B’nai Hashachar

B'nai Hashachar (also spelled "Bnai Hashachar" also known as Glasgow Junior Zionist Organisation) was a Zionist youth society in Glasgow that was active at least in the 1940s.

Aims: The society's main objective was to promote Zionism among Jewish youth. It explicitly described itself as a non-political organisation focused on the training of Jewish youth for life and work in Palestine.

Activities: It held rallies and meetings, as reported in the Jewish Echo newspaper in the 1940s. Notable people: Individuals associated with the society included Joe Cina (a speaker for the group) and Jack Miller (who outlined the aims of "Hashachar").

The name "B'nai Hashachar" is a Hebrew term meaning "Sons of the Dawn" or "Children of the Dawn". The organisation appears to have been a local Glasgow group related to a broader Zionist youth movement of that era.

Timeline

• 1938 - B’NAI HASHACHAR At a meeting held in the Zionist Centre last Sunday, the following Conveners were appointed:—Mr. J. Barnett, Study Circle Convener; Mr. W. Wanger, J.N.F. Convener; Mr. D. Wolfson, F.Z.Y. Convener. Mr. J. Barnett was also appointed a member of the House Committee. The B'nai Hashachar contemplate holding a Bus Tour sometime in June. Particulars will be announced shortly.
• 1936 - B’NAI HASHACHAR (Glasgow Junior Zionist Organisation) A musical evening was held last Sunday in the Langside Halls. The following contributed to the interesting programme of the evening: Miss J. Goldsmith, Mr. H. Barnett; Miss Glekin, Miss G. Cowan, Miss P. Levick, Mr. Stone, Miss Steinberg, Miss Caplan, Masters D. Wolfson, A. Gelfer and H. Yaffe, and the Misses R. and C. Levitus. I ; Mr. A. L. Green was elected Vice- President in place of Mr. R. Karter, who has resigned. Mr. Ellis Levenson was elected Hon. Secretary and Study Circle Convener. - An essay competition, open to all members, is being run by the society. Subject: ‘‘Has Present-day Zionism taken the Wrong Road?’’ The competition will be open till March 15th.