Albert Einstein 47 - dr. Einstein - Kurt Blumenfeld & Zionism Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Dr. Albert Einstein, throughout his creative life
Enjoyed many close friendships and associations
With a variety of people and communities,
Besides, scientists, scholars and artistes,
These friendships lasted throughout his life.
His affable nature, soft speech and gentle ways,
Endeared him to all kinds of people,
That included children and animals as well.
His love for humanity was visible in
All his work, speech and activities in life.

During the latter part of his life in Berlin,
After the war and his marriage with Elsa,
Einstein met Kurt Blumenfeld - a Zionist activist.
It ripened into good friendship.
Listening to Kurt Blumenfeld, Einstein after many years,
Revived his interest in Jewish history and heritage.
And an effort to establish a state for the Jewish people.
Einstein thanked Kurt Blumenfeld
For rekindling an interest in his Jewish origin
And ‘becoming aware of his Jewish soul'.


Zion is the name of a place in Hebrew Bible
Zion symbolises a journey or a search by a wandering tribe
Of people for a safe and secure homeland.
Zion is also a synonym for Jerusalem. Along with Blumenfeld
Einstein became interested in Zionism and began to support
The Zionist ideals of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
Though Einstein did not join any Zionist organisation,
He supported the creation of Israel as refuge for Jews.
Though personally Einstein mingled freely with diverse groups of people
He believed in the ‘power of community as a cohesive cultural force'.

In 1921, Einstein made his first trip to America.
One of his objectives was to raise funds for the Hebrew
University that the Zionists planned to establish in Jerusalem.
He strongly supported the founding of the University,
With emphasis on education and focus on science.
In 1923, Dr. Einstein with Elsa, visited Palestine
As a distinguished guest for the grand foundation ceremony
Of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Einstein gave
a speech on this historic occasion, reading few sentences in Hebrew.
He had the honour of laying the foundation stone of the campus's first building.

A Biographical Poem