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Ya'ackov Ben-Dov, Israeli photographer and cinematographer, born in Russian Empire, 1988-1968.

Ya'acov Ben-Dor was born in Palin, a town near Kiev (presently in Ukraine). After attending a Jewish religious school as a youngster, he studied at the Kiev Academy of the Arts. Active in the Zionist movement, he immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1907 and settled in Jerusalem. In 1908, he began studying at the Bezalel School of Art. After graduating, Ben-Dov joined the teaching faculty, establishing the school's photography department. In 1912, he published a book, "The Hebrew Colonies in the Land of Israel." Two years later, he opened a private photography studio specializing in portraiture.

During World War I, Ben-Dov served as a photographer for the Turkish army and won a medal for his service. As an officer in the Austrian Brigade, he was permitted to move around freely. After the British conquest of Palestine, he was elected to serve on the first Jewish municipal committee of Jerusalem. In 1917, Ben-Dov began to work as a filmmaker. He established the country's first film company, Menorah, which produced pioneering documentary films about the Jewish Yishuv in the Land of Israel. Among his most well-known films were "The Return to Zion" (1921) and "Tale of an American Tourist in Eretz Yisrael."

During his lifetime, Ben-Dov produced eight hundred postcards and six photographic albums. His family donated his negatives to The Israel Museum, the City of Jeruslaem and the Zionist Archives. His films are preserved in archives around the world, including the Steven Speilberg Jewish Film Archive.

Education

1899 Academy of the Arts in Kiev, Ukraine (Russia).
1908-10 Bezalel Academy of Art & Design, Jerusalem, Graduate

Teaching

1910 Bezalel Academy of Art & Design, Jerusalem, Photography

Awards And Prizes

Worthy Citizen of Jerusalem Award, Jerusalem Municipality