PROFESSOR Albert Einstein, whom all the world knows and honors as one of the very greatest scientists of all time, is also a great humanitarian. The foremost Jewish genius of our age is a modest, unassuming, kindly man, with a big heart and a keen sense of humor. He often tears himself away from his scientific work in order to help the causes which are most dear to him – the cause of Jewish regeneration of Palestine and the cause of world peace. He is deeply interested in the advancement of social justice and equality among the nations. He has pleaded passionately for victims of political, racial or religious discrimination and hate. And he has always personally aided needy scholars and students in Germany and elsewhere.
In Berlin, Dr. Einstein gave several private concerts for the purpose of raising funds to relieve students in distress. He gives the prestige of his great name, he gives his time, his beloved music, and he also makes personal financial contributions to help scholars who are suffering privations because of bigotry or race hatred.
Dr. Einstein played his violin the other evening in New York before a distinguished gathering and thus raised the sum necessary for relieving some of his personal friends and colleagues in Germany who have been dislodged from their academic positions under the present regime in Germany. His home in Berlin, his library, his savings, have been confiscated. But he is worrying more about the plight of his friends than about his personal losses.
In 1921 Dr. Einstein came to the United States to interest the Jews of America in the creation of a Hebrew University in Palestine. He appealed to some of the Jews of America for their moral and material support. At that time he said:
“In the advancement of science, Jews have always taken a noble part, but the fruits of their labors have not been reaped by Jewry. Is it conceivable that, in addition to the tragedy of Jewish science without a home, there could exist a Jewish national home without science? The traditional pride of the Jewish people in their learned men would never suffer such humiliation.”
Dr. Einstein was chiefly instrumental in the creation of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Dr. Einstein has identified himself with numerous constructive causes and has generously helped them whenever necessary. He aided the reconstructive work of the Ort and the Oze.
He shuns Honors and publicity, and cannot understand why people are so curious to see him and so eager to publish every word he says even in private conversation. He runs from honors, but honors run after him. For the immortal scientist is also one of our greatest humanitarians and philanthropists.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
