Begin completed his primary and secondary education in Brisk, and then moved to Warsaw in 1931, where he attended the local Warsaw University. It was in 1935, following his graduation from college, that he became active in the Zionist movement. He worked for the Betar Zionist group, rising up as one of the most popular speakers for this movement among students in Warsaw. Only four years after graduation, Begin was appointed head of the Polish Betar group. He used this position to aggressively promote the emigration of Polish Jews to Israel due to the coming hostilities that appeared eminent with Nazi Germany.

Menachem Begin remained in Poland after World War II broke out and continued to promote Israel as a safe haven for European Jews until his arrest in 1940 by the Soviet government. He was sent to gulags in Siberia for a year, until being released in 1941. Following his release, Begin joined the Polish army and was shipped off to the Middle East.

He was put in charge of the National Military Organization when he arrived in the Middle East and directed it against the British rule that existed in Israel during his first years there. When Israel once again became a free state in 1948, Begin helped found the Herut party, which was represented by him in all elections from 1949 until 1981. The party merged with numerous others during its time to create the Likud, a political party consisting of several different factions.

He eventually ascended to the position of Prime Minister in Israel in the year 1977. He helped create the first national unity government in Israel during the years leading up to his election as Prime Minister. During his time in office, Begin’s greatest achievement was gaining a peace treaty with Egypt. Israel and Egypt had been at odds since the creation of an independent Israel in 1948. From his first year in office, Menachem Begin had strongly supported the pursuit of peace between the two countries. This culminated in 1978 with the Camp David Accords, a treaty ending hostilities. For this work, Begin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Egyptian President Sadat.

Begin went on to serve as Prime Minister until 1983, when he resigned from the post following the death of his wife, Aliza. He spent his remaining years in seclusion from the political spotlight, passing away in 1992.

Read more about Menachem Begin at these sites:  
www.ibiblio.org, www.knesset.gov.il, www.pmo.gov.il.