The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1921-05-11
Einstein on the Palestine
University
FAMOUS SCHOLAR IS PROMOTING
THE BUILDING OF A HEBREW
UNIVERSITY IN PALESTINE.


New York.-The New York Amer
lean" yesterday published the follow
ing interview with Professor Albert
Einstein, obtained by Mr.. Herman
Bernstein:
Professor Albert Einstein. who In
trOduced new scientific conception
of space and time and of their rela-
ton to the physical world. has come
to America not to eypound his theory
of relativity, but to interest the Jews
of America in the building Of He
brew University in Palestine.
The foremost Jewish genius of our
age Is modest, unassuming, kindly
gentleman, almost childlike in his
simplicity, with a keen sense of hu-
NOR.
Professor Einstein, who Is Swiss
citizen and professor of the Uni
tacks directed against him by Ger
man anti-Semites when their agitation
was intense. Writing to the London
Times he thus characterized wittily
the present tendency to discriminate
between men of science on national
list grounds:
''The description of me and my cir
cumstances in the Times shows an
amusing feat Of Imagination on the
part of the writer. By an application
of the theory of relativity to the taste
of the readers, today in Germany I
am called German man of science.
and in England I am represented as
Swiss Jew. II I come to be re
garded AZ q bette noire, the description
will be reversed and I shall become
German man of science for the Eng.
lish."
l interviewed Professor Einstein for
the New York American on the pur-
pose of his mission in America and
the needs of the University Of Je
rusalem. Answering my questions
Professor Einstein said; s.s.-.,..,.
'-The purpose Of my visit to Amer
ica at this time is to enlist both the
moral and material support Of the
Jews Of America for the building of
Hebrew university in Palestine.
"Such a university would assist
enormously in the upbuilding Of Pal
'estine, for it would become a spirit
ual centre of jewish education and
culture for the Jews in the Holy
Land. Later this university would
also attract Jewish students in other
lands, who would come to study In
Palestine.
But, above all, l consider 1t most
important that there exists this great
common Jewish cultural enterprise.
which is of the utmost Significance for
all Jews.
II have arrived at the decision that
such an institution of learning in Pal
estine is essential thru my contact
with Jewish students in various parts
of Europe.
II have met the Jewish students Of
Austria, Hungary and of Russia, who
are clamoring to complete their edu.
have seen the difficulties and hard
ships which these young men and
women are experiencing. 1 have OBJ
served the determinations, which
have become intensified since the
war.
Poverty, the economic collapse in
Central European countries. has fan
ned the flames of national hatreds
and the Jewish students have suffer
ed in Germany, in Poland and espe-
cially in Hungary. A large number
of Jewish students are barred from
the universities on religious grounds.
"The situation has been aggravat-
ed also by the fact that number Of
universities in Eastern Europe have
been closed altogether.
Many Of the students have come
to me for help. l have seen their
helplessness, their hardships and their
needs. And in this way 1 came to
the realization that Hebrew Uni
versity in Palestine Is an absolute
necessity for the Jewish people.
1.-THE traditional respect for knowl-
edge which we Jews have maintained
intact for many centuries Of severe
persecution makes us feel all the more
keenly the present discrimination
against so many talented sons and
daughters OF the Jewish people who
are knocking in vain at the doors of
the universities of Eastern and Cen
tral Europe.
"And those who have gained access
to the spheres Of free research bad
to do so by undergoing process OF