In 1905, he published his first classic papers,
which offered a radically new understanding of the
structure of light, proved the existence of molecules,
and even more significant for the development of
modern physics, dealt with the nature of time and
space and the dynamics of individual moving bod-
ies; his postulations coalesced into what eventually
became known as the special theory of relativity.
The special theory of relativity led to the most
famous scientific formula of all, E=mc', which
shows the equivalence of energy and mass and
states they are interchangeable.
Due to later applications of his discoveries,
Einstein is sometimes perceived as "the father of
the atomic bomb," writes Ze'ev Rosenkranz in The
Einstein Scrapbook (Johns Hopkins University Press;
$22.50). Yet, says the Bern Dibner Curator in the
Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem's Jewish National and University Library,
"this is far from the historical truth."
When Einstein devised his equation, "he was
attempting to provide a theoretical descrip-
tion of physical phenomena and he did not
foresee any technological implications."
Einstein was concerned about
social justice, and was outspoken
against segregation, anti-
Semitism and nuclear
armament. As a paci-
fist, Einstein
opposed World War
II, but he was con-
cerned that
Germany would be
building an atomic
bomb.
Alarmed by the
Nazi threat, he
wrote a letter — on
Albert Einstein,
display at the
pictured at his first
exhibit — urging
job
as a technical
President Roosevelt
adviser at a patent
to develop atomic
office in Bern,
energy research. In
Switzerland
the aftermath of
World War II, he expressed his deep regret at hav-
ing sent the letter.
Jewish Roots
Einstein's Jewish heritage was important to him,
although he considered himself a cultural Jew and
not a religious one.
"He was not an observant Jew
and didn't have respect for the
religious establishment, but he
had a very strong commit-
ment and strong association
to the Jewish tradition," says
Hanoch Gutfreund, professor
and president emeritus of the
Hebrew University, which
Einstein named as the ultimate
repository of his papers.
"There was a
very brief
episode in
his life
when he
was 12
years
old
when, to the dismay of his parents, he wanted to observe
Jewish religion. He was impressed with a tutor his par-
ents brought in to teach him the essence of Judaism.
"But his parents were assimilated German Jews
and not interested in the religious aspect."
Einstein became an early target of anti-Semitism.
"That started during World War I, when Einstein and
three other intellectuals published a manifesto deplor-
ing Germany's invasion of Belgium," notes Gutfreund.
"In 1922, when the Jewish minister of foreign
affairs was assassinated by the veterans of the
German army, Einstein had every reason'to believe
he would also be a target.
"Later, a group of German scientists said Einstein's
physics was 'Jewish physics,' and it had no respect
for knowledge and truth in comparison to German
physics, which was based on experiments and not
speculation. When the Nazis came to power,
Einstein's books were burned."
Gutfreund says Einstein's personal experience with
anti-Semitism was one of the reasons for his com-
mitment to Zionism. Einstein was a founder of the
Hebrew University.
One of his greatest honors came in 1952, when he
was asked to become the State of Israel's second presi-
dent. He declined, feeling he wasn't qualified for the job.
Einstein died on April 18, 1955, of an aortic
aneurysm, at the age of 76.
In The Einstein Scrapbook, the great physicist is
quoted as saying: "The pursuit of knowledge for its
own sake, an almost fanatical love of justice, and the
desire for personal independence — these are the
features of the Jewish tradition which make me
thank the stars that I belong to it." ❑
"Einstein" runs at the American Museum of
Natural History, Central Park West at 79th
Street in New York City, through Aug. 10. The
museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission to "Einstein" is timed, and includes
entrance to the museum. Prices are $17/ adults;
$12.50/ students and seniors; $10/children.
For advance tickets, call (212) 769-5200.
o
Left to right, from opposite page:
Albert and second wife Elsa Einstein
m
B. (d. 1936) with Charlie Chaplin at the
premiere of "City Lights," 1931: In
reaction to the crowds gaping at both
of them in front of the theater, Chaplin
remarked to Einstein, "The people
applaud me because everyone
understands me, and they applaud
you because no one understands you."
Einstein in his Princeton home with
Jewish refugee children who survived
the Holocaust, March 1949
David Ben-Gurion visits Einstein
in Princeton, May 13, 1951.
Albert Einstein in his Princeton study 1945
Einstein with Rabbi Stephen Wise and
New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia at
dinner in honor ofWise's 60th birthday,
New York, March 1934
The earliest known photograph
of Albert Einstein
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