baruch ostrovsky was born in ukraine, in the town of rogachov, in 1890. in early childhood, receiving a traditional education, he already demonstrated a craving for higher education and zionism. in 1912 he immigrated to palestine alone, laboring with the pioneers of the second aliyah and joining the hashomer organization. a year later, he departed for the u.s. with the intention of marrying his fiancée, who had by then arrived there from ukraine. the political situation—the outbreak of world war i—obstructed his plans to return at once with his family.