(Youth Immigration), program run by the Zionist movement to rescue Jewish youth in Europe by sending them to Palestine. The Youth Aliya project was started in 1932 in Germany by Recha Freier, the wife of a Berlin rabbi. After the Nazis rose to power in 1933, Youth Aliya was adopted by the Jewish Agency. A Youth Aliya Office was created and put under the direction of American Zionist Henrietta Szold.
By the time World War II broke out in 1939, 5,012 children had been taken to Palestine by Youth Aliya. During the war, Youth Aliya pressured the British authorities to increase the number of Jews allowed into Palestine. However, the British refused to increase their immigration quotas substantially, so only 9,342 Jewish children entered Palestine during the war years of 1939--1945. Youth Aliya sent another 15,000 to Western European countries, most notably Great Britain.
Youth Aliya continued its aid and rescue activities after the war, as well. From 1945 to 1948, 15,999 Jewish youth immigrated to Palestine; most had to do so "illegally," as the British Mandatory authorities would still not increase their immigration quotas. By that time, children arriving in Palestine under the sponsorship of Youth Aliya were taken to live at well-established youth villages and education institutions.
