Letter from Professor Albert Einstein - The Secret of the Jewish People's Existence is their Mutual Guarantee.

Letter from Professor Albert Einstein - The Secret of the Jewish People's Existence is their Mutual Guarantee.

Letter signed by Albert Einstein addressed to Mr. Wald, who was very active in rescuing Jews. Princeton, June 10th , 1939.

Interesting letter of appreciation addressed to Mr. Wald, who was very active bringing Jewish refugees from Germany to the United States. The letter contains interesting details regarding Einstein's perspective about the continuity of the existence of the Jewish people. Einstein writes that the mutual guarantee of the Jewish people is what has ensured its survival over thousands of years, and that the Jewish people has no other means of self-defense, except for solidarity, understanding and unity. The same unity which caused the Jewish people's long suffering from outside over the years is the same as that which has ensured its continuity. Einstein sees it as a truly holy cause, no less. Alongside these thoughts he expresses hope that just as our forefathers knew to support each other, the present generation will know to support each other.

An interesting detail about the letter is its date, as it was sent while the ship St. Louis, loaded with Jewish refugees, was returning from Cuba to Germany when no country was willing to accept them into its territory. This despite the fact that their fate upon return to Germany was expected, and indeed most of the passengers were killed in the Holocaust. It is possible that Einstein chose to write his letter in such a manner intentionally, against the backdrop of current events, in order to hint that they, the Jews, not rely on gentiles. Rather they must take care of themselves, which fits well with his Zionist doctrine.

[1] leaf. Stencil print with Einstein's signature. Including the original envelope in which it was sent in June, 1939.