3 4 0 D O C U M E N T 2 0 7 J U N E 1 9 2 8 [9] During World War I, Magnes emerged as a leading figure in the American peace movement. He was an active member of the American Union against Militarism and of the People’s Council and advocated against the entry of the United States into the war. After the United States did begin to par- ticipate in the war, Magnes was suspected of being “pro-German” and was investigated by the Depart- ment of Justice. However, the allegations were proved to be unfounded (see Kotzin 2010, pp. 145–151). [10] During the summer and early fall of 1922, Magnes collaborated with Jews in Poland to find ways to raise the standards of their schools and to offer them assistance via the Joint Distribution Committee. Magnes was motivated to emigrate to Palestine because of his “dissatisfaction with his life in America and a Zionist impulse, one which convinced him that he could live a more authentic ‘Jewish life’ in Palestine.” The family arrived in Palestine on 2 November 1922 and settled in Jerusalem, just outside the northern wall of the Old City. Magnes’s wife, Beatrice Magnes-Lowenstein (1881–1968), was a founding member of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. The three sons were David (1910–1981), Jonathan (1912–1980), and Benedict (1914–1999) see Kotzin 2010, pp. 79, 168–169, and 176). [11] In Doc. 202, Einstein had described Magnes’s actions as “outrageously disloyal and downright destructive” (“unerhört illoyal und ausgesprochen destruktiv”) and as “parts of a large-scale sabotage plan aimed at preventing the realization of the sweeping reform we have demanded” (“Teile eines grossen Sabotageplans, um die Durchführung der von uns geforderten durchgreifenden Reform zu unterbinden”). [12] The original source of this quote seems to be Blaise Pascal: “Je n’ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n’ai pas eu le loisir de la faire plus courte” (“I only made this letter longer because I had not the leisure to make it shorter” see Pascal 1829, p. 366). [13] All of the cited points refer to passages in Doc. 201. [14] Selig Brodetsky. [15] Einstein had insisted on the appointment of an academic head for the Hebrew University and a clear definition of the head’s functions, rights, and obligations at the next meeting of the BOGHU (see Doc. 201). [16] The cited passage refers to the head’s functions and his appointment as ex officio chairman of the University Council (see Doc. 201). [17] Einstein expressed his agreement to the introduction of scientific and Oriental courses at the university (see Doc. 201). [18] He advised the BOGHU not to reach any decisions regarding the takeover of the Technion, cooperation with Hadassah, and the establishment of an agricultural institute until the academic head has had an opportunity to study these issues and make proposals to the BOGHU. Conversely, he approved the introduction of training courses for physicians (see Doc. 201). [19] Einstein expressed his opinion on collaboration with Arthur Felix, the appointment of a profes- sor of inorganic chemistry, and the retention of Edmund Landau (see Doc. 201). [20] He advocated that men who have the caliber of university teachers should be granted tenure whether they are professors or lecturers (see Doc. 201). [21] Presumably the Joint Palestine Survey Commission (see note 4). [22] Einstein had expressed his skepticism about Weizmann assuming the position of head of the university in Doc. 140. [23] Most likely an erroneous reference to Rudolf Ehrmann. [24] Presumably Doc. 202, although it was only addressed to Weizmann. [25] On the negotiations with Landau and Brodetsky for their possible appointment as academic head of the university, see Docs. 154 and 172.
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