2 6 4 D O C U M E N T S 2 6 6 , 2 6 7 S E P T E M B E R 1 9 2 8 266. To Abraham Adolf Fraenkel[1] Scharbeutz bei Lübeck [20? September 1928] Dear Colleague, It is true that I have officially withdrawn from the board of trustees and the aca- demic council of the University of Jerusalem. I can no longer bear part of the re- sponsibility for the improper leadership, especially since Mr. Magnes constantly exceeds the powers granted him, without having the necessary insight into the in- stitute’s needs.[2] Mr. Fodor, who is there as a biological chemist, has bitterly re- gretted accepting his post and is making desperate efforts to return to Germany. Even if he is a very nervous and sensitive man, the blame for the row lies not with him alone but instead to large extent with the tyrannical and negligent leadership.[3] As enthusiastically as I welcomed our Jewish scholarly institution, under the current circumstances I urgently discourage you from making yourself in any way dependent on these people. If you want to devote yourself to something, do it only for a short time and without endangering in any way your professorship at Kiel. If all this is unfortunately the case, I nonetheless hope that the principal Ameri- can groups in control will soon see that a radical change in the leadership is neces- sary if anything is to come of the thing.[4] Until then, however, caution is in order. Best regards, your A. Einstein 267. To Elisabeth S. Haldane[1] [Scharbeutz,] 20 September 1928 Dear Miss Haldane, We recently received the news that your brother’s days have come to a close and he has left you alone.[2] He was one of the most splendid and harmonious men that I have come to know. He made his great achievement with ease and with the finest joy, namely, the joy of serving his country and humanity. May you find consolation for the pain of parting in the fact that his life was entirely fulfilled, that it was com- pleted like a work of art. In sincere sympathy and with warm regards, your A. Einstein
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