Recha Freier was born as Recha Schweitzer on 29.10.1892 in Norden, Germany. She completed language studies at university, and worked as a teacher and folklore researcher. In 1919 she married Rabbi Dr. Moshe Issachar Freier. Her life took a turn in 1932, after a group of German Jewish youth, who had lost their jobs due to their being Jewish, approached her to help them find employment. Following this incident, Freier became active in the struggle against the difficulties with which the Jews of Germany were faced after the ascent to power of the Nazi party. That same year, she conceived and executed the vision of Youth Aliyah: the bringing of German youth from Germany to Palestine, and their absorption in various kibbutzim. The first group of Youth Aliyah arrived in Palestine that year, with the help of funds raised by Freier.
Freier's vision received official recognition at the Zionist Congress of 1933, when it was decided to found an official office that would manage the task of bringing German youth to Palestine. At the same time however, it was decided that Henrietta Szold, and not Recha Freier, would head of the project. Szold, with the experience she had gained in founding Hadassah, was perceived as more suitable for the managing of Youth Aliyah. From that year on, there was considerable tension between Szold and Freier, who continued to work tirelessly in order to bring more German youth to Palestine. Until 1939, Freier brought about 7000 children to Palestine.
In 1941 Freier immigrated to Palestine, and in 1943 she founded a project that provided education and assistance to children from struggling families. Freier also became active in the field of Israeli music. She set up a fund for Israeli composers, which promoted contemporary Israeli music.
In 1975, Freier received an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University. In 1981 she received the Israel Prize in recognition of her outstanding contribution to society.