Habonim Dror Australia's Ideology

The Habonim Dror Ideology is divided into five platforms. Our five platforms are Hagshama Atzmit (Self-Realisation), Socialist-Zionism, Chalutziut (Pioneering), and Judaism. The four platforms attempt to outline our vision, ultimate goals and values, and are somewhat more theoretical than practical.

Habonim Dror used to have a set of thirteen principles; the number chosen to be analogous with the 'Thirteen Principles of Faith' written by Moses Maimonides (Rambam) which form part of shacharit (morning prayers). Maimonides, born in 1135, was a rabbi, scholar, physician, scientist and philosopher whose two greatest works were the 'Mishneh Torah' and 'The Guide of the Perplexed'. These reflected his ability to comment on both the Jewish world and the wider community. Consequently, he remains an important influence on modern Jewish thinkers, both religious and secular. The thirteenth principle was "we believe that each chaver/a should embody the spirit of Habonim Dror based upon their experiences and values gained in the movement."

The Habo ideology is taught to our chanichim, and is generally well known by the more senior members of the movement. The ideology provides the underpinnings to almost all activities of the movement.
Being a democratic movement, all chaverim from grade ten and up are able to add or modify aspects of Habonim Dror's ideology on the federal camp asepha. To do so, a chaver/a would put forward a resolution which requires two thirds of the chaverim present at the asepha to vote in favour. Any ideological changes made however must be ratified by the Bogrim at the Ma'apelim Seminar.

Introduction to Ideology

Habonim Dror is a Culturally Jewish Socialist-Zionist youth movement, which exists to take responsibility for the Jewish people, Israeli society and the world. The ideology below is split under different headings for clarity, but these headings are not separate ideologies, what is written below is one ideology with each part integral to the next. Each and every chaver/a embodies the spirit of Habonim Dror based on their experiences and values gained in the movement. What is written below is an attempt to represent that spirit in words.

To download the official copy of the ideology, click here.

The latest ideology was updated at Veida on Chazon Seminar in September 2010. The next change to the ideology will occur in September 2011.

i - Socailist Zionism

  1. Habonim Dror believes in the participation of the Jewish people in building Israel as a Jewish state and in strengthening it as a society based on the values of Socialist Zionism
  2. Habonim Dror believes that the socialist practices of common ownership, collectivism and equal opportunity and democracy are essential in the creation of any community.
  3. Habonim Dror educates its chaverim towards Socialist Zionist hagshama according to the values of equality, peace, social justice, collective responsibility and community.
  4. Habonim Dror participates in education based on this ideology, both in Israel and in the Diaspora, to strengthen Jewish unity based upon the centrality of Israel.
  5. Habonim Dror believes in the practical manifestation of its Socialist Zionism platform by educating chaverim towards living in communities in Israel based on the structures of Kibbutz and kvutsah, be it urban or agricultural, which are societies that exist according to the ideals of Socialist Zionism.
  6. Habonim Dror promotes the expression of Israeli culture to help chaverim foster a meaningful connection to the country and believes that the use of
  7. Hebrew - as the national language of the Jewish people - is essential in developing this connection.
  8. Habonim Dror's Socialist Zionist aims include tikkum olam, healing our world, on a personal, environmental and societal level. This can be achieved by:
    1. Striving for betterment of self and our relationship with others
    2. Caring for our environment and redeeming the ecological imbalance created by the actions, or inactions, of our society.
    3. Striving towards an equitable society with equal access to resources for all humankind, through the actions of the chaver/a.

ii - Judaism

  1. Habonim Dror believes in Cultural Judaism - a holistic approach to Judaism as a culture in which religion and nationality are interwoven and integral parts.
  2. Reflecting Habonim Dror's conception of Judaism, we engage in a process of Jewish education through cultural practices and the use of sources and texts both secular and religious.
  3. Habonim Dror believes in the practice and expression of Cultural Judaism through the values of Socialist-Zionism. Habonim Dror facilitates the learning and questioning of one's beliefs and heritage; encouraging the formulation of personal expression and meaning within our communal Judaism.
  4. Habonim Dror believes that Judaism contains morals and values of a just and humane society, by which all chaverim should aspire to live.
  5. Habonim Dror believes in the centrality of the State of Israel as the home of the Jewish religion and people, and as an essential element of Jewish expression and education.
  6. Habonim Dror recognises and strives towards the basic solidarity of the Jewish people, which has a common destiny transcending geographical and cultural barriers. We are One People - Am Echad, characterised by mutual, collective responsibility.
  7. Habonim Dror believes that a Jew is a person of Jewish descent or any person who declares himself or herself to be a Jew and who identifies with the history, ethical values, culture, civilization, community, and fate of the Jewish people.

iii - Chaltziut

  1. Habonim Dror believes that chalutziut incorporates both the methods for realising the movement's ideology as well as being a value in and of itself.
  2. Habonim Dror believes in critical analysis including evaluating the accepted values of the society in which we live. In the process of evaluation we should recognise the merits of society and, where we do not find merit, we shall strive to pioneer alternatives
  3. Habonim Dror believes that hadracha is a unique and intrinsic element within the movement. Through informal education, the movement instils initiative and promotes leadership on accordance with the movement's values. Self-education and education of others is a continuous process within this.
  4. Habonim Dror believes that dugma ishit is an expression of hadracha. Each chaver/a has a responsibility to set an example which reflects the ideology and values of Habonim Dror.

iv - Hagshama Atzmit

  1. Habonim Dror believes that Hagshama Atzmit is the process of personal fulfilment of all movement aims; thus turning the vision outlined in Habonim Dror's ideology into a reality.
  2. Hagshama is not an attainable goal but an ongoing process. Those who are living their lives intentionally, according to their values and are working towards reshaping the world according to their values are partaking in the process of Hagshama.
  3. Habonim Dror encourages each chaver/a to adopt an approach to life inspired by the movement's ideology.
  4. Habonim Dror believes that making Chalutzic Aliyah, whilst embracing one's Jewish identity, is the highest expression of Hagshama; building a community in Israel holding paramount the values.