Teddy Kollek - A True Jerusalem Idol

“The greatest builder of Jerusalem since Herod."

Teddy Kollek was born in 1911 in a small village in Hungary. He was named Theodor after the father of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl. Kollek made Aliyah to British Mandate Palestine in 1935 and became involved in representing the Jewish interest with the Jewish Agency. In 1965, Kollek was elected as the Mayor of Jerusalem, a position he held until 1993.

During his time as Mayor, Kollek was instrumental in building Jerusalem into a modern city, and has been called “the greatest builder of Jerusalem since Herod."

Kollek played a large part in establishing and maintaining many well-known Jerusalem locations, including, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, the Israel Museum, and the Jerusalem Theater.

Kollek remained active and involved in Jerusalem's development until his death in 2007. Teddy Kollek is buried on Har Herzl.