BEN DOV, YAAKOV

BEN DOV, YAAKOV (1882–1968), photographer and Israeli pioneer. Ben Dov was born near Zhitomir, Russia and studied photography in Russia. Emigrating to Palestine in 1908, he was one of the first students and graduates of the Bezalel School of Arts (now the *Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design), supporting himself during his studies by working as a photographer and publishing illustrated postcards and albums of life in the country. At the outbreak of World War i he was mobilized in the Austrian army and served as a medical photographer in the Austrian military hospital in Jerusalem. After acquiring equipment from Austria he made several documentary films, including one of General Allenby's entry into Jerusalem. He thus became one of the pioneers of film in Israel, but abandoned filmmaking upon the advent of sound movies.

After the liberation of Jerusalem from Ottoman rule in 1918 he devoted himself to communal matters and helped organize the artisans' center and their Savings and Loan Bank, and was one of the representatives of the artisans on the First Jewish Municipal Council. In this capacity he was invited to be present at the official announcement of the Balfour Declaration.

Ben Dov was a founder of the Talpiot Quarter of Jerusalem and initiated other projects for building new suburbs in and around Jerusalem. In 1966 he was appointed a Yakir Yerushalayim (an honored citizen of Jerusalem). His works have been exhibited at the Israel Museum.

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Tidhar, 4:1629–30.