Alexander Zayd One of the founders of the Jewish defense organizations "Bar-Giora" and "Ha-Shomer" Date of Birth: 01.01.1886

1. Early Life and Family Tragedy
2. Zionist Awakening
3. Founding of Jewish Defense Organizations
4. Founding of Kibbutz Kfar Giladi
5. Controversy and Merger with Haganah
6. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and Family Tragedy

Alexander Zaid was born in 1886 in the small Siberian town of Zima, located in the Irkutsk region. Before his birth, his father was exiled to Siberia from his home in Vilnius for his involvement in revolutionary activities. Zaid's mother was from a group known as the Subbotniks, a Russian sect that observed Jewish customs.

In 1889, when Zaid was three years old, his mother was brutally murdered by bandits. Following this tragedy, the family relocated to Irkutsk in search of better employment opportunities. In 1901, Zaid and his father returned to Vilnius, where his father remarried. However, two years later, he passed away, leaving Zaid an orphan at the age of fifteen.

Zionist Awakening

In Vilnius, Zaid encountered Michael Halperin, a charismatic pioneer of the First Aliyah, who had arrived to promote the immigration of Jewish youth to Palestine. Inspired by Halperin's fervent words, Zaid embraced Zionism and embarked on a journey to Palestine in 1904, facilitated by the Zionist labor movement.

Founding of Jewish Defense Organizations

Upon arriving in Palestine, Zaid settled in the agricultural settlement of Rishon LeZion, where he befriended Israel Shohat, a prominent Zionist leader. In 1907, together with like-minded individuals, Zaid established the underground group known as Bar-Giora, named after the Jewish military commander who fought against the Romans in the 66-70 CE war. Two years later, Bar-Giora merged with Ha-Shomer, another clandestine self-defense organization.

Zaid and Shohat played key roles in the creation of Ha-Shomer, which provided protection for Jewish settlements in Palestine against attacks. Notable Jewish political figures, such as David Ben-Gurion, were members of Ha-Shomer, and some even lived for a time in the organization's settlement in Sejera.

Founding of Kibbutz Kfar Giladi

Around the same time, Zaid and his wife Tzipora established Kibbutz Kfar Giladi in Galilee, which became a hub for Ha-Shomer's underground activities.

Controversy and Merger with Haganah

In 1926, following the formation of Haganah, David Ben-Gurion demanded that Ha-Shomer disband and transfer its weapons to the new organization. Zaid and his wife supported the merger, but many members of Kfar Giladi opposed it. As a result, the Zaids were forced to leave the kibbutz with their four young children.

Later Years and Legacy

The Zaids relocated to Sheikh Abrek in the Jezreel Valley, where Zaid worked as a land guard for the Jewish National Fund (JNF). He also pursued his passion for archaeology and invited archaeologist Benjamin Mazar from the Hebrew University to excavate the ancient town of Beit She'arim on JNF land.

Zaid enjoyed the respect of neighboring Bedouin tribes and was known for his fluency in Arabic. During a wave of anti-Jewish riots, he was warned of an assassination attempt by a Bedouin named Rashid. Zaid refused to abandon his post as a guard, and he survived two attacks by Arab assailants.

Tragically, on July 11, 1938, Zaid was ambushed and killed by a Bedouin tribesman named Qasem al-Tabash while on a trail to Kibbutz Alonim.

In recognition of his contributions, a bronze statue of Zaid on horseback created by sculptor David Poles was erected on a hill overlooking the Jezreel Valley. Kibbutz Gvaot Zaid (later disbanded) and Beit Zaid were named in his honor. Poet Alexander Penn dedicated his poem "Adama, Admati" ("Land, My Land") to Zaid's memory.