In 1923, a group of students and youth in Riga, Latvia came together to announce the formation of a new Zionist youth movement: the Joseph Trumpeldor Union of Activist Hebrew Youth – Betar. The main objectives of the movement were stated as education toward Zionism, love of the Land of Israel and preserving the wholeness of the Land, the ingathering of the exiles, the freedom of the individual and social justice.

The members of the new movement called on Ze`ev Jabotinsky, the leader of Revisionist Zionism, to stand at their head and to be their spiritual leader. From that day and until today, the teachings of Jabotinsky are the ptractical and spiritual basis of the Betar movement.

Today, Betar is among the most prominent of the youth movements working in the Jewish world and Israel. In Betar, the best of Israel`s young people are educated in the values of love of the Land of Israel, social justice and Hadar. The youth then realize this education by joining the Nahal garinim of Betar, which combine military service and settlement throughout the country with involvement in social and community activity in the framework of the Community Action Centers project.

Betar branches are spread throughout the country, and operate in cities, moshavim, community settlements and development towns. The movement is striving constantly to increase activities and open new branches.

Betar has set as its central objectives for the coming period the conyinuation of the struggle for the wholeness of the Land of Israel and Jerusalem, together with the continuation of work on the social front and continuing the educational work taking place in the Community Action Centers.

This combination of love of the Land and love of one`s fellow man in the activities of Betar constitute what Jabotinsky called `The lever of the Jewish People.`