November 24 1884 – April 23 1963 Dates of office: December 8 1952 – April 23 1963

Yitzchak Shimshelevitz (Ben-Zvi) was born on November 24, 1884. He was the eldest son of Zvi Shimshelevitz (Shimshi), a writer, scholar, and descendent of a distinguished and highly respected rabbinical family. Ben-Zvi was born in Poltava in the Ukraine to a Zionist family, and spent his early years studying at a Yeshiva. His father considered settling in the Land of Israel, but his plans did not materialize. In 1901 Ben-Zvi was accepted by the Gymnasium, and upon completion of his studies was admitted to the University of Kiev. His studies were suspended due to the general strike which broke out that year. In the pogroms of 1905, he was active in the Jewish self-defense of Poltava. At the end of that year, he organized the 'Poalei Tzion' party in the Poltava area, and afterwards became active in formulating the founding plan for the 'Poalei Tzion' party in Russia.

In 1907, Ben-Zvi immigrated to the Land of Israel. He served as a delegate of the 'Poalei Tzion' party at the 8th Zionist Congress, which was held in the Land of Israel, and was one of the founders of 'Bar-Giora' (1907) and the 'Hashomer' organization (1909). During World War I, Ben-Zvi was exiled from the Land of Israel, along with David Ben-Gurion, by the Ottoman authorities, for engaging in Zionist activities. In the United States, they established the 'Hahalutz' movement, which constituted the foundation for the Zionist Labor Movement in the United States. They were also among those who established the Jewish Congress. With the British conquest of the Land of Israel, there was increased enthusiasm to join the Hebrew Regiments, and Ben-Zvi and Ben-Gurion were among the first to volunteer. In 1918, they reached Egypt, and from there traveled to the Land of Israel as members of the Hebrew Regiment of the British Army.

As the beginning of 1908, Rachel Yanait immigrated to the Land of Israel, and, together with Ben-Zvi, administered the 'Poalei Tzion' party and the 'Hashomer' organization. They married in 1918. Yitzchak Ben-Zvi and Rachel Yanait were also among the founders of the Hebrew Gymnasium in Jerusalem in 1908, and the first of its teachers. They had two sons, Amram and Eli, who died in the War of Independence. During the Arab riots in Jerusalem in 1920-1921, Yitzchak Ben-Zvi helped found the 'Hagana' organization. As a life-long socialist, Ben-Zvi also helped found the General Workers Federation ('Histadrut') in 1920, and was elected to the secretariat of its workers' committee. In 1925, Ben-Zvi, along with David Ben-Gurion and Haim Arlozorov, represented the Federation at the British Empire Workers' Committee. Ben-Zvi also represented 'Ahdut Ha'avoda' at several other international congresses and at the Socialist International Congress. He dedicated much of his attention to Jerusalem, and its Jewish inhabitants. Ben- Zvi was a delegate to every Zionist Congress held in the 1920s. In 1927, he was elected Council Member of the Jerusalem Municipality. Following the 1929 riots, he left the municipality in protest, but in 1934, was re-elected to the council. When the National Committee was established, Ben-Zvi was elected as a member of the administration, and in 1931, he was elected Chairman, and from 1944 served as President. In 1947, Ben-Zvi founded the 'Institute for the Research of Israelite Communities in the East', known as the Ben-Zvi Institute.

Following the establishment of the State, Ben-Zvi was elected to the First and Second Knessets as a member of the 'Mapai' party. After the passing of President Chaim Weizman, Yitzchak Ben-Zvi was elected President on December 8, 1952. He resigned from the Knesset, and the Presidential Residence was moved to Jerusalem. He was known for his modesty and his open contact with the people, and the Presidential Residence consisted of humble wooden shacks. Twice a year, Yitzchak Ben-Zvi opened the doors of the Presidential Residence to all - during Sukkot and on Independence Day. From childhood, Yitzchak Ben-Zvi was interested in, and studied, the history of the Jewish People. His research focused on ethnic groups in Israel, mainly Oriental Jewish communities and their history, ritual and religious traditions and folk and traditional art. He also studied the Land of Israel and its ancient settlements, antiquities, researchers, population, peoples, poetry and traditions. His research, which was enabled by his interaction with various religious and ethnic communities, was published in 20 volumes.

In 1962, he was elected for a third term as President of the State (this was prior to the limitation of two successive terms).

Six months later, on April 23, 1963, Yitzchak Ben-Zvi died while in office. A year later, the Ben-Zvi Institute moved to the wooden shacks which served as the Presidential Residence during his terms of office, and the 'Yad Ben-Zvi' Memorial was implemented to honor his works.