Jacob Thon, 1880-1950

A founder of the Jewish National Council in pre-state Palestine, Thon with Arthur Ruppin founded the kibbutz in the Beit Shean Valley. Born in Poland, he immigrated to Palestine in 1907 and worked as the managing director of the Palestine Land Development Co., which bought large tracts in the Galilee. Thon also served as the chairman of the Jewish Community Council of Jerusalem.

Photo: Central Zionist Archives