Jewish leaders in all walks of life today mourned the death of Prof. Einstein and leading organizations issued statements emphasizing that besides being a great scientist. Dr. Einstein was also a great Jew who identified himself closely with Jewish interests.
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, said in a statement: “The passing of Prof. Albert Einstein is a shock to all humanity. The Jewish people is particularly grieved over the loss of one of its greatest figures of all times. As early as 1921, Prof. Einstein took leave from his study to join Dr. Chaim Weizmann in a delegation to the United States to further the Zionist program. He felt deeply the sorrows of his people; he reacted with the profoundest sympathy, and spared of time, invaluable to science, to bring solace to Jews everywhere, and assist in their restoration to the land of Israel. For this, his people have humbly cherished him.
“He was unique in the way he combined intellectual genius with real human greatness in his modesty, his love for human beings and unbound moral courage. The Jewish people with all mankind, at the hour of his passing, recalls with awe the genius and humility that was Prof. Einstein.”
William Rosenwald, general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, declared: “Prof. Einstein was ever ready with his aid and his sympathy for the oppressed and the homeless, for while the world chose to forget that he was once a refugee he never permitted himself to forget it. He was deeply interested in the establishment and building of Israel and he was devoted to the welfare of distressed Jewry everywhere.
“We of the United Jewish Appeal are proud that Professor Einstein served as an honorary chairman of the UJA from 1939 to 1944 and again in 1946 and that he gave continuous service as honorary chairman of the UJA of Princeton, N.J. His association with us will remain an inspiring memory. We join with the nation and the world in mourning his loss.”
Dr. George S. Wise, chairman of the board of governors of the Hebrew University and president of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, said: “The Hebrew University of Jerusalem mourns the death of Professor Albert Einstein, the honorary chairman of the Board of Governors of the University and the spiritual father of the University. Throughout the three decades of the existence of the Hebrew University, Professor Einstein has been the leading force in shaping the academic and organizational structure of the University; in lending encouragement to its teachers and students and in exercising a great moral and intellectual influence on the destinies of the Hebrew University.
“In recent years, Professor Einstein gave unsparingly of his time and efforts to right the great wrong of the exile of the Hebrew University from its home on Mr. Scopus and to obtain in the United States the means for the reconstruction of the new buildings of the University in Jerusalem,” Dr. Wise revealed.
(Statements issued by other Jewish organizations will be published tomorrow.)
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