Johann Kremenezky

Jonas Yosipovich Levinson (later Yona Kremenezky) was born in Odessa. He was the owner of Kremenezky, Mayer & Co, a noted electric lighting company in Vienna.[2] In the summer of 1896, Kremenezky met with Theodor Herzl, leader of the Zionist movement, to discuss the implementation of modern technology in the future Jewish state.[3]

Kremenezky was the first chairman of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) from 1902 to 1907.[4] JNF's blue charity boxes were distributed by the JNF almost from its inception at the initiative of Kremenezky. Once found in many Jewish homes, the boxes became one of the most familiar symbols of Zionism. Additionally he sold stamps to raise funds.[5]

Grave of Kremenetzky

Kremenetzky Street, Tel Aviv

In 1930, he was awarded the Wilhelm Exner Medal[6] On 20 June 1956 a street was named after him in Vienna, called Kremenetzkygasse.[7]

Streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have been named for him.

• Salomon Wininger: Große Jüdische National-Biographie ("Lexicon of Jewish National Biographies"). Vol. 4. Chernivtsi 1930.
• Mascha Hoff: Johann Kremenezky und die Gründung des KKL. ("J. K. and the founding of the KKL"). Lang, Frankfurt/M. u. a. 1986, ISBN 3-8204-8773-5.