Letter from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Natural History, Dec, 2002 by Menachem Magidor

Dear Visitor:

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to be a partner, together with the American Museum of Natural History and the Skirball Cultural Center, in this unique exhibition, which gives the American public an opportunity to learn something of the multifaceted impact and complexities of the greatest mind of the 20th century.

Albert Einstein was one of the founding fathers of this University, which opened in Jerusalem in 1925 as part of the Zionist endeavor towards the re-establishment of the Jewish commonwealth in its ancient homeland. From the day of its establishment, The Hebrew University has been committed to the universal principles and spirit which were embodied by Einstein: the unremitting quest for scientific truth in an open pluralistic academic community embracing people of all creeds and from all nations in a continuing effort to serve all humanity. We are committed to these principles, serving Jews and Arabs alike, despite the recent bouts of violence that our region and university have suffered.

It is of great pride to us that Einstein bequeathed his archives and personal papers to The Hebrew University, and we are privileged to be the custodians of these papers, which are now kept in the Jewish National and University Library on the Edmond J. Safra campus of our university.

I hope that this exposure to the scientific work, to the personal and public life, and to the moral and spiritual legacy of one of the greatest minds of humanity, will be a rewarding and stimulating experience for the American public.

Professor Menachem Magidor

President