Yaakov Dori facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yaakov Dori
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| Birth name | Yaakov Dostrovsky |
| Born | October 8, 1899 Odessa, Russian Empire |
| Died | January 22, 1973 (aged 73) Haifa, Israel |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom Israel |
| Service/ |
 Haganah British Army (World War 1) Israel Defense Forces |
| Years of service | 1917–1949 |
| Rank |  Rav Aluf (highest rank) |
| Commands held | Chief of Staff of the Hagana IDF Chief of Staff |
| Battles/wars | World War I 1948 Arab-Israeli War |
Yaakov Dori (Hebrew: יַעֲקֹב דּוֹרִי) was a very important leader in Israel's history. He was born as Yaakov Dostrovsky on October 8, 1899, and passed away on January 22, 1973. He became the very first Chief of Staff for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which is like being the top commander of the army. He also led the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, a famous science and technology university.
Contents
Yaakov Dori's Life Story
Early Life and Moving to Israel
Yaakov Dostrovsky was born in a city called Odessa, which is now in Ukraine. Back then, it was part of the Russian Empire. His parents were Tzvi and Myriam Dostrovsky.
In 1905, when Yaakov was young, his family moved to Palestine. They moved because of attacks against Jewish people in Odessa. Palestine was then part of the Ottoman Empire.
Education and Joining the Army
Yaakov finished high school at the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa. After that, he joined the Jewish Legion. This was a group of Jewish soldiers who fought with the British Army during World War I.
After the war, he went to study engineering at the University of Ghent in Belgium. He wanted to learn how to build and design things.
His Family
Yaakov Dori had three children who also achieved great things. His son, Yerachmiel Dori, became a commander in the Israeli Engineering Corps of the IDF.
His daughter, Etana Padan, is a biochemist. She is a professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His youngest son, Zvi Dori, was a Chemistry Professor at the Technion. He also started the first science museum in Israel, called Technoda.
Yaakov Dori's Military Career
Joining the Haganah
When Yaakov Dori returned to Palestine in 1926, he joined a secret Jewish defense group called the Haganah. He used the code name "Dan" to keep his identity safe. He quickly became the commander of the Haganah forces in Haifa.
Leading the Haganah
In 1939, Dori was chosen to be the Chief of Staff of the Haganah. He held this important job until 1946. His main task was to change the Haganah from a small self-defense group into a well-organized army.
From 1946 to 1947, he also led a group that went to the United States. Their mission was to buy weapons for the Jewish community in Palestine.
Becoming the First IDF Chief of Staff
When the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was created, Yaakov Dori became its very first Chief of Staff. This was a huge responsibility. However, he was not in good health during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Because of this, he relied a lot on his deputy, Yigael Yadin, to help lead the troops.
He finished his time as Chief of Staff on November 9, 1949, and then retired from the army. His deputy, Yadin, took over his role. Even after leaving the army, Dori continued to wear the officer's pin he received when he first became a second lieutenant.
After His Military Service
Leading in Science and Education
After leaving the IDF, Yaakov Dori continued to serve his country. He was appointed chairman of Israel's Science Council. This council worked closely with the Prime Minister's office to promote science.
In 1951, he became the president of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. He led this important university until 1965. The Technion is a leading school for science and engineering in Israel.
Remembering Yaakov Dori
Yaakov Dori is remembered as a key figure in the founding of Israel's military and its scientific development.
A large base for the Israel Defense Forces at Tel HaShomer is named after him. There is also a major road in Haifa and a street in Beersheba that carry his name. These places honor his important contributions to Israel.
