Brit Yosef Trumpeldor (The Union of Yosef Trumpeldor; the organisation was also known as Betar, an acronym from Brit Trumpeldor) was the youth organisation of the Zionist-Revisionist Party, named in honour of Yosef Trumpeldor (1880–1920). The immediate impetus for the founding of this revisionist-leaning youth group was a series of speeches by the revisionist ideologue V. Jabotinsky, delivered to school pupils in Riga in 1923. Under his influence, several Jewish youth organisations embraced the Zionist path and merged into a union of young Zionist activists. Traditionally, the founding date of Brit Trumpeldor is considered to be 27 December 1923; it gained the status of a republic-wide organisation in August 1924.
Among the founders of Betar mentioned in literature and sources were Rabbi M. Levin and the lawyer M. Gelshtein from the elder generation, and from the youth, V. Lubotsky (B. Eliav) and A. Propes. Student organisations such as Hatkhiya and Kadima, led by pupils from the Hebrew Gymnasium, as well as the student organisation Hasmonea, joined Brit Trumpeldor.
The new organisation was officially registered in Latvian as Ebreju jaunatnes nacionālā kultūras un sporta veicināšanas biedrība Josifa Trumpeldora vārdā (in Hebrew: Histadrut Noar Al Shem Yosef Trumpeldor – Youth Organisation named after Yosef Trumpeldor).
According to its 1924 charter, the Latvian Brit Trumpeldor aimed to educate its members in respect and loyalty towards the Latvian state, promote national-cultural, moral, and physical upbringing, and to involve members in crafts, agriculture, and maritime work through courses, farms, and the like. It also aimed to offer economic assistance to those in need, to promote emigration to Palestine, and to propagate the idea of establishing a Jewish state there. The organisation declared itself apolitical and openly stated that social issues of the Jewish community were not its primary concern. Betar’s charter stressed strict discipline, physical education, and sports.
The 1935 charter forbade Betar members from consuming alcohol, gambling, and visiting disreputable establishments. Uniforms, belts, parades, and paramilitary training were popular within the organisation. Betar had its own flag and emblems; its symbol was the menorah (seven-branched candelabrum). Members greeted one another with the phrase “Tel Hai!”, after the village defended by Trumpeldor where he fell.
To support Brit Trumpeldor’s activities in Latvia, two funds were established: the youth fund (Keren Betar) and the general fund (Keren Tel Hai). Brit Trumpeldor published the Betar journal and the annual Tel Hai.
Until 1930, Betar’s World Centre was based in Riga, later moving to Vienna and then Paris. From Latvia, Brit Trumpeldor spread to other countries, maintaining close ties with international Zionist-revisionist centres. Latvians helped establish branches in various countries. At Betar’s founding conference in Danzig (1931), the World Organisation of Betar was created. Latvian Betar members were often elected to the global leadership, Shilton Betar (“The Authority of Betar”). Representatives from Latvia regularly participated in world congresses, exhibitions, and other international events.
Betar's ideas gained momentum after the 1929 Palestine riots, which saw many Jewish settlers, including Latvians, suffer, and again in the 1930s with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. By 1930, Betar had around 20,000 members worldwide; by 1934, about 65,000 in 26 countries; and by the eve of the Second World War, around 100,000. In some countries, Brit Trumpeldor became the largest Jewish youth movement.
Brit Trumpeldor fully adopted the political programme of the Revisionist Union. It viewed the creation of a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan River as the sole solution to the Jewish question. Betar members, like their Revisionist elders, showed little concern for the social structure of the future Jewish state, believing that class divisions among Jews would only cause harm.
From 1931, V. Jabotinsky, as Rosh Betar (head of the organisation), described Brit Trumpeldor’s ideal with the word “Hadar” (“glory”), which embodied honour, national dignity, and cultured behaviour. The guiding ideological principle was monism — the belief in one single national blue-and-white flag, one anthem (Hatikvah), and a singular Zionist worldview, free from socialist or other ideological influences. Military training for the defence of Jewish settlements was also paramount.
The movement distinguished itself from other Zionist groups through its uncompromising stance against Britain, which it accused of betraying its mandate obligations. In matters of religion, Betar followed Jabotinsky’s anticlerical yet respectful attitude towards tradition. Notably, Betar prohibited public desecration of the Sabbath.
Brit Trumpeldor actively promoted the Hebrew language and culture. All internal activities and documentation were conducted in Hebrew.
