An Hebrew Poem of the 1950s

Youth Creativity and Cultural History in the BeMachane Gadna Magazine

This poem is part of the journal BeMachane Gadna. « Machane Gadna » was a youth magazine published by the Gadna Command (the youth pre-military corps command in Israel). It was published from before the establishment of the State, and later by the Ministry of Defense, until the early 1990s. In its earlier incarnations, it was called « Alumim, » « Niv Alumim, » and « Machane Alumim. »

Behind this page lies a wonderful piece of community history.

The magazine invited young readers to submit original verses for a creative competition. This piece was chosen as one of eleven others, which came from a small group of just four writers. Illustrator Yossi Stern brought these words to life. As a celebration of their win, all competition winners will receive prizes sent to them by mail.

Connecting these early creative expressions to the present helps us better understand contemporary Israel, offering a glimpse into everything from the early pre-army ecosystem to the behavior of youth in the country’s formative days.

More details about contemporary Israel on myoldnewland.com

The Publication: BeMachaneh Gadna (IDF Youth Battalions Newspaper)
Date: 23rd of Nisan, 5716 (April 1956)
Editor: Reuven Yannai