The lesser known Jewish side of scientist Albert Einstein, including his commitment to Zionism, is revealed in a new exhibition launched in London this week.

Albert Einstein: Man of the Century, which opens on 15 September at Camden Town’s Jewish Museum, marks the centenary of the year in which Einstein made his ground breaking contributions to science.
The exhibition explores aspects of Einstein’s character, life and career through cartoons, documents, letters and historical artefacts. The renowned physicist, who was born in Germany, lived from 1879 – 1945.

Jewish commitment

Hanoch Gutfreund, professor of Physics at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and chairman of its Albert Einstein Exhibition Project, said: “Not many people know that outside of physics maybe Einstein’s most enduring commitment was his concern for the Jewish people.

“He was not particularly observant or religious but his respect of Judaism as a legacy and a community with human values was strong.”
Gutfreund said that Einstein became more aware of the religion at the age of 45 when he learnt about the phenomenon of anti-Semitism in Germany.
 

He was not particularly observant or religious but his respect of Judaism as a legacy and a community with human values was strong Hanoch Gutfreund

“It led him to the conclusion that Jewish national solidarity is essential and it also brought him to Zionist movement. In this context his most prominent commitment was to the establishment of the Jewish University in Israel,” he said.

Indeed Einstein’s last will and testament indicated that the Hebrew University should be custodian to his intellectual legacy.

Personal revelations

The exhibit reveals Einstein’s troubled personal life, his political and religious views and his identity as a Jew and a refugee.

He had extensive interests besides science, and was a keen sailor, cyclist and music lover.

Particularly humorous are the letters Einstein received from children who were as intrigued by his unruly hairstyle as they were eager to find answers to questions about the universe.

“The exhibition is not for scientists but for everyone,” said Prof Gutfreund. “It is a compact museum which has the advantage that since there is not too much space, the curators have to think hard about what is really important and what isn’t. And it shows.”

Albert Einstein: Man of the Century is at The Jewish Museum, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7NB, until January 8.

Tel. 00 44 20 7284 1997. Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-5pm.