The number of Brit Trumpeldor members and branches in Latvia between 1923 and 1940 is characterised by the following data:
Year Number of Brit Trumpeldor Members
1924 (first half) 60–70
1924 (end of year) More than 300 (about 80 in Riga)
1931 (beginning) 1,170
1939 (May) 2,078
1940 About 3,000
By the mid-1920s, Brit Trumpeldor branches were established in Bauska, Ventspils, Dagda, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Kuldīga, Liepāja, Ludza, Rēzekne, Riga, Talsi, Tukums, and other Latvian towns. By late 1939, sixteen branches had undergone re-registration. Branches varied significantly in their levels of activity and membership numbers. For instance, in 1925, the Riga branch had around 200 members, while provincial branches were smaller — 25 members in Balvi, 33 in Baltinava, and 14 in Viļaka.
School pupils were involved in some branches; however, under the 1939 charter, school approval was required for membership. Active branches operated in Dagda, Riga, Daugavpils, and Ludza, while others, such as in Antonopol, Balvi, Bauska, Varakļāni, Viļaka, Zilupe, Krustpils, and others, were relatively passive.
The social composition of Brit Trumpeldor’s members and leadership was diverse. One document noted that members came from various strata of Jewish society.
The highest authority of the organisation was its congresses (conferences), often timed to coincide with Brit Trumpeldor anniversaries, symbolically involving the entire membership. World Zionist-Revisionist leaders also attended these celebrations.
Organisationally, Brit Trumpeldor consisted of a youth section (Betar) and a general section (Hatzohar – “Light”). Members were grouped by age: 13–15, 15–18, 18–23, and over 23 years. In 1940, there were three branches in Riga: Central, Eastern, and Northern, with a summer branch opening in Jūrmala.
Branches, called “nests” (Ken-Betar), were managed by commanders (mefaked). Activities took place in small houses or flats, with each group electing a “senior” leader, who was often rotated to provide leadership experience. Upon reaching 20 years of age, members transitioned into an instructors’ reserve.
Educational programmes included Hebrew language studies, Jewish and Zionist history, and knowledge about Palestine. Meetings involved lectures and reports, often centred on Palestine-related topics. Activities were sometimes conducted jointly with the Zionist-Revisionist Party. In cities like Daugavpils and Liepāja, they actively discussed combating antisemitism and creating a Jewish state.
Brit Trumpeldor paid little attention to Latvian internal politics or social issues, focusing instead on preparing youth for productive work and life in Palestine. The social structure of the Jewish population was seen as transitional, en route to a just society in Eretz Israel.
Branch events also commemorated important dates such as the founding of Brit Trumpeldor, the Balfour Declaration anniversary, and the memory of notable Zionist figures like Theodor Herzl, Max Nordau, and Yosef Trumpeldor.
One of the reasons for Betar’s successful activity was the preparation of instructors for branch work, aimed at “productive work for the benefit of Latvia and the national movement.”
Cultural and Mass Activities
Brit Trumpeldor branches engaged in a variety of cultural activities. Jewish traditions and holidays were respected even by non-religious members.
A key task for Betar leaders was preparing Jewish youth for emigration to Palestine. Professional training was provided for work in Eretz Israel, including Hebrew courses, Jewish and Zionist history, studies of national liberation movements, and Palestinian geography. Practical training took place at hachshara centres, where members learned trades, agriculture, maritime and aviation skills.
Senior members formed labour groups to master farming, trades, and maritime professions. Such groups existed in Riga, Liepāja, Daugavpils, Ventspils, and elsewhere. They lived in dormitories and underwent two years of preparation.
Agricultural training included farming, fishing, and tractor operation. The first Betar farm was founded in 1925, with farms later established near Baldone (“Bērzzemnieki” farm), Ropaži station, Vangaži, and others.
In 1939, a Brit Trumpeldor farm opened in Pepas, in the Inčukalns parish of Riga district. Tukums members trained at Baltezers; another training site was near Stropi, near Daugavpils. Some smaller training points operated for shorter periods.
Craft training began in 1924 at ORT vocational schools in Riga, Liepāja, and Daugavpils. Trades included metalwork, lathe operation, and electrical engineering.
Maritime training was another important aspect. The Riga branch acquired a small sailing vessel, Theodor Herzl, of 400 tons, with the help of Jewish philanthropists. Although sold in 1939 to the Jewish Socio-Economic Society, Betar continued to use it for maritime education.
The first group of 15 seamen trainees was created in 1935. Three Jewish youths studied at the Kr. Valdemārs Maritime School.
No other Jewish organisation in Latvia prepared future settlers for Palestine across so many fields.
However, by the late 1930s, Betar’s pioneering spirit declined. By 1937, only 8% of those training in agriculture were Betar members, a figure that continued to decrease due to financial difficulties.
Physical Education and Sport
Brit Trumpeldor placed a strong emphasis on physical education and sport. It significantly outpaced other Jewish youth organisations in this area. Popular sports included football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and others.
In line with its ideological goals of defending settlements in Palestine, Betar paid special attention to “defensive sports” such as boxing, jiu-jitsu, fencing, shooting, field engineering, topographical surveys, and signalling — essentially the basics of military training. These activities were conducted lawfully under Latvian regulations.
Members actively participated in sports competitions and festivals. After two years of training, members who mastered Hebrew, Jewish history, Zionism, and Palestinian studies could obtain certificates allowing emigration to Eretz Israel. However, British immigration restrictions complicated the process, and over 17 years, only several hundred Betar members emigrated to Palestine.
Participation in Zionist Activities and Relations with Other Organisations
Brit Trumpeldor members took part in many activities organised by both Zionist and non-Zionist organisations. These included protest rallies (for example, against Britain's restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine), processions celebrating Zionist anniversaries and key dates in Jewish history, and participation in the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet) initiatives.
From the late 1920s, Brit Trumpeldor’s participation in general Zionist activities decreased. Overall, however, it is clear that the Latvian Brit Trumpeldor was one of the most active Zionist youth organisations of its time. In October 1936, V. Jabotinsky visited Latvia, familiarised himself with the work of the local organisation, and expressed satisfaction with its activities.
Brit Trumpeldor was notably intolerant towards its opponents. Firstly, it maintained sharp confrontations with leftist organisations, particularly the Bund. Clashes between Betar members and Bundists, as well as other left-wing groups, were almost systematic. As a result, leftist Jewish circles often labelled Betar a “fascist organisation,” an accusation that was not consistent with the actual nature of Betar.
Secondly, tensions also existed with fellow Zionists from left-leaning organisations. For instance, when David Ben-Gurion visited Riga in April 1933, Betar members staged a scandalous incident at the railway station, pelting him with rotten eggs. Such confrontations undoubtedly hindered broader cooperation among Jewish organisations in the fight to improve living and working conditions for Jews.
From the mid-1930s onwards, such incidents decreased, partly due to the general closure of many Jewish organisations.
Relations with the Authorities
Brit Trumpeldor did not encounter major issues with the Latvian authorities. After the 1934 May coup, Betar continued its activities, although certain restrictions were imposed. For instance, its newspaper Ovntpost was shut down, permission to launch a replacement paper was denied, and some branches were closed or refused registration in certain towns.
Nevertheless, Zionist activities in general, and Brit Trumpeldor’s work specifically, were not banned. Several factors explain this:
Revisionists were considered loyal allies of Kārlis Ulmanis in his struggle against the Social Democrats, and they did not oppose the May 1934 coup.
Zionist organisations were preparing Jews for emigration to Palestine, aligning with the authorities’ view — similar to that of the Nazis — that Latvia’s prosperity would benefit from a reduction in its Jewish population. Hence, the authorities supported efforts to promote Jewish emigration.
Brit Trumpeldor, along with groups like Herzliya and religious organisations, actively opposed communism. The authorities viewed them as a counterbalance to left-wing radical movements and a way to steer youth away from communism.
At the same time, Brit Trumpeldor’s activities were strictly monitored. Authorities watched closely to ensure no leftist tendencies emerged within the organisation. Given the socio-economic hardships, discrimination, and rising antisemitism of the time, leftist sentiments inevitably spread among parts of the Jewish youth, which caused concern among government officials.
Authorities demanded the expulsion of politically “unreliable” leftist individuals from Betar’s leadership. However, these incidents had only a minor impact on Betar’s overall activities.
Therefore, many historians agree that Brit Trumpeldor's working conditions in Latvia from 1923 to 1940 — even under the authoritarian regime — were relatively favourable, and restrictions imposed by the government were minimal. Frequent expressions of gratitude from Betar leaders to the government and personally to Ulmanis for their ability to operate were genuine and not mere formality.
The End of Brit Trumpeldor in Latvia
In 1940, with the arrival of the Red Army, Brit Trumpeldor’s activities were forcibly terminated. The new Soviet authorities classified it as a reactionary organisation, and on 17 July 1940, Brit Trumpeldor was officially closed.
Its activists, including E.I. Halperin, D.Z. Vargaftik, Dov Milman, and others, were arrested and sent into exile or to labour camps. Some members in other cities also faced repression.