THE ORIGINS OF "GRANDMA'S ARMY"

The end of the 19th century marked the start of a new movement––“Zionism”. Theodor Herzl, the founder of the Zionist movement, called for Jews across the globe to come together and form a national home for the Jewish people.

Back then, the Land of Israel was part of the Ottoman Empire, and populated mainly by itinerant Arabs from throughout the Middle East. The Jewish communities were mainly to be found in holy cities such as Jerusalem and Safed, that had existed for centuries. 

Inspired by Zionism and facing violent progroms in eastern Europe, more and more Jews felt the need to escape to a place they could call their own. They came to Israel and established the first "Moshavot"––Jewish agricultural communities and towns.

As Jewish communities bloomed throughout the Land of Israel, the concept of "Hebrew Labour" became the cornerstone of Israel's national revival process. By shaping a new society and building a country with their own hands, the Zionist movement was brought to life. At the time, the Jewish communities in the country would hire local Arabs to guard their homes and fields. However, Jewish pioneers aspired to take their security into their own hands.

 

In 1907, an underground self-defense order called Bar-Giora was formed in order to lead Hebrew labour, train Jews in combat, build Jewish communities and secure Jewish towns. The goal of the organization was settling the land and guarding it from Arab attackers.

 

As a motto, Bar-Giora chose a line from Yaakov Cohen's poem, Habiryonim: "In fire and blood did Judea fall; in blood and fire Judea shall rise." This was one of the mottos of the Jewish defenders during the progroms in the Russian Empire. Members swore an oath of secrecy, discipline, selfless service, devotion to the cause and loyalty. All decisions had to be ratified by unanimous vote. All members were required to have at least a year's experience in farming. Guarding was put off until the members of the organization had gained enough experience and knowledge of the land. 

Deciding to focus their efforts solely on guarding Jewish communities Bar-Giora was absorbed into a legal organization called HaShomer. The founders had experienced progroms in Russia and were determined that, in Israel, Jews would be more effective in defending themselves. It was established, in 1909, as a self-defense organization, by members of the second wave of immigration to Israel. Anti-Jewish violence, particularly by Arab ambushers, became endemic, and many Jewish guards were killed.

                                   

 Hashomer saw themselves as the nucleus of a future Jewish army. However, at no time  did the organization expand beyond one hundred members. It was formally disbanded after the establishment of the Haganah in 1920.