Barukh Ben-Yehudah

Barukh Ben-Yehudah was born in 1894

Barukh Ben-Yehudah, born Leibowitz, was born in 1894 in Marijampole, Lithuania. His father Yaakov was a scribe, teacher and ritual slaughterer. He studied in a reformed cheder and a modern yeshiva, and was active in a Zionist youth movement from age 10.

In 1910 he came to the Land of Israel alone to study at the Herzliya Gymnasium, graduating in its second class. During World War I he helped found a youth group devoted to Hebrew education and taught Hebrew at Degania. In 1916 he moved to Rosh Pina, where he taught and later became the school principal.

In 1920 he received a scholarship to study mathematics and physics in Brussels, and earned a doctorate in mathematics teaching methods. He returned to teach at the Herzliya Gymnasium, where he also founded its scout troop. He wrote many textbooks and helped edit dictionaries and an encyclopedia for youth.

On 2 October 1947 he was chosen to head the education department of the Jewish National Council. After the state was founded he refused the post of minister and served as director-general of the Ministry of Education and Culture until 1952. He then returned to head the Herzliya Gymnasium and moved it to a new building.

He chaired the judges of the adult Bible quizzes and headed a teachers' council for the Jewish National Fund. He received the Israel Prize for education in 1979. He died on 20 July 1990.