Tzvi Nishri is the father of modern physical education in Palestine. The Hebrew language owes to Nishri its basic terminology of both physical education and sports, as well as its first professional
publications in these fields.

Nishri immigrated to Palestine in 1903 and, in 1906, after working as a laborer for several years in Petach Tikvah, became involved in physical education. Two years later he began teaching, and by 1912 he was training others to be physical education teachers.
In 1913, Nishri wrote the first of scores of publications he authored in Hebrew, for many years the only published works on physical education ever written in Hebrew.

Nishri is also one of the founders of the Maccabi and Scout movements in Palestine. He was professionally active until his death at age 95.