. They are Judaism and Chalutziut (Pioneering), specifically Aliyah (moving to Israel, and more specifically to Kibbutz), collective action and mutual support that falls under the rubric of socialist ideology, and AliHagshama Atzmit (Self-realisation). These categories are not independent ideologies, each element integrates with others others. Every chaver(a) (member) tends to embody the spirit of Habonim Dror and the underlying idea of mutual acceptance and support for one another through good works, based on their shared experiences and values gained in the movement. Habonim Dror's ideology is an attempt to represent this forward direction.
The expression of these ideals involves gatherings and activities that include scouting, camping, hiking, as well as the education of the geography and history of Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel). Jewish history is given attention, as are songs and dances taken from the pioneer days of the present State. Socialist ideals are expressed through interest in kibbutz and "irbutz" (urban communal living spaces movements) living.
The three pillars
Habonim-Dror is based on three so-called "pillars": Judaism, Zionism, and socialism. Judaism is mentioned first because this is a "Jewish" movement interested in the upbuilding of Israel through collective/collaborative work.
Judaism
On every Friday at sunset, the Sabbath is greeted with song. At the end of the Sabbath, the Havdalah is said. Religious symbols are present during the Sabbath and the Israeli flag is visible at activities. The wearing of a head covering or Kippah not required. Additionally, Kashrut is not always adhered to.
When the movement began in London there were only two "pillars", namely Judaism and Scouting. As the ideology developed, Zionism was added along with Socialism. The latter two were connected through the desire to experiment with kibbutz life. The history of the movement was written and published in 1999 in a book "Habonim in Britain 1928-1955".
Zionism
Habonim is historically a Zionist youth movement. Zionism ( supporting the creation of a state for Jews) is one of the principles of Habonim. Many of the educational programs offered by Habonim during activities are the history of the Jews and desire for a homeland, and then how collaborative work sets the stage for community and the ability to create a homeland supported by tikun olam and creating a vibrant and rich living experience. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s many members went on Aliyah. Today, Habonim remains supportive of state welcoming of Jews and is positive towards Israel. But Habonim distances itself from supporting the ideas and activities that support West Bank settlements and Habonim expresses the desire that Israeli and Arabs learn to collaborate and create a peaceful existence that honors both ethnicities, among others.