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Einstein Denounces Anti-Semitism in Academia

(1935)

In a 1935 letter by Albert Einstein denouncing anti-Semitism in American academia, the scientist wrote, “The hostile attitude of universities towards Jewish teaching staff and students has been increasing perilously, even though it manifests in a genteel or hypocritical manner.” He added, “Unfortunately, the current Jewish leaders do not comprehend the seriousness of the situation, similar to the German Jews in the time before Hitler. They believe that they are able to put an end to the problem by being silent and disregarding it, and they thus miss the time for creating places of support.” He also called establishing Jewish teaching institutions “an absolute imperative.”


Source: Rossella Tercatin, “Albert Einstein’s letter denouncing antisemitism in US academia on sale,” Jerusalem Post, (August 27, 2019